Theological dialogue with the Evangelical Church in Germany

THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE WITH THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN GERMANY

On June 2, 2002, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Patriarchal Parish of the Intercession in Dusseldorf, opening the next round of the dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Church in Germany. Metropolitan German of Volgograd and Kamyshin conducted the service together with Archbishops Longin of Klin, Feofan of Berlin and Germany, local clergy and priests-members of the Moscow Patriarchate delegation to the Theological Dialogue. The Liturgy was also attended by members of the Russian Embassy and the delegation of the Evangelical Church in Germany headed by Bishop Koppe.

After the service Archbishop Longin made a speech stressing good understanding in relations between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Evangelical Church in Germany which began with a visit of Rev. Martin Nimoeller to the Soviet Union after World War II. His Eminence Longin thanked the Evangelical Church in Germany for her assistance to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan German, head of the delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate at the Theological Dialogue, spoke on the significance of interreligious dialogue for establishing good relations between Churches.

His Eminence German presented Archbishop Longin with the Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, 2^nd degree. Archbishop Longin was rewarded with this high decoration by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy on the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of his episcopal ministry celebrated on October 11, 2001.

In the evening of June 2, the first session of the Theological Dialogue took place.

On June 5, Praeses Kock, chairman of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, gave a reception in honour of the Russian and German participants in the Theological Dialogue.