Second meeting of the Joint Working Group for cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Norway

SECOND MEETING OF THE JOINT WORKING GROUP FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THE EVANGELICAL-LUTHERAN CHURCH OF NORWAY

The second meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) for cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Norway took place at the Department for External Church Relations on February 10-11, 2003. The working group was established with the blessing of His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in December 2000.

Orthodox participants in the event were a JWG co-president Bishop Tikhon of Arkhangelsk and Kholmogory, a DECR vice-chairman Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, the rector of the parish of the Holy and Equal to the Apostles Princess Olga in Oslo Hieromonk Clement (Huhtomaki) as well as staff members of the DECR secretariat for inter-Christian relations Rev. Andrey Yeliseyev and Mrs M. Nelyubova. Members of the Norwegian delegation were a JWG co-president Bishop Per Oskar Kjolaas of Tromsjo, the Secretary General of the Council on Ecumenical and International Relations Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, the regional coordinator for Europe of the Norwegian Inter-Church Aid Marit Lindheim and secretary Atle Staalesen.

During the meeting, the participants discussed pastoral ministry for Russian-speaking people in Norway, especially in Kirkines, Tromsjo and in the Spitzbergen Archipelago, as well as problems of participating children from mixed families in church sacraments. They outlined ways for cooperation in religious education under conditions of the Lutheran faith dominating in Norway.

The Joint Working Group has developed and is successfully realizing a program of religious ministry for AIDS-infected people and prevention of the AIDS expansion.

The participants also touched on the 12th Conference of European Churches Assembly to be held in Tronheim in June-July 2003 and discussed changes in the structure and work style of WCC.

During their stay in Russia the Norwegian delegation has an opportunity to visit St. Sergius’ Lavra of the Holy Trinity and the Moscow Theological Schools, Christ the Savior Cathedral and St. Dmitry’s Vocation School of the Sisters of Mercy and a Church-run retirement home. On February 10, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway Oiwind Nordsletten met with JWG members and gave a reception in their honor.