Metropolitan Kirill Begins his Visit to Berlin
20.02.2005 · English, Архив 2005
On 20 February 2005 Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, began his visit to Berlin.
Programmed for Metropolitan’s stay in the capital of Germany are meetings with the leading political and public figures of the FRG, his address to the deputies of Bundestag and a public discussion of the problems of human dignity with the Christian leaders of Germany. This programme is organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Metropolitan Kirill began his stay in Berlin with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection of Christ. Concelebrating were Archbishop Feofan of Berlin and Germany and clergymen of the Berlin diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Metropolitan Kirill delivered a sermon on the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. He emphasized: ‘Spiritual work in imitation of a humble behaviour of the Publican before the Lord is not only a penitential repetition of his penetrating words: Lord, have mercy upon me, a sinner. It is first and foremost our steadfast following to the truth of God and resolute renunciation of the temptation of false ideals. This is, indeed, a difficult work’.
‘An opinion exists in certain circles that a choice of religion is a lot of weak people, – Metropolitan Kirill continued. – Yet, I am convinced that only morally and spiritually strong people can live a true religious life, as our faith always encourages us to move against the currents of everyday life. We can realize this only by the strength of the spirit.’
After the Liturgy Metropolitan Kirill greeted clergymen and laymen of the Berlin diocese. He noted the importance of the Russian Orthodox Church for spiritual unity and moral support of the compatriots of different nationalities who live beyond the borders of the Fatherland. Metropolitan Kirill thanked all active members of the Orthodox community, as through their zealous work and care the repairs of the cathedral church of the Berlin diocese have become possible.
After the Divine service Metropolitan Kirill visited the recently established Centre of Information and Education at the Berlin diocese. The work of the Centre includes catechetical classes for children and adults, courses of foreign languages and lectures. Staff members of the Centre give consultations and legal support to the Russian-speaking compatriots in their placing in a job, education and social protection.
The Berlin diocese gave dinner on the occasion of Metropolitan Kirill’s visit. Among those present were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation V.V.Kotenev, senior counsellor of the Russian Embassy V.M.Sazonov, counsellor of the Embassy A.A.Kuleshov, and clergymen of the diocese.
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