Patriarch Alexy sends greets the participants in the 5th session of the Joint Theological Commission on ‘Islam-Orthodoxy’ Dialogue
(Teheran, Iran, 27 February – 4 March 2006)

On 27 February 2006 in Teheran (Iran) with the blessing of the Holy Synod, the 5^th session of the Joint Theological Commission on ‘Islam-Orthodoxy’ Dialogue opened. The Commission was set up in the result of the visits exchange between Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, and Aytolla Ali-Tashiri, Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Culture and Relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in 1996 and in 1997. The first meeting of the Commission was held in 1997.

This session is devoted to Orthodox and Muslim view on eschatology. His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent the following welcome address.

To the participants in the 5^th session of the Joint Theological Commission on ‘Islam-Orthodoxy’ Dialogue
(Teheran, Iran, 27 February – 4 March 2006)

I heartily greet the participants in the 5^th session of the Joint Theological Commission on ‘Islam-Orthodoxy’ Dialogue.

It is gratifying to see that religious and state leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran are active supporters of the dialogue between civilizations.

Active cooperation between the followers of the two religions is promoted by similar understanding of many aspects of relations among religion, state and society and important role of religion in social processes, including attainment of civil accord on the basis of moral principles in society. We work together to consolidate peace and justice, to prevent and overcome interethnic conflicts and not to allow exploitation of religious feelings for kindling hatred.

Our Church shares the conviction that a global conflict could be prevented and local conflicts could be settled only if all nations develop freely and all historically formed civilizations have unrestricted influence on the fortunes of the world.

Our Church is willing to continue and develop dialogue with the Iranian religious leaders.

I hope this meeting on eschatology in Orthodoxy and Islam will contribute to the development of dialogue and cooperation between our religious communities and our nations.

+ALEXY,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA