Russian Orthodox Church representative takes part in events included in papal visit to Poland

On May 27-28, Rev. Igor Vyzhanov, Moscow Patriarch department for external church relations secretary for inter-Christian relations, took part in the events held in Krakow on the occasion of the visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Poland, at the invitation of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow.

In the evening of May 27, he was present at the Pope’s meeting with youth, which took place in the open at the Blonia district in Krakow, and in the morning of May 28, he attended the Mass celebrated by Benedict XVI at the same district.

After the Sunday service, the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church met with the Pope of Rome to greet him on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia.

After the festive dinner at the refectory of the Franciscan monastery in Krakow, Father Igor exchanged greetings with Polish President Leh Kacinski, who was also present at the dinner.

Rev. Igor Vyzhanov also met with Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. During their talk the need was stressed for cooperation between Christians in Poland and Russia in advocating Europe’s traditional spiritual values.

The DECR secretary also had a meeting with the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Walter Kasper. They discussed the present state of relations between of the two Churches and prospects for their development.

In the evening of May 28, the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church attended the solemn seeing-off of Pope Benedict XVI back to Rome.