Archbishop Hilarion meets with Ambassador of the Lithuanian Republic to the Russian Federation

On 20 January 2010, Ambassador Antanas Vinkus of the Lithuanian Republic to the Russian Federation gave a dinner in honour of Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for external church relations.

Present were Andrias Tuckus, counselor of a European Parliament deputy, and Juosas Budraitis, cultural attaché of the Embassy of the Lithuanian Republic and national artist of Lithuania.

A wide range of topics was discussed, including the upcoming celebration of the 20^th anniversary of independence of the Lithuanian Republic and prospects of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill’s visit to Lithuania. An important topic of the discussion was a closer cultural cooperation between the Lithuanian Republic and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Archbishop Hilarion thanked the Government of Lithuania for support extended to the Lithuanian diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Ambassador Vinkus conveyed deep respects of the President of Lithuania Dali Gribauskaite to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill and her heartfelt gratitude for His Holiness’ greetings with the Nativity of Christ.

In conclusion of the meeting held in a friendly atmosphere the DECR chairman presented Ambassador Vinkus with his book “Patriarch Kirill. His Life and World Outlook.”