Metropolitan Hilarion takes part in the meetings of His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew with the leadership of Nevşhehir Province

On 28 June 2010, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, currently on a pilgrimage to Cappadocia, took part in the meetings of His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople with the Governor of Province Osman Audin, Nevşhehir Mayor Hasan Ünver, and with Mayors of Mustapha-Pasha and Ürgüp.

Discussed during the talks held in a benevolent spirit were the strengthening of the good-neighbourly relations and tolerance in Turkish society, and the role of religions in the development of a dialogue among cultures and civilizations.

Metropolitan Hilarion shared his impressions of visiting Christian monuments in Cappadocia. He expressed his hope for the increase of the number of pilgrims and tourists from Russia to this land and remarked that people in Russia and other countries with the majority of Orthodox population look favourably upon the permission given by Turkish authorities to celebrate divine services at the historic Christian holy sites.

The DECR chairman underscored the importance of the recent visit of His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew to the Russian Orthodox Church and of his meetings with Russian state leaders for the strengthening of friendly relations between the peoples of Turkey and Russia.