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On 10 November 2010, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, currently on a visit to Ukraine with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, met with intellectuals in Donetsk. Faculty and students of the higher education establishments, workers of culture, including those of theatres and museums, and journalists gathered at the large hall of the Donetsk Regional Philharmonic Society.

A documentary produced by Donetsk filmmakers about the DECR Chairman was shown.

Metropolitan Hilarion shared his views on culture, education, and relationship between culture and the Church.

The DECR Chairman said: “The word ‘culture’ is derived from the Latin ‘cultura,’ meaning ‘to cultivate.’ We cultivate the earth in order to have harvest; we should likewise cultivate our souls and hearts… At the same time, ‘culture’ is related to ‘cult.’ Meaning divine service.

“For many centuries, all culture “was kneaded on religious leaven.” Secular culture has appeared quite recently, in the Age of Enlightenment, but close connection between culture and faith has last well up to now.

“Attempts to create a non-religious culture have brought about anti-culture that has a disastrous effect on the shaping of individuals.

“One of the dangers of modern mass culture lies in that it does not give clear aesthetic land marks. If children watch animated cartoons with monsters as main characters, they would get accustomed to abnormality.

“If we want to foster moral principles in human beings, we should also foster aesthetic principle in them, this being an educational role of culture.”

Talking about the history of culture, including the history of music in the 20th century, the DECR chairman noted with appreciation that the ‘cult of abnormality’ disseminated by composers avant-gardists is been replaced by the return to religious themes that inspired such renowned composers as Arvo Pärt, John Tavener, or Nikolai Guretsky.

Metropolitan Hilarion answered questions from the audience. Religious hymns by different composers were performed during the meeting by the Donetsk adults’ and children’s choirs.