Patriarch of Antioch’s representative in Moscow gives farewell reception for Apostolic Nuncio in Russia Antonio Mennini

Archbishop Niphon of Philippopolis, representative of the Patriarch of Antioch to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, gave a reception on February 6, 2011, in honour of Archbishop Antonio Mennini who is completing his mission to Russia as Apostolic Nuncio.

Present at the reception were ambassadors of various states and representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry. There were also Mgs Visvaldas Kulbokas, first secretary of the Embassy of the Holy See to Russia, and Rev. Canon Simon Stephens, dean of St. Andrew’s Anglican parish in Moscow. The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by Archpriest Nikolay Balashov.

In his speech, Archbishop Mennini stressed that his stay in Moscow gave him an opportunity not only to serve the development of constructive relations between the Holy See and Russia and between the Roman Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, but also to enrich his personal spiritual experience with intimate knowledge of the spiritual tradition of Holy Rus’.

DECR Communication Service