Metropolitan Hilarion meets with Huno von Hostein-Gottorp, Duke of Oldenburg, and Duchess Felicitas-Anita
On 3 March 2011, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), met with Huno von Hostein-Gottorp, Duke of Oldenburg, and his wife, Duchess Felicitas-Anita. They were joined in the meeting, which took place at the DECR premises, by Rev. Alexander Vasyutin, a staff member of the DECR secretariat for Inter-Christian relations, and M. Kiselyov, from the DECR Secretariat for far abroad countries.
The high guests have come to Moscow from Germany to take part in the meeting dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the end of serfdom in Russia, “Great Reforms of Emperor Alexander II – a Successful Example of Modernization.”
Metropolitan Hilarion noted with appreciation that his guests have attached great significance to the upholding of Christian identity in Germany and Europe, this being in tune with the position of the Russian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Hilarion recalled that the Duke of Oldenburg presided at the Assembly “Christian World in the 3rd Millennium” that took place in St. Petersburg in 2004.
The Duke of Oldenburg emphasized the necessity of cooperation between all creative forces and the Russian Orthodox Church in preserving European Christian traditions.
Towards the end of the meeting, the participants exchanged presents.