Organizing Committee for Days of Russia in foreign countries holds its session at the DECR

On 6 September 2011, the Organizing Committee for Days of Russia in foreign countries to include activities of a spiritual nature took place at the Department for External Church Relations (DECR). Its chairman, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Deputy Culture Minister Pavel Khoroshilov, and Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov chaired the meeting.

Also taking part in the meeting were hegumen Philaret (Bulekov), DECR deputy chairman; archpriest Sergiy Zvonarev, DECR secretary for far abroad countries; archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, DECR secretary for inter-Orthodox relations; other DECR staff members; and deacon Andrei Shumkin, assistant to the head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Management for Institutions Abroad.

The Ministry of Culture was represented by Ye. Selezneva, director of the Department of International Cooperation; and N. Dikova, head of the Department’s section for Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

The participants approved the draft rules for the Organizing Committee for Days of Russia in foreign countries to include activities of a spiritual nature and considered other substantial points.

Ms. Selezneva informed the participants of the draft design of the Cathedral of St. Sava in Belgrade and of the events planned by the Ministry of Culture for the Days of Russia. L. Yezhov, general director of the “Russian Athos” Centre of Orthodox Art presented proposals on exhibitions of Orthodox art in foreign countries. A. Cheremin, counsellor of Restek exhibition association spoke of the “Orthodox Rus’ in Germany” exhibition due to be held in 2012.