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July 25, 2013, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with His Beatitude Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria and All Africa at the patriarchal and synodal residence in the St. Daniel Monastery.

Welcoming his guest, Patriarch Kirill said in particular, ‘I am closely following your trips and can see how you talk with diplomats and even visit Russian naval vessels. It all speaks of our people’s loves for you as their archpastor, also because you know the Russian language and love our country and our people’. He also congratulated the Patriarch of Alexandria on the consecration of a new bishop for African countries, Bishop Innocent of Burundi and Rwanda: ‘It is a right way to create local hierarchy who are close to their people, who can speak their language and respect their customs. They will be responsible for the missionary work in African countries’.

Patriarch Theodore spoke of his missionary trips in Africa. He expressed the wish that students who have been trained in Alexandria could continue their training in Russian theological schools.

They also addressed the situation in the Middle East and North Africa. ‘My heart is grieving over the troubled situation in Egypt now with its shootings and explosions’, Patriarch Theodore said, expressing the hope that the clear position taken by the Russian Orthodox Church with regard to this problem will help stabilize the situation.

After the meeting Patriarch Kirill presented Patriarch Theodore with the Order of Glory and Honour, 1st degree. Metropolitan Athanasios of Cyrene with the Order of St. Vladimir, 2nd degree, and Archimandrite Meletios (Koumanis), head of the Patriarch of Alexandria’s personal secretariat, with the Order of St. Vladimir, 3d degree.

DECR Communication Service

Photos by Patriarchal Press Service