His Holiness Patriarch Kirill’s greeting to participants in the 13th session of the Forum “Dialogue of Civilizations”
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill sent a message of greetings to the organizers, participants and guests of the 13th annual session of the World Public Forum “Dialogue of Civilizations” (Rhodes, Greece, 8-12 October 2015). The text of the message is given below.
Dear organizers, participants and guests of the forum,
I cordially greet all those who have gathered on the island of Rhodes to take part in the forum which, in the years that have passed since its first meeting, has become an important platform for discussing various issues of inter-civilization dialogue.
It is gratifying that the forum brings together different people who are united in their sincere striving to establish in society the ideals of peace, good and mutual help.
Your meeting is being held in a time of challenges, when the language of hatred, enmity and threats is used with ever increasing frequency and when various confrontations bring pain and suffering to thousands of innocent people. It is particularly grievous that conflicts split the whole nations, as is the case in Ukraine.
We are deeply concerned over the situation of Christians in the Middle East and North Africa. The very existence of Christian population in the regions, where Christians have lived for two thousand years, is at risk today.
What is needed to defend peace and fellowship nowadays is not only persuasive words, but also vigorous actions. I hope that the participants in the Forum “Dialogue of Civilizations” will make their considerable contribution to the establishment in society of such values, as justice, mutual support and good.
I wish the participants in the forum fruitful discussions, God’s help and success in all their good endeavours.
+KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA