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On July 26, 2016, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations (DECR), met at the DECR grand hall with a delegation of Israeli diplomats representing Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security Council, Defense Ministry and other state structures. Participating in the meeting was Ms. O. Mazur, DECR secretariat to the far-abroad.

Metropolitan Hilarion spoke about today’s service of the Russian Orthodox Church, church-state partnership, the state of interreligious dialogue in the country, as well as joint initiatives of the Moscow Patriarchate and other traditional religious associations.

The archpastor stressed that ‘the faithful of our Church have a special feeling for the Holy Land, where Israel is situated’ and that ‘the religious factor has always occupied a visible place in the relations between our peoples’. He expressed hope for a continuation of cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the State of Israel.

In conclusion of his remarks, Metropolitan Hilarion answered questions from the guests.

 DECR communications Service