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On 23 September 2016, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, met with Mr. Philip Vučak, Croatia’s charge d’affaires ad interim to Russia. They were joined in the meeting by archpriest Sergy Zvonarev, DECR Secretary for Far-Abroad Countries.

Metropolitan Hilarion welcomed the guest to the DECR, noting Mr. Vučak’s experience as Croatia’ Ambassador to the Holy See and telling him about the relationships between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church that gained new impetus after the historic meeting of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia with His Holiness Pope Francis in Havana on February 12.

Among other issues discussed at the meeting were fraternal contacts between the Moscow and the Serbian Patriarchates, the Council in Crete, and the revival of church activities in Russia in the past decades.

According to the diplomat, Croatia has a positive experience of dialogue and good neighbourly relations between the communities of the Roman Catholic Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan Hilarion expressed his hope that during his stay in Moscow Mr. Vučak would have an opportunity to learn more about today’s life and ministry of the Russian Church.

DECR Communication Service