DECR chairman meets with Turkish ambassador to Russia

On February 3, 2017, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR), met at the DECR with Turkish Ambassador to Russia Huseyin Lazip Dirioz.

The DECR side was also represented by Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR vice-chairman, and Rev. Dimitry Safonov, DECR secretary for interreligious relation. Present in the meeting from the Turkish embassy was also the first counsellor Mr. Murat Dikmen.

Metropolitan Hilarion informed the ambassador about various aspects of the work carried out by the Russian Orthodox Church today, including in international arena.

They discussed various matters of mutual concern. Metropolitan Hilarion spoke, among other things, about the cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Turkish Presidency for Religious Affairs and expressed hope for continuation of the constructive cooperation.

DECR Communication Service