DECR chairman meets with Ambassador of Australia to Russia

On June 12, 2017, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, met with H.T. Peter Tesch, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Russian Federation. The meeting took place at the parish residence of the Moscow church dedicated to the “Joy to All the Afflicted” icon of the Mother of God.

Metropolitan Hilarion warmly greeted the guest in the territory of the famous church with rich history and traditions.

Ambassador Tesch shared his deep impression of the meeting with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on September 20, 2016.

DECR chairman told Mr.Tesch about history and life of the Russian diaspora on the Australian continent members of which are mostly Orthodox.

While discussing the situation in Ukraine, Metropolitan Hilarion said that schismatics continue attempts of seizing Orthodox churches and expressed his concern over the recent plans to discuss at the Verkhovna Rada the discriminatory bills aimed against canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.