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Archimandrite Philaret (Bulekov), vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, celebrated his jubilee birthday at the DECR premises on January 11, 2018.

DECR chairman Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk read out congratulatory address, in which another remarkable date was noted, namely the 30th anniversary of Archimandrite Philaret ministry to the Russian Orthodox Church. This ministry included his work as secretary at the Representation of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East in Damascus; rector of the Russian Orthodox parish in Johannesburg, SAR; representative of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Council of Europe and rector of the parish of All Saints in Strasbourg.

By the decision of the Holy Synod Archimandrite Philaret was appointed a vice-chairman of the DECR in March 2011 at the request of Metropolitan Hilarion and recently – head of the chair of external church relations at the Ss Cyril and Methodius Theological Institute of Postgraduate Studies.

Metropolitan Hilarion expressed his appreciation of Archimandrite Philaret’s work, wished him the joy of the spirit, without which feast is impossible, as his heavenly patron, Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow, once said, and gracious help from the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ. DECR chairman added: “Let the next fifty years of your life be also active and fruitful.”