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On January 21, 2021, the Council for Cooperation with Religious Associations under the President of Russia met for a regular session. It was chaired by Mr. A. Vaino, head of the Presidential Administration.

The meeting was attended by religious leaders, experts, officials of the federal executive bodies and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna, Patriarchal Vicar of the Diocese of Moscow; Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations; Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church Education Committee; and Mr. V. Legoida, chairman of the Synodal Department for Church-Society Relations.

Mr. V. Legoida, a member of the Council, delivered remarks on the social service carried out by religious communities in the period of difficult and emergency situations. A high assessment was given to the cooperation of the state and religious organizations in implementing social and charitable projects during the pandemic. The Council members also pointed to the importance of vaccination against the coronavirus of a new type.

The meeting also considered the work with the faithful in the Russian Federation Armed Forces. A report on this topic was made by the first deputy head of the Main Political Directorate of the Russian Federation Armed Forces, Mr. A. Tsygankov.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, in his remarks, underscored the importance of developing theology. At the proposal of Council members, a decision was made to establish a Council for Developing Theological, Religious and Spiritual-Ethical Education.

DECR Communication Service