On November 14, 2024, a delegation of monastic members of the Russian Orthodox Church led by Patriarchal Exarch of Africa Metropolitan Constantine of Zaraisk visited the residence of the Coptic Patriarchs in Abbasiya (Cairo, Egypt) where they met with His Holiness Patriarch Tawadros II of the Coptic Church.
On the part of the Russian Orthodox Church, the following persons also participated in the meeting: Metropolitan Constantine of Zaraisk.
From the side of the Russian Orthodox Church, the meeting was also attended by Bishop Kliment of Krasnoslobodsk and Temnikovsky; Vicar of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa Bishop Evfimy of Lukhovitsky; Secretary of the Department for External Church Relations for Inter-Christian Relations, Secretary of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church Hieromonk Stephen (Igumnov); Abbot of the monastery «Cross Desert» Sochinsk Eparchy hegumen Lev (Gryzun); vicar of St. Michael the Archangel Monastery in the village of Kozikha Novosibirsk Eparchy hegumen Nikolai (Trachev); head of the theology department of the Moscow Theological Academy hegumen Adrian (Pashin); abbess of the Trinity-Georgia Women's Monastery in the village of Kozikha Abakan Diocese Archpriest Alexander Fominykh; senior lecturer of the Theology Department of the Moscow Theological Academy Priest Dimitriy Artyomkin; Hieromonk Mark (Akhmatkhanov) of the Russian Orthodox Church; Moscow Patriarchate staff members Nun Siluana (Chugunkina) and Nun Antonia (Potapova); representatives of monasticism Krasnoslobodskaya diocese; monks Nun Platonida (Veitzel) and Nun Serafima (Stonis); personal secretary of Metropolitan Konstantin of Zaraisk, Reader Vladislav Dendyuk; subdeacon V. Starkov. Starkov.
From the side of the Coptic Church at the meeting were present: Metropolitan Serapion of Los Angeles, co-chairman of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church; Metropolitan Daniel, chairman of the Patriarchal Commission for Monasteries and Monasticism; Bishop Severius, abbot of the monasteries of St. Thomas and St. Victor the Martyr in Hatatba; Bishop Cyril, Rector of the Coptic Theological Academy named after St. Cyril and St. Athanasius of Alexandria in the USA; Hieromonk Cyril Anba Bishoy, Head of the Personal Secretariat of the Coptic Patriarch; Hieromonk Daoud el-Anthony, representative of the Coptic Church in Russia; Hieromonk Dawood el-Anthony, Counselor to His Holiness Patriarch Tawadros A. Milad; Head of the Patriarchal Department for the Implementation of Church Projects B. Soliman; Secretary General of the Institute of Coptic Studies I. Agban.
The Coptic Church Primate warmly welcomed the delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Primate of the Coptic Church cordially welcomed the delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate: «Dear lords, fathers, brothers and sisters, welcome to Egypt! Our land has been under the strong Divine intercession since the Old Testament times. In the New Testament it was sanctified by the Holy Family itself, the holy Apostles, a host of martyrs, hermits and the righteous, who were the true salt of the earth and the light of the world (see Matthew 5:13-14). The Russian land — Holy Russia is also specially preserved by God. Every meeting and opportunity to communicate with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church — our sister Church — is a great joy for my heart. Every such meeting — is a blessing from above granted to us.
Holy Patriarch Tavadros II warmly recalled his visits to Russia in 2014 and 2017 and his meetings with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. «I ask you to convey invariably the kindest greetings and heartfelt wishes to my beloved Sobrat — His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, — said he. The personal attention and love that the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church shows to me and, in my person, to the entire Coptic people, the Christian people of Egypt, is truly dear. This love is felt by our believers all over the world, but especially by those who live in Russia. I know how heavy the cross of the Patriarch of All Russia is, especially in these difficult times of trials for your homeland and for all mankind. My deepest prayers — with His Holiness and the entirety of the Russian Orthodox Church, with God-protected Russia and its great people».
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«The Coptic Church endeavors to do its part in constructive initiatives that promote reconciliation and dialogue, including among the traditional Christian communities close to us. I thank God for the opportunity to hold the Conference of the Local Orthodox and Ancient Oriental Churches on Egyptian soil this September. I am glad for the active and fruitful participation of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church in this meeting. It can rightly be called a historic event — there have been no such meetings for more than 30 years. This roundtable meeting was very productive» — His Holiness also noted.
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Holy Patriarch Tawadros emphasized noted the fact that the third round of theological consultations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church, as well as the fifth meeting of the Bilateral Dialogue Commission, are taking place in Egypt at the same time as the visit of the delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate.
His Holiness emphasized the importance of the initiatives implemented within the framework of the Commission, stating the success and efficiency of its work: «I highly appreciate the labors of the Commission for Dialogue between our Churches. God willing, next year it will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Time itself has convincingly proved how important and correct was the decision to establish it. Our Churches carry out a variety of mutually enriching cooperation. Undoubtedly, the basis of all these joint endeavors is brotherly love, which is shared by millions of our faithful. The fellowship of our monastics is especially significant, for they pray for the whole world, for all people as one people of God. I believe that in His great mercy the Lord will bless His people with peace (Psalm 28:11)».
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In his response on behalf of the delegation, Metropolitan Constantine of Zaraisk conveyed to His Holiness Patriarch Tawadros II the greetings and good wishes of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, and expressed gratitude for the hospitality and hospitality always shown to those visiting Egypt to representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Metropolitan Constantine noted that it is of great importance for him to arrive on Egyptian soil as Patriarchal Exarch of Africa. Vladyka stated that there is a great potential for further strengthening of friendly and trusting relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church: «For centuries there have been fraternal relations between our Churches. In the last decade, they have reached a particularly high and trusting level, thanks in large part to the personal role of Your Holiness and the Primate of our Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. We fully share Your Holiness' appreciation of the work of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church and your conviction regarding the special importance of mutual visits of monastics and the exchange of monastic experience. We will continue this invaluable project and will lovingly receive in Russia reciprocal Coptic delegations.
The Patriarchal Exarch of Africa thanked His Holiness Patriarch Tawadros for the assistance of the Coptic Church in the care of Russian-speaking Orthodox believers living in Egypt. Metropolitan Constantine also expressed his gratitude for the firm position expressed by the Coptic Church in favor of the Russian-speaking Orthodox faithful living in Egypt. The Coptic Church in support of Orthodox Christians in Ukraine.
A number of other issues of mutual interest were discussed during the lengthy communication.
EVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
