On November 18, 2024, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk visited the Republic of Serbia in continuation of his working trip within the Serbian Orthodox Church. In the city of Banja Luka, Metropolitan Anthony and his accompanying delegation, consisting of the advisor to His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Protopriest Nikolai Balashov, Vice-Chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church's Central Executive Committee Protopriest Igor Yakimchuk and Secretary of the Chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church, Priest Nikolai Vasin, visited the Church of the Holy Trinity and worshipped the relics of the holy martyr Platon, Bishop of Banyaluk.
Then the guests from the Russian Orthodox Church went to the diocesan center of the Metropolis of Banyaluk, where they were received by Archbishop and Metropolitan Ephraim of Banyaluk.
The meeting was also attended by Bishop Savva of Marčanska, the vicar of the Banjaluka diocese, the representative of the Patriarch of Serbia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Bishop Stefan of Remezia, the advisor to the President of the Republic of Srpska on religious issues Marko Romich.
With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Anthony presented Metropolitan Ephrem with an award of the Russian Orthodox Church — the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (II degree). Congratulating the awardee, Metropolitan Anthony emphasized that Metropolitan Ephrem is known and appreciated in the Russian Orthodox Church as a long-standing and good friend, who puts a lot of effort for the rapprochement of the two Churches and the strengthening of Orthodox unity. The Chairman of the All-Russian Orthodox Church Council wished Vladyka good health and God's help in his archpastoral ministry.
In his response, Metropolitan Ephrem expressed his deep gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill for the high award and attention, noting that the Russian Orthodox Church and its Primate fulfill a great mission, standing firmly on guard of holy Orthodoxy. Vladyka also shared memories of his years of study at the Moscow Theological Academy. As the Serbian hierarch noted, every day as a student he began with prayers at the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, and therefore the awarding of the order bearing the name of this great saint was perceived by Vladyka as a special honor and a sign of God's blessing.
Moscow Theological Academy.
In the lengthy cordial conversation that followed, Metropolitan Banyaluk Ephrem spoke about church life in his diocese. The hierarchs exchanged views on the state of affairs in world Orthodoxy and the persecution that the canonical Church in Ukraine is undergoing. At the conclusion of the meeting, gifts were exchanged.
Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk and his entourage visited the Cathedral Church of Christ the Savior, after which they proceeded to the House of the Republika Srpska, where they met with President Milorad Dodik.
EVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
