After the festive Divine Liturgy, on February 1, 2026, in the Throne Room of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill met with a delegation of the Coptic Church, who arrived in Russia to participate in the XXXIV International Christmas Educational Readings and celebrations in honor of the 17th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness.
The delegation included Bishop Daniel, permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Church, Chairman of the Patriarchal Commission for Monasteries and Monasticism; Abbess Basil, Abbess of the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos in Zuweil (Old Cairo); Hieromonk Daud el-Anthony, representative of the Coptic Church in Russia; Hieromonk Agathon anba-Paula, a resident of the monastery of St. Paul of Thebes; nun Anastasia, a resident of the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos in Zuweila; Dr. Anton Milad, Patriarchal Counselor.
Among the participants from the Moscow Patriarchate were: Metropolitan Isidore of Smolensk and Dorogobuzhsky, co-chairman of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church; Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), Secretary of the Department for External Church Relations for Inter-Christian Relations; Abbess Juliania (Kaleda), Abbess of the Zachatievsky Stavropol Convent; Deacon Alexander Cherepenin, DECR officer.
The meeting was also attended by Abbot Sergius (Kuksov), rector of the Ascension Davidic Desert, Abbess Elisaveta (Pozdnyakova), Abbess of the Martha and Mary Monastery of Mercy, and students from the Coptic Church currently studying at Russian theological schools – Hierodeacon Maxim el-Anba Paula, Hierodeacon Byzantius Anba-Bishoy (Smolensk Theological Seminary) and Monk Zeus el-Makari (Moscow Theological Academy).
Warmly welcoming the delegation from Egypt, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill noted that he was very glad to see representatives of the Coptic Church at the celebrations in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on the day when the Russian Orthodox Church commemorates for the first time the Council of the Venerable Fathers, the founders of Monasticism and All Saints who Shone Forth in the land of Egypt (the celebration was established by the decision of the Holy Synod of October 30, 2025).
"Thank you, my dears. The relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church are very close. We have a lot in common in terms of our attitude to monastic life and the topic of asceticism. In spirit, in church discipline, including in fasting, you are very close to us. One would have to be too scholastic a theologian to find the differences between us. But unfortunately, the separation was approved. Therefore, it is necessary to strive through prayer and mutual communication to overcome it. We greatly appreciate your ascetic practice, how your monks live, and how you educate your people. I ask for your prayers at the Egyptian shrines," His Holiness said, in particular.
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill also noted with satisfaction the fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation carried out within the framework of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church, and expressed hope for further strengthening of the centuries-old good relations linking Orthodox Russia with the Christians of Egypt: "We will pray and work for these good relations to develop, although for now, Unfortunately, it is not by your will or ours that we are unable to celebrate the Holy Eucharist together. But let us hope that through joint efforts and prayers, including those of the Venerable fathers of Egypt, these divisions, of which neither you nor we are the source, will be overcome."
In response, the head of the Egyptian delegation thanked His Holiness the Patriarch for his hospitality, conveyed the heartfelt congratulations on the 17th anniversary of the enthronement and the well-wishes of His Holiness Patriarch Tawadros II of Copts, as well as the assurances of His Holiness in the unwavering fraternal support of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the flock entrusted to him by God.
"For many years you have been successfully managing the Russian Orthodox Church, leading the people of God to salvation, and you have been doing this with your inherent love and Patriarchal wisdom. We see how the Holy Spirit rests in your heart and guides you in order to bring us all together in the love of Christ. We wish you to live for many years in joy, prosperity and under the shadow of God's grace. Thank you for establishing the Feast of All Egyptian Saints in your Church. Because our saints are your saints. Pray for us, for our Church. We are very pleased to be the first delegation from the fraternal Churches to welcome Your Holiness in the year when you celebrate your 80th birthday," said Bishop Daniel.
At the end of the meeting, the members of the delegation celebrated the Patriarchal Centennial of the order of the Coptic Church.
Earlier in the day, the Coptic delegation attended the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and took part in a reception held after the service in honor of the 17th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.