On October 30, 2024, the opening of the VIII World Congress of Compatriots Living Abroad took place in the Hall of Church Cathedrals of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The forum is held under the motto "Together with Russia".
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was among the honored guests of the opening ceremony.
The greeting of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to the participants and guests of the Congress was announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The greeting reads in particular: "I am pleased to note that, despite the serious difficulties and harassment faced by citizens in the West today who maintain a spiritual connection with Russia and share our moral values, more than four hundred representatives of Russian communities from more than a hundred countries of the world gathered at the Congress. Of course, for delegates who live in unfriendly countries, coming to Moscow to participate in this event required personal courage. And I would like to sincerely thank those who, even in the most difficult conditions, continue to actively defend the international positions of Russian culture and the Russian language. Russian Russian communities abroad, I am sure that during the Congress you will not only discuss the problems faced by Russian communities abroad today, but also put forward new ideas and initiatives that will serve to consolidate the multi-million Russian world and realize its enormous creative potential."
In his speech, Sergey Lavrov, in particular, noted "the role played by fruitful cooperation with compatriots through the Russian Orthodox Church and other traditional confessions of the peoples of Russia." "Our congress is being held in a holy place — the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, and this is a clear confirmation of the inviolability of the spiritual bonds uniting our people, regardless of their place of residence," the Russian Foreign Minister stressed.
Then the word of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was heard.
The Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, V.I. Matvienko, also addressed the participants of the Congress. She recalled the testament of St. Sergius of Radonezh: "By love and unity we will be saved." "I am convinced that our common love for the Motherland, our unanimity and the desire to be together with Russia will allow us to overcome all obstacles and achieve new achievements for the benefit of our Motherland," said V.I. Matvienko.
The moderator of the opening ceremony of the Congress was Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhail Galuzin.
The forum is attended by about 400 leaders and representatives of Russian communities from 103 countries, heads of central and regional government agencies, non-governmental organizations, representatives of traditional religions, cultural and public figures.