On June 18, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with the heads and representatives of Protestant churches — members of the Christian Interfaith Advisory Committee (HMCC) at the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence at the Danilov Monastery in Moscow.
Addressing the participants of the meeting, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill stated the good relations of the religious associations belonging to the HMCC, which, in his opinion, is an important factor in a multinational society: "We show people who belong to the secular world that Christians, unlike in ancient times, not only do not quarrel, but work together, develop positions together that help us to have a dialogue with society and the state."
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church specifically mentioned the joint meeting of the Interreligious Council of Russia and the Christian Interfaith Advisory Committee held in 2020, at which draft amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which are of great importance for religious communities, were discussed, among other things.
"In particular, we supported the proposal to include a mention of God in the text of the updated Constitution. As you know, these proposals have been accepted," His Holiness noted. — Constitutional amendments have also become important, consolidating the idea of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. It would seem that this is an obvious truth, but against the background of everything that is happening in the world around the topic of marriage, it ceases to be obvious to many. And our common position, which is that we recognize marriage as the union of a man and a woman, I think, is an important contribution, including to international relations and interaction with other faiths. We also insist on the right of parents to provide education and training for children that is consistent with their religious beliefs. And, of course, the common position is the need to protect our national values, which stem from our history and culture. Russian Russian culture and the Russian language are reflected in this, among other things, and it is also of particular importance if we are talking about our compatriots who live abroad, and for whom, undoubtedly, our common position helps to preserve the memory of their Fatherland."
In His speech, Patriarch Kirill also mentioned the noticeable changes in the relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Evangelical movement in Russia: "We have managed to overcome the obstacles that previously stood in the way of mutual understanding, and have found important points of contact for dialogue and cooperation. Today, the interaction between the Moscow Patriarchate and Russian Protestants is constructive and friendly, aimed at upholding traditional evangelical values in society… We have a consensus on these important, fateful topics."
In the continuation of His speech, His Holiness particularly focused the listeners' attention on the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the current authorities of Ukraine. "As you know, churches are being confiscated from Orthodox believers in Ukraine today, criminal cases are being initiated against clergy for far—fetched reasons, priests, lay men and women are being physically abused, people are being imprisoned, arrested only for their religious choice", — His Holiness noted, recalling, in particular, the situation of the hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchinsk and Bratslav, an elderly and seriously ill man, a famous church composer, who last year, on absurd charges, was sentenced to five years in prison with confiscation of property and was under house arrest while considering an appeal against the verdict. On June 18, it became known that the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the court of first instance.
"Today we have witnessed unprecedented persecution in Ukraine. And it is surprising that Western "truth—lovers", defenders of human rights and religious freedom do not notice anything; such violations of human rights and religious freedom are not noticed in the West," His Holiness Patriarch Kirill stressed. He also noted with regret that "there is harassment of Orthodox believers in the Baltic states, whose leadership is trying to involve the Church in political strife."
His Holiness the Patriarch called the annual holding of the Christian Youth forum through the HMCC an important form of interfaith cooperation, noting that these events touch upon topics relevant to a modern Christian. Thus, the forum scheduled for July this year, which will be held on the territory of the Vyborg diocese, will be devoted to the topic "Christian youth and family values."
In conclusion, His Holiness stressed the importance of the cooperation of the religious communities of Russia in the current situation, when Russia is facing a civilizational challenge and the united people of the country are responding to it with dignity, decisively and cohesively. "I hope that our joint efforts in the name of affirming the enduring values of the Gospel in society will not remain in vain, but will bear good fruit in this difficult time," said His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
In turn, the heads of the Protestant churches of Russia noted the role of His Holiness in consolidating Christian denominations in Russia, as well as the involvement of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church in building constructive cooperation with Russian Protestants aimed at affirming evangelical values, peace and harmony in society.