Patriarch Kirill Meets with the Head of the Malankara Church

More great content, memes, commenting and community not available on this site.

We are also on Facebook and Instagram which have been designated terrorist organizations by the Russian government.

A meeting took place between Patriarch Kirill and the Head of the Malankara Church. The negotiations were held in Moscow's Kremlin, specifically in the Grand Kremlin Palace, as reported by the press service of the Synodal Department for External Church Relations.

On September 6th, Patriarch Kirill conducted a liturgy at the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin. Following the service, a solemn reception was held in the Patriarch's Chambers in the Grand Kremlin Palace.

The Head of the Russian Orthodox Church warmly welcomed His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, emphasizing that the relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Church has deep historical roots.

"Together, we belong to the great spiritual tradition of the Christian East. The relations between our Churches have significantly progressed thanks to historical figures like Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) of Leningrad and Novgorod and Metropolitan Paulos Mar Gregorios (Varghese), an outstanding hierarch and theologian," His Holiness stated.

Patriarch Kirill recalled that he first met Metropolitan Mar Gregorios in 1968 in Uppsala at the IV General Assembly of the World Council of Churches. "Even then, he demonstrated himself as an outstanding theologian and religious leader. But what especially struck me was his contribution to the work of the V General Assembly, which took place in Nairobi in 1975," His Holiness noted, emphasizing that since then, relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Church began to actively develop.

Appreciating the level of fraternal relations that have always existed between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Church of India, His Holiness expressed hope that bilateral cooperation between the two Churches will continue to be successful. He stated, "We value our shared past, which has enriched us mutually, but we would like the present and future to be equally significant for our Churches. We are open to various forms of joint action, including my invitation for your students to study in our educational institutions."

The Head of the Russian Orthodox Church also noted the high level of interstate relations between Russia and India. "Russia and India are civilizations with great culture, enormous intellectual, human, and cultural potential. Modern Russia and India are real partners who do not seek to profit from each other, do not exploit each other's weaknesses but interact in politics and economics openly. Therefore, we have a positive factor for development, including bilateral religious relations," Patriarch Kirill stated.

In response, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III thanked Patriarch Kirill for his hospitality. "I am very pleased to be here today," he said to Patriarch Kirill. "It reminds me of my time in Leningrad when you, Your Holiness, were the rector of the Leningrad Theological Academy. I remember those years of study very well. It was my first time abroad, and Russia was the first country I visited. Russia became my second homeland and remains so to this day."

The distinguished guest mentioned that in India, there is a growing reverence for the saints of the Russian Orthodox Church, particularly St. Seraphim of Sarov and Blessed Matrona of Moscow. "My predecessor, His Holiness Catholicos Paulos II, held a deep reverence for St. Matrona. There are many other hierarchs, priests, and laypeople who have come to venerate St. Matrona," His Holiness stated.

"We also venerate the memory of Professor Nikolay Zernov, who served as a bridge between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ancient Eastern Churches. During my studies in Leningrad, I had the opportunity to meet Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov), who left an indelible impression on me," the Head of the Malankara Church noted.

His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III expressed gratitude to the Russian Orthodox Church for the bilateral dialogue, particularly highlighting the successful academic cooperation. Currently, two representatives of the Malankara Church are students at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.

Patriarch Kirill thanked the high-ranking guest for his kind words and reiterated that the Russian Orthodox Church seeks like-minded partners worldwide to preserve enduring spiritual and moral values. His Holiness stressed that the dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Church of India, based on the commonality of spiritual values and, especially, on the shared piety of the people, has every opportunity to be successful.

"We need to develop bilateral relations in terms of interaction and cooperation between our seminaries, exchange our pastoral practices. Many priests of the Russian Church would be interested in your pastoral experience, especially in the provinces, in villages, in places where people lead a very difficult life. I believe that representatives of the Malankara Church would also be interested in getting acquainted with our pastoral work, not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg but also to see how it happens in the vast expanses of Russia. I am confident that such an exchange of experience can be beneficial for both Churches," the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church concluded.

More great content, memes, commenting and community not available on this site.

We are also on Facebook and Instagram which have been designated terrorist organizations by the Russian government.