Home page News
'Religion and Political Culture' Conference in&nbs…

'Religion and Political Culture' Conference in Rome

On 29 September 2009, a 'Religion and Political Culture' Conference took place in Rome on the initiative of the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Taking part in the discussion were religious, political and public figures from Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. The Moscow Patriarchate was represented by the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church archimandrite Kirill (Govorun), deputy chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate hieromonk Philip (Ryabykh), and professor of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation A. Zubov.

Participants in the Conference discussed religious roots of the European political tradition and its present state.

It was noted in particular that many European politicians and representatives of different worldviews recognize the leading role of Christianity in the past history of the continent, but deny it this role for the present and future of Europe. The adherents of this view believe that the state and public support of this or that religion would bring about the infringement of rights of other faiths and worldviews and would ruin the priority of the value of human being over social and political institutions.

The participants disagreed with this approach and pointed out that the recognition of the rights of human beings by the states and international organizations was based on the notion of man laid and supported by Christianity. Moreover, many public institutions and traditions in Western countries are also rooted in the Christian teaching on the world and man. The speakers at the conference came to a conclusion that the struggle against Christianity in Europe would bring about the destruction of European culture and the model of social development. The participants called for the lack of fear in defining European political and cultural identity on the basis of Christian values.

A. Zubov told in his report about the development of relations between the Church and the state in Russia in the 20th century.

Hieromonk Philip noted in his intervention at the conference the necessity to overcome prejudice and gaps in the comprehension of social and political processes in the different regions of Europe for the sake of shaping a single European civilizational space. He believes that the East and the West of Europe should respect each other as separate spiritual and political centers with equal value for the European civilization. The West could not only share its experience with the East, but also get inspired by its positive experience and its ideas. The Russian Orthodox Church, which is the core of the East European region, sets forth an idea of linking human rights with religious tradition and morality. The DECR MP deputy chairman thinks that this position could be sought-for in the West.

While summing up the discussion, archimandrite Kirill (Govorun) noted that the return of Europe to its Christian roots could become a factor that would unite all European people.

Share:
Congratulations of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the President of Turkey on his 70th birthday

26.02.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill's condolences in connection with the murder of the monks of the Ziquala Abo Monastery in Ethiopia

24.02.2024

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the XII Christmas Parliamentary Meetings at the Federation Council of the Russian Federation

23.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: Patriarch of Constantinople is not a free man

07.01.2024

Christmas Message from Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Rus’

06.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill had phone conversation with Metropolitan Ioann of Belgorod and Stary Oskol

02.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill expresses condolences over deadly earthquake in northwest China

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill congratulates Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on his re-election as President of Egypt

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill welcomes the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the decoration of the Church of St Sava in Belgrade

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presides over jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Patriarchal greetings on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Vienna and Austria

26.11.2023

Primate of Russian Church presents historic miracle-working Kazan Icon of the Mother of God to the faithful and celebrates Liturgy in the Kremlin Dormition Cathedral

04.11.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the participants of the World Conference of Compatriots Living Abroad

01.11.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill met with the Primate of the Assyrian Church of the East

31.10.2023

Metropolitan Hilarion: Many things in a person's life depend on faith

29.08.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Holy Spirit is the main treasure of the Christian soul

01.08.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: Holiness is a constant striving to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ

27.06.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: God does not want to condemn, but to save us

07.03.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Lord always grants to us the opportunity to display our talents

24.01.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Lord has imbued the waters of Jordan with his divine presence to wash away human sins

19.01.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: to repent means to change your way of life

17.01.2021

On commemoration day of St. Catherine, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk officiated at the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr In-the-Fields  the representation of the Orthodox Church in America

07.12.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: We can always show compassion for people

29.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion celebrates on commemoration day of St. Varlaam of Khutyn at the church of ‘Joy to All the Afflicted’ icon of the Mother of God

19.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: We should remember that the life of each human being is in the hands of God

06.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: For God there is nothing impossible

25.10.2020

Metropoplitan Hilarion: The cross which was an instrument of dishonourable execution becomes the symbol of salvation for millions of people

27.09.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: Eucharist is the wedding feast, to which Lord Jesus Christ invites each of us

13.09.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: Faith alone is not enough for salvation

30.08.2020

Page is available in the following languages
Feedback

Fields marked by * are mandatory required

Send a message
Рус Укр Eng Deu Ελλ Fra Ita Бълг ქარ Срп Rom عرب