Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church meets with His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada

On 6 December 2017, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada at the Patriarchal residence located in St. Daniel’s stavropegic monastery.

The delegation accompanying the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America includes Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa, Archpriest Daniel Andrejuk, Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, Mrs. Melanie Ringa, Treasurer of the Orthodox Church in America, and Subdeacon Roman Ostash.

Taking part in the meeting on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church were Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR); Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk, administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA; Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, DECR deputy chairman; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, DECR secretary for inter-Orthodox relations; and Mr. Dmitry Petrovsky, a staff member of the DECR.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrated a short prayer service at the domestic church consecrated in honor of All Saints of the Russian Church.

At the beginning of brotherly talks His Holiness greeted the high guests and thanked him for his participation in the celebration of the centenary of the restoration of the Patriarchate in the Russian Orthodox Church. “The centenary is very important to us both as a jubilee and a opportunity to meet with the Primates and representatives of all Local Orthodox Churches in Moscow as well as an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the events happened one hundred years ago for the destiny of both our Church and Orthodoxy as a whole,” His Holiness said.

The election of St. Tikhon is particularly important for the Orthodox Church in America too as he stood at the head of the American diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. “The first theological schools on the continent were opened during his stay there and many people of different nationalities were illumined with the light of the true faith. Let us recall that many Uniats from the immigrants have become Orthodox thanks to Bishop Tikhon. I know that St. Tikhon is deeply venerated in the Orthodox Church in America and that a seminary was named after him and many churches we consecrated in his name.

“You, Your Beatitude, have taken monastic vows with the name of this great saint, and your participation in the celebrations is so meaningful to You and to those who prayed with you.”

His Holiness Kirill also noted that in the context of complicated relations between Russia and the USA the contacts between the two Churches are especially important because 'people of the same faith who have common history and spiritual values can contribute to reconciliation and development of good cooperation.’

The Primate of the Orthodox Church in America expressed his gratitude for greetings and invitation to the celebration, taking part in which are representatives of the twelve Local Orthodox Churches who are meeting here in the spirit of brotherhood and unity. His Beatitude added that it was a special honor for the Orthodox Church in America to take part in the festivities as her bishops, clerics and parishioners venerate the memory of St. Tikhon.

Patriarch Kirill expressed his satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church in America. These relations are maintained and develop.

His Holiness is in favor of the development of pilgrimage from the Orthodox Church in America to the Russian Church. He mentioned a great number of guests from China and said: ‘We will receive pilgrims from the USA with joy and love.’ Also, he expressed his joy over the appointment of Archpriest Daniel Andrejuk as rector of the OCA Representation church in Moscow.

Discussed at the meeting were also various issues pertaining to inter-Orthodox relations, including the situation with Orthodoxy in Ukraine.