Delegation of Moscow Patriarchate takes part in International Meetings of Prayer for Peace

The International Meetings of Prayer for Peace organized annually by the Catholic Community of St. Egidio are held this year in Munster, Germany.

The event is attended by a delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate including Metropolitan Anatoliy of Sarny and Polessks, Bishop Stephan of Gomel and Zhlobin, Bishop Gennadiy of Kaskelen, and Hieromonk Stephan (Igumnov), secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR).

The forum was opened on September 10. Among the speakers were Germany’s Federal Chancellor A. Merkel, Republic of Niger President M. Issoufou, European Parliament President A. Tajani, Patriarch John X of Great Antioch and All the East, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University Ahmed el-Tayeb, representative of the Buddhist community in Japan Ms. K. Niwano, founder of the Community of St. Egidio Prof. A. Riccardi, and Munster Mayor M. Lewe.

The guests were welcomed by Bishop Felix Genn of Munster. A message of greeting was sent to the participants by His Holiness Pope Francis of Rome.

On September 11, Bishop Gennadiy of Kaskelen addressed the panel session with remarks on ‘Christian Martyrdom: Past and Present’. He spoke about the feat of the Russian Church’s new martyrs and confessors including those who shone forth in Kazakhstan and a number of issues concerning today’s martyrdom of Christians in various parts of the world.

The meetings, attended by representatives of Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Shinto and other communities in various parts of the world as well as public and political leaders, will last till September 12.

DECR Communication Service

Photos from the website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church diocese of Sarny

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Delegation of Moscow Patriarchate takes part in International Meetings of Prayer for Peace

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons