Home page News
Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk takes part in…

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk takes part in the 5th European Catholic-Orthodox Forum in Paris

On 9-12 January 2017, the 5th European Catholic-Orthodox Forum on ‘Europe Facing Today a Fear of Terrorism Challenged by Fundamentalism and the Value of Human Person and Religious Freedom’ took place in Paris, bringing together representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches of the European region and the Catholic Council of the European Episcopal Conferences. Metropolitan Prof. Dr. Gennadios of Sassima (Patriarchate of Constantinople) and the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Péter Cardinal Erdő, acted as co-chairs of the meeting.

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, represented the Russian Orthodox Church at the forum. Among its participants was also Archimandrite Philaret (Bulekov), DECR vice-chairman.

Discussed at the meeting was the situation of religious communities in Europe in the context of challenges facing the European society today, as well as such topics as human dignity and religious freedom, problems of fundamentalism and terrorism, and the role of the state and church communities in maintaining stability and solidarity within society.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk delivered an address on ‘The Violation of Religious Rights and Freedoms: Intolerance, Discrimination and Persecution,’ noting in particular that the forum took place against the background of progress attained in Orthodox-Catholic relations. As the DECR chairman emphasized, an important event was the meeting between Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Francis in Havana on February 12, 2016, that opened a new page in the history of Orthodox-Catholic interaction. According to Metropolitan Hilarion, the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church achieved a notable success at its 14th plenary session by adopting an important document – ‘Conciliarity and Primacy in the First Millennium: On the Path to a Common Understanding for Ministering to Church Unity.’

His Eminence reminded the participants in the forum that the meeting in Havana resulted in the adoption of the Joint Declaration “which reflected a common vision of global issues that concern our Churches and all of humanity.” The representative of the Russian Orthodox Church said, in particular, “The Pope and the Patriarch, who had earlier touched upon the topics in the declaration, in Havana spoke with one voice. And this voice was heard. We are clearly aware of the need for joints efforts for a consolidated response to the challenges of modern-day life, including the persecution of Christians living in the Middle East, the secularization of western society, the violation of believers' rights, the crisis of family and other traditional values, and the undermining of morality in both private and public life.”

In his address, Metropolitan Hilarion also dwelt on the rights and freedoms of Christian communities in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Ukraine.

***

 

The 1st European Catholic-Orthodox Forum was held in 2008, initiated by the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Péter Cardinal Erdő, and Bishop Hilarion of Vienna and Austria (now Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations).

Discussed at the previous meetings that took place in Trento, on Rhodes, in Lisbon and in Minsk, were various issues, including family, church-state relations, economic crises, poverty, religion and multiculturalism.

DECR Communication Service

Share:
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov

21.07.2025

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill receives a delegation of the Malankara Church of India

19.07.2025

On the day of commemoration of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the Primate of the Russian Church celebrated the Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius

18.07.2025

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill сelebrates All-Night Vigil at the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius

17.07.2025

Primate of the Russian Church сelebrates Little Vespers with Akathist to St. Sergius of Radonezh at the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius

17.07.2025

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill sends condolences to the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Antioch over terrorist attack on Church of Prophet Elias in Damascus

22.06.2025

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders

19.06.2025

Primate of the Russian Church celebrates Liturgy at the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra on the Feast of the Holy Trinity

08.06.2025

Representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches participate in Patriarchal service on the occasion of Saints Cyril and Methodius Day.

24.05.2025

Congratulatory Address by the members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the occasion of his name’s day.

24.05.2025

Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church participates in the Paschal reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia

20.05.2025

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election to the See of Rome

09.05.2025

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro

08.05.2025

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with the President of Cuba

08.05.2025

Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church awarded highest order of the Republic of Serbia

08.05.2025

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill receives a delegation of the Malankara Church of India

19.07.2025

On the day of commemoration of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the Primate of the Russian Church celebrated the Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius

18.07.2025

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill сelebrates All-Night Vigil at the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius

17.07.2025

Primate of the Russian Church сelebrates Little Vespers with Akathist to St. Sergius of Radonezh at the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius

17.07.2025

Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk leads celebrations at Moscow Metochion of Serbian Orthodox Church on its patronal feast

12.07.2025

Editorial board of Church and Time journal meets in Moscow

02.07.2025

DECR Chairman: the politicization of the World Council of Churches puts its future under threat

01.07.2025

Delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate participates in the work of the WCC Central Committee in South Africa

18.06.2025

DECR Chairman meets with Russian Ambassador to South Africa

17.06.2025

DECR Chairman arrives in South Africa

16.06.2025

Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk meets with students of the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy

12.06.2025

DECR secretary for affairs of the far abroad archpriest Sergy Zvonaryov defends doctoral dissertation.

09.06.2025

Primate of the Russian Church celebrates Liturgy at the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra on the Feast of the Holy Trinity

08.06.2025

Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations meets in Moscow

05.06.2025

Metropolitan Antony of Volokolamsk meets with the Assyrian Patriarch

31.05.2025

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