Home page News
Primate of Russian Orthodox Church gives press con…

Primate of Russian Orthodox Church gives press conference at the conclusion of his visit to France

On 5 December 2016, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, while on a visit to the diocese of Korsun, gave a brief press conference to representatives of the mass media.

Question: Your Holiness, please tell us about the outcomes of your first visit to France. What are your personal impressions?

Patriarch Kirill: I am satisfied with the visit. Its programme was well prepared, and of course, I am greatly encouraged by the results of the meetings and discussions I had.

The event of major importance was the consecration of the cathedral in the centre of Paris. When discussing this topic with various people, I often heard that it was a historic event, a miracle that had been hard to believe just a little while ago. The Lord helps implement the most incredible projects that might seem a miracle when carried out.

It is difficult to overestimate the fact that a Russian Orthodox cathedral and an Orthodox Spiritual and Cultural Centre have appeared in the heart of Paris. Various French public figures have already shown interest in what can be developed at this centre to help our peoples, in spite of not so favourable political context, have a deeper mutual understanding and sympathy grounded in our history of the early 20th century and of the previous centuries… The tragedies of the past century show that the Russians and the French used to be allies supporting each other. May the tradition of the good allied relations develop and help, in the face of the current political challenges, set forth a well-grounded position, beneficial to both sides.

Question: What message have you conveyed to the French President Hollande? What did you speak about, and what was his reaction to your words?

Patriarch Kirill: It was a very good visit, organized at a high protocol level, and we had a very good discussion. Of course, we focused on the situation in the world, first of all in the Middle East, on the plight of Christian and other minorities in the region. It is well known that right from the start the Russian Church has been expressing her position with utmost clarity, urging the world community to acknowledge that Christians in the Middle East are being subjected to genocide.

I think that the Joint Declaration we signed with Pope Francis helped promote these ideas. Both sides held absolutely the same views on the Middle East problem. It also should be noted that in spring 2016 (by the way, soon after my meeting with Pope Francis), France submitted very important proposals to the United Nations Security Council concerning the plight of Christian minorities. During my meeting with the President I had an impression that he was clearly concerned over the situation of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East.

We also raised the issue of Ukraine. I set forth the peacemaking stand that our Church takes, supporting neither side and regarding it as her duty to do all within her power to reconcile people and settle this serious civil conflict.

Of course, during our meeting we also discussed such historic event as consecration of the cathedral in the centre of Paris. I have to say that everyone I met spoke favourably about this remarkable event.

Question: Your Holiness, we see how painful for many French people the topic of legalization of same-sex marriage is. There were mass protests. Did you raise this issue during your visit?

Patriarch Kirill: Yes, we raised it during our meeting with Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris. It is well known that the Catholic Church spoke out resolutely against the legalization of same-sex marriage. And the million-strong marches of the French people, mostly Catholics, were a clear sign of opposition of a considerable part of the population to what had happened.

It should be noted that nothing changes or can ever change in the stand of the Church, for same-sex relations run counter to the Christian morality. I want to say once again that we, neither Catholic nor Orthodox Christians, condemn no one. We do not demand to step up measures against the people who have some peculiarities in their sexual identity. Yet, we strongly object to likening these relationships to the marriage that is ordained by God and results in childbearing and continuation of life of the human race. What is a part of God’s dispensation cannot be altered by any political doctrines or any political practice. This is what the Church bases her position on.

Question: Your visit took place at a time of challenges for the bilateral relations and for the relations between Russia and Europe. Did you feel that there is perhaps a desire to get the dialogue back on track?

Patriarch Kirill: I experienced no difficulties. Great many people whom I met have warm feelings towards Russia, realize the importance of Russian-French relations and pay a tribute to our common history.

Indeed, how can one not pay a tribute to such a history! On Tuesday I celebrated the divine service in the Kaliningrad Region. In the town of Gusev (former Gumbinnen) a new church had been built, and I consecrated it. It is a place where the dreadful tragedy occurred: the Russian army of General Samsonov was crushed there, in East Prussia, in August 1914. Why did the Russian people die there? East Prussia was Germany’s territory at the time. It happened because the Russian state took on a duty of helping the French people and preventing Germany from occupying their country and capturing Paris. In order to not let the Germans use all their forces to occupy France and Paris, the Russians opened the second front. And as is known, Samsonov’s army was crushed.

Can we ever erase such episodes from our common history? No, never. I appreciate that many people remember and know about it. Perhaps, all this is the ground for our mutual sympathy which was fully manifested during my visit.

DECR Communication Service

Share:
Phone conversation took place between the Primates of Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches

17.11.2024

Telephone conversation held between His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and the Primate of the Malankara Church of India

01.11.2024

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the VIII World Congress of Compatriots Living Abroad

30.10.2024

Order of Right-Believing Prince Daniel of Moscow presented to Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk by Patriarch Kirill

24.10.2024

Primate of the Russian Church celebrates Divine Liturgy in the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius Lavra on the commemoration day of St. Sergius of Radonezh

09.10.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrates Little Vespers and Akathistos hymn to St. Sergius in the Lavra of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius

07.10.2024

Message from the Primate of the Russian Church to His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia in connection with blasphemous act on the ruins of ancient Ulpiana

14.09.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrates on the feast of the 300th anniversary of the transfer of relics of St.Alexander Nevsky to St. Petersburg

12.09.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrates All-night Vigil at the Christ the Savior Cathedral on the eve of Transfiguration

18.08.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' met with the Ambassador of India to Russia

30.07.2024

Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Awa III: Ukrainian government’s support for schism and persecution of the major canonical Church is a religious pogrom against the faithful Orthodox Christians of that country

24.07.2024

Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church consecrates the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in the city of Tver.

21.07.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrates Liturgy at the Lavra of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius on the commemoration day of the saint

18.07.2024

The Primate of the Russian Church celebrates All-night Vigil at the Lavra of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius

17.07.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrates Little Vespers at the Lavra of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius and reads akathist to the saint

17.07.2024

Phone conversation took place between the Primates of Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches

17.11.2024

Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk meets with His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije

17.11.2024

Conference dedicated to centennial of the Holy Trinity Russian church is held in Belgrade

16.11.2024

Delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church takes part in COP29 Summit of Religious Leaders

06.11.2024

DECR chairman concludes his visit to India

03.11.2024

Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk meets with young Indian Christians

02.11.2024

Primate of Malankara Church of India receives Order of Glory and Honour, 1st Class

02.11.2024

DECR chairman takes part in church celebrations in India

02.11.2024

Telephone conversation held between His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and the Primate of the Malankara Church of India

01.11.2024

DECR Chairman has begun his visit to India

31.10.2024

Work of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is declared successful

24.10.2024

Synod acknowledges importance of bilateral projects carried out in collaboration with Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

24.10.2024

Order of Right-Believing Prince Daniel of Moscow presented to Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk by Patriarch Kirill

24.10.2024

DECR Chairman heads celebrations for the fifteenth anniversary of the consecration of the Dormition Church at the Russian embassy in Beijing.

19.10.2024

Saint Petersburg Theological Academy hosts conference on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) entitled ‘The Person of Metropolitan Nikodim in the History of the Church’.

16.10.2024

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