Department for External Church Relations
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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill’s greetings to participants in the 10th meeting of Joint Russian-Iranian Commission for Orthodoxy-Islam Dialogue
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent a message of greetings to the participants in the 10th meeting of the Joint Russian-Iranian Commission for Orthodoxy-Islam Dialogue. The text of the letter is given below.
To the participants in the 10th meeting of the Joint Russian-Iranian Commission for Orthodoxy-Islam Dialogue
Moscow, 26-27 September 2016
Dear participants in the meeting,
I cordially greet all those gathered in Moscow to take part in the 10th round of meetings of the joint commission for dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Islamic community of Iran.
Over the past years the commission focused on such important topics as globalization, inter-cultural and inter-religious cooperation, human rights, problems of terrorism and extremism, spiritual and moral crisis in society, role of religion in upholding family values, etc. Such a wide range and topicality of the issues on the commission’s agenda indicate a high level of mutual understanding and relevance of the dialogue today.
The theme of this session, ‘Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation as Instruments for Reaching Lasting and Just Peace,’ reflects the true goal of these meetings aimed at developing neighbourly relations among people of different confessions. The adherents of both the Orthodox and the Islamic traditions are convinced that the efforts to promote peace, compassion and mercy are pleasing unto the Creator, while the actions stirring up hatred and aggression against other people are a very grave sin.
The reality of today’s numerous sanguinary conflicts caused to a considerable extent by the spread of dangerous pseudo-religious ideas requires the Orthodox Christians and the Muslims to speak out together against extremism and violence.
I wish to the participants in the meeting fruitful discussions and blessed success in their forthcoming work.
+KIRILL
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
Department Chairman
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