Home page News
DECR vice-chairman takes part in conference on&nbs…

DECR vice-chairman takes part in conference on protection of Christians in the Middle East

On 2 March 2015, an International Conference on the Situation of Christians in the Middle East took place in Geneva on the sidelines of the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The conference was convened on the initiative of Russia, Lebanon, Armenia, and a non-governmental organization, Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, with the participation of the Paris Institute of Democracy and Cooperation and with the assistance of Russia’s permanent representation to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, Archimandrite Philaret (Bulekov), DECR vice-chairman, took part in the conference.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, honorary member of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, called resolutely to put an end to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and all over the world. Addressing all those present in the hall of the Palace of Nations, he said, in particular, “The exodus of Christians from the Middle Eastern region is a process that might have the most negative consequences… for the preservation of historical and spiritual heritage, important for the whole humanity. I am convinced that it is necessary to multiply efforts in order to put an end to persecutions of Christians and followers of any other religion.”

The Minister also mentioned the problems Christians were confronted with in a number of Western countries. “For some reason, it is not considered politically correct now to speak about one’s adherence to the Christian religion; people begin to feel awkward about Christian values which make up the foundation of the European civilization… The notions of morality and traditional national, cultural and religious identity are being eroded. Increasing are cases of vandalism and desecration of churches, sacred sites, cemeteries, and Christian symbols,” Mr. Lavrov said.

Speaking on the growing tendencies of aggressive secularism, the Minister noted that the faithful found it ever more difficult to uphold their beliefs. “History teaches us that a civilization that has rejected its moral ideals looses its spiritual power,” he said, “We all must bear it in mind, especially this year when we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the great victory in World War II which claimed the lives of tens of millions of people of all nationalities and confessions. It is our common duty for the sake of future generations not to betray the feat of the victors and to be uncompromising in opposing any attempts to stir up enmity and hatred.”

Among the speakers was also Archimandrite Philaret (Bulekov), vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations. In his address, Archimandrite Philaret reminded all those present that the Russian Orthodox Church knew from her experience what persecutions for faith were and therefore she took the pain and sufferings of the Middle Eastern Christians as her own. He said, in particular, “From the outset, our Church has expressed her firm position concerning the Christian population in the Middle East. We support our suffering brothers and sisters and continue to speak out in their defence. The supreme authority of our Church raises this issue during the meetings with political, public and religious leaders, at various international platforms and forums, as well as in the mass media.”

“The loss of Christian presence in the Middle East will only lead to further escalation of tensions and violence,” the DECR vice-chairman continued, “The killings of Christians will have long-term consequences, disrupting the existing balance of interfaith relations. That is why our top priority task is to put an end to the aggression of extremists in order to enable Christians and representatives of other traditional religious communities to return to peaceful life.”

 

Among those who spoke at the conference were also Ms. Elena Agapova, vice-chairman of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society; nun Agnes Mariam el-Salib, renown Syrian human rights advocate; Ms. Natalia Narochnitskaya, President of the Paris Institute of Democracy and Cooperation, member of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society’s Board; and Mr. Adriano Roccucci, Secretary General of the Catholic Community of Sant'Egidio.

 

The meeting was also attended by Archbishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe; archpriest Mikhail Gundyaev, representative of the Russian Orthodox Church at the World Council of Churches and international organizations in Geneva; and Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva. Prof. John Laughland, Director of Research Programmes at the Institute of Democracy and Cooperation, acted as moderator of the conference.

DECR Communication Service

Share:
Congratulations of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the President of Turkey on his 70th birthday

26.02.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill's condolences in connection with the murder of the monks of the Ziquala Abo Monastery in Ethiopia

24.02.2024

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the XII Christmas Parliamentary Meetings at the Federation Council of the Russian Federation

23.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: Patriarch of Constantinople is not a free man

07.01.2024

Christmas Message from Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Rus’

06.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill had phone conversation with Metropolitan Ioann of Belgorod and Stary Oskol

02.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill expresses condolences over deadly earthquake in northwest China

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill congratulates Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on his re-election as President of Egypt

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill welcomes the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the decoration of the Church of St Sava in Belgrade

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presides over jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Patriarchal greetings on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Vienna and Austria

26.11.2023

Primate of Russian Church presents historic miracle-working Kazan Icon of the Mother of God to the faithful and celebrates Liturgy in the Kremlin Dormition Cathedral

04.11.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the participants of the World Conference of Compatriots Living Abroad

01.11.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill met with the Primate of the Assyrian Church of the East

31.10.2023

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