Annual Christmas meeting takes place at Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

DECR Communication Service, 29/01/2025

On 29^th January 2025, at the Receptions House of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Christmas meeting took place, held annually at the invitation of the Ministry’s senior officials.

Representing the Russian Orthodox Church at the meeting were: Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations; Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, adviser to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’; Archimandrite Philaret (Bulekov), DECR deputy chairman; Archpriest Nikolai Lishchenyuk, DECR deputy chairman; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, DECR deputy chairman; Archpriest Sergy Zvonarev, DECR secretary for far abroad countries; Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations; and Priest Iliya Kashitsyn, DECR secretary for interfaith relations. Taking part in the meeting on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were Mr Evgeniy Ivanov, State Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister, and a number of other senior officials.

Mr Evgeniy Ivanov, Deputy Foreign Minister, presented to Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations, the Foreign Ministry’s badge For Cooperation.

In a warm atmosphere, the participants in the meeting discussed various matters of international cooperation.

Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk and Mr Evgeniy Ivanov exchanged memorable gifts. The DECR chairman also presented gifts to other representatives of the Ministry present at the meeting.

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Annual Christmas meeting takes place at Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons