Department for External Church Relations
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Rector of Belgrade Metochion of the Russian Church attends the conference of Russian compatriots
DECR Communications Service, 06.06.2025.
On May 24-25, the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Belgrade hosted the 18th Regional Conference of Russian Compatriots from Europe and North America on the topic "Historical and Cultural Heritage as a Guarantee of Preserving the Unity of Russian Compatriots Abroad."
The conference was attended by the heads of the coordinating councils of Russian compatriots' organizations and members of the regional and world coordinating councils of Russian compatriots from 37 countries, as well as representatives of state authorities of the Russian Federation, the Russian Embassy in Serbia, the Russian House in Belgrade and the Metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Serbian capital.
Before the meeting, the participants visited the Memorial Cemetery of the Liberators of Belgrade and laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and the Red Army Soldier monument.
The first session of the conference was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the preservation of historical memory.
The participants discussed the consolidation of Russian compatriots abroad, protection of their rights, popularization of Russian culture, the role of the diaspora in promoting a positive image of Russia abroad, and building cultural bridges with other countries. Reports were presented on historical and contemporary relations of Russia with compatriots’ countries of residence, the creation of a register of Russian cultural and historical heritage abroad, the succession of generations in the diaspora and the activities of youth organizations, the preservation of the Russian cultural patterns among young people born outside the boundaries of Russia.
Archpriest Vitaly Tarasjev, rector of the Belgrade Metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church, attended the conference at the invitation of the Embassy of the Russian Federation. In his report entitled “Compatriots and the Russian Orthodox Church”, he spoke about the work of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations with compatriots, and about church support being rendered to brothers and sisters abroad. He emphasized that for church-going members of the Russian diaspora, church and parish life is an important factor in consolidation and added that lay persons have an opportunity to play a significant role in the evangelization of society and Christian preaching among non-believers, since any life situation and any meeting could become a kind of exam of how deep and sincere is Christians attitude to the Gospel values.
Also, Father Vitaly briefly introduced those present to the history of the Russian church of the Holy Trinity in Belgrade, which has recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, and to a retrospective of the community’s life. The church is a special place of prayerful unity for Orthodox Christians who speak both Russian and Serbian. Among the compatriots who have come to Serbia during the past three decades, there are those who have become parishioners and participate in the life of the community, this being the most important spiritual bond for them. Also, the church of the Holy Trinity, the chapel of the Iberian icon of the Mother of God, and the Russian Necropolis in Belgrade, being the custodians of the Russian shrines, Russian history and culture, are a connecting link for all members of the diaspora, regardless of their personal beliefs.
After the adoption of the final documents, a cultural program was offered to the participants in the conference.
Sermons
24.01.2021
06.11.2020