Department for External Church Relations
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DECR representative participates in opening of World Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots Abroad
DECR Communication Service, 17.06.2025.
On June 17, 2025, the opening session of the World Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots Living Abroad (WCCRC) took place at the Museum of Victory in Moscow.
Welcoming remarks were addressed to the attendees by: Mikhail Yu. Galuzin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Deputy Chairman of the Government Commission on Compatriots Abroad; Mikhail V. Drozdov, Chairman of the WCCRC; Yevgeny A. Primakov, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo and Deputy Chairman of the WCCRC; Yelena V. Afanasyeva, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs; Viktor A. Moskvin, Director of the Alexander Solzhenitsyn House of Russia Abroad and member of the WCCRC.
Additionally, a greeting was delivered by Sergei Yu. Panteleev, Director of the Institute of the Russian Abroad. A welcoming message was also read from Prince A.A. Trubetskoy, a long-time participant in the movement of Russian compatriots.
With the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Archpriest Sergiy Zvonarev, DECR Secretary for Far Abroad Affairs, took part in the event.
The Church representative conveyed a greeting from the DECR Chairman. Noting the symbolic significance of holding the meeting at the Museum of Victory, Metropolitan Anthony highlighted the importance of this year’s 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. He stated that the commemorations "not only reminded us all of the greatness and courage of our people, who defended humanity’s right to freedom and peaceful development, but also served as a powerful symbol of unity for the descendants of heroes."
The DECR Chairman mentioned the large-scale "Immortal Regiment" campaigns involving Russian compatriots in many countries, as well as the thanksgiving services to God for granting Victory and the memorial services held on May 9 by Orthodox believers abroad, who prayed for "the departed leaders and soldiers who laid down their lives for faith, Fatherland, and people, as well as all those who suffered and perished during the Great Patriotic War."
"I hope for continued joint efforts with the state and organizations of our compatriots abroad to strengthen the ideals of sacrifice, justice, and unity in the name of love for the Motherland," said Metropolitan Anthony, wishing the participants God’s help and fruitful work.
The session of the World Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots Living Abroad will continue until June 18.
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