Representative of the Department for External Church Relations speaks at the traditional meeting at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

DECR Communication Service, 23.12.2025.

On December 23, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation hosted a traditional meeting chaired by Deputy Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky with representatives of non-governmental and religious organizations, as well as academic circles working on international human rights platforms, including the UN and the OSCE.

Attending the meeting with the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, was archpriest Sergy Zvonarev, DECR secretary for far abroad countries.

Among those speaking at the meeting were Deputy Minister Lyubinsky and representatives of the human rights and expert communities. Archpriest Zvonarev shared insights about the challenges facing the Russian Orthodox Church at present and about efforts undertaken to protect the rights and freedoms of hierarchs, clergy, and faithful of the Orthodox Churches who are subject to discrimination and persecution by authorities.

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Representative of the Department for External Church Relations speaks at the traditional meeting at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons