DECR Deputy Chairman receives delegation of religious and public figures from India

DECR Communication Service, 26/01/2026

On 26^th January 2026, Archimandrite Philaret (Bulekov), Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, met with a delegation of religious and public figures representing the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha – an association of the leaders of various movements within the traditional Hinduism. The delegation included Swami Parmatmananda Saraswati, Swamiji Nirmalanandanatha, Haritsinh Gohil, Gopal Giri Goswami, Atul Aneja and Swamiji Shrishila. Taking part in the meeting, held at the DECR, was also Priest Iliya Kashitsyn, DECR Secretary for Interfaith Relations.

Having greeted the guests, Archimandrite Philaret told them about various aspects of external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church and pointed out a high level of mutual understanding and cooperation among the leaders and representatives of religious communities in Russia.

The participants in the meeting agreed that traditional religions today face common challenges and threats, which prompts them to work together in order to preserve morality in people, protect the rights and interests of believers and counteract moral relativism and media manipulations.

They also exchanged opinions on the religious situation in Russia and India and proselytism activities of non-traditional movements and sects, and discussed other issues of mutual interest. The guests from India shared their impressions of their visit to the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius Lavra and the Moscow Theological Seminary and Academy, which had taken place the day before.

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DECR Deputy Chairman receives delegation of religious and public figures from India

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons