Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk Meets with the Ethiopian Patriarch

DECR Communication Service, 03.06.2026.

On June 3, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, who is on an official visit to Ethiopia, visited the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in Addis Ababa, where he met with the Primate of the Ethiopian Church, His Holiness Patriarch Abune Mathias.

Metropolitan Anthony conveyed to His Holiness the greetings and good wishes of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’.

The interlocutors emphasized the traditionally fraternal character of the relations between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Ethiopian Church, as well as between the peoples of Russia and Ethiopia. Metropolitan Anthony thanked Patriarch Abune Mathias for the effective bilateral cooperation on international platforms.

The successful work of the Commission for Dialogue between the two Churches was noted.

The Primate of the Ethiopian Church drew attention to the importance of continuing student exchanges, which have historically held special significance in inter-church relations, as well as developing contacts between the monastic communities of the two Churches and cooperation in the field of church art.

During the lengthy discussion that followed, many other issues concerning bilateral relations and the role of traditional Christian Churches in the modern world were examined.

Participating in the meeting were: Archbishop Abuna Dioscoros of Raya, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Church; Archbishop Abuna Sawiros of West Shoa, Chief Administrator of the Ethiopian Patriarchate; Archbishop Abuna Philipos of South Omo, Co-Chairman of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Church; Senior Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in Ethiopia A.S. Chesnakov; Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), Secretary for Inter-Christian Affairs of the DECR; and Fr. Alexander Ershov, Assistant to the DECR Chairman.

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Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk Meets with the Ethiopian Patriarch

DECR Communication Service, 03.06.2026.

Patriarch

Department Chairman

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Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons