DECR Chairman meets with the Secretary for relations with states of the Holy See

DECR Communication Service, 25.08.2026.

On 25 August 2026, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, and his accompanying delegation, which included Archbishop Giovanni D’Aniello, Apostolic Nuncio to the Russian Federation.

Also participating in the meeting were Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Adviser to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, and Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the DECR.

Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk welcomed the guests on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’.

The participants discussed a number of pressing issues concerning the current situation in the world. In particular, the Vatican’s high-ranking representative was provided with information about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Ukrainian state authorities.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants exchanged commemorative gifts.

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DECR Chairman meets with the Secretary for relations with states of the Holy See

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Department Chairman

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Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons