Department for External Church Relations
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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem
DECR Communication service, 05.11.2026.
On 5 November 2026, a meeting between His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', and His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, took place at the Patriarchal Residence in Chisty Pereulok, Moscow.
The Russian Orthodox Church was also represented at the meeting by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Advisor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; and Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, Deputy Chairman of the DECR.
Before the conversation, the Primates of the two Churches visited the chapel at the Patriarchal Residence, consecrated in honour of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
During their fraternal conversation, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill spoke about the development of church life in Moscow and throughout the Russian Orthodox Church.
For his part, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos spoke about the life of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem and the situation of Christians in the Middle East. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill once again expressed his condolences to His Beatitude in connection with the terrorist attack that took place in Jordan on 23 October 2026, when three extremists opened fire near the Orthodox Church of St George in the Hammoud area of Al-Karak Governorate. According to the latest reports, nine people were killed and more than thirty injured in the attack, which took place during a funeral.
The participants exchanged views on current challenges in inter-Orthodox relations and possible ways of overcoming them.
The forthcoming celebrations in Jordan in 2030 marking the anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ were also among the topics discussed.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Primates exchanged commemorative gifts.
Photos by the Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'
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