Representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Evangelical Church in Germany have begun talks in Rostov-on-Don in continuation of the theological dialogue initiated over 50 years ago. In accordance with the Holy Synod Decision of June 6, 2012, the meeting is held in Rostov-on-Don and devoted to the theme ‘Christian Churches in a Multicultural Society’.
Before the meeting, the participants attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metropolitan Mercury of Rostov and Novocherkassk at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God. After the service he greeted the participants during a luncheon given at the Don Metropolia’s Religious Education Center.
Opening the talks in the evening, Metropolitan Mercury read out a message of greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The leader of the German delegation, Bishop Martin Schindehutte, expressed deep satisfaction at the fact that the meeting was held in Rostov-on-Don and pointed to the importance of theological dialogue for the development of friendly relations not only between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Church but also between the peoples of Russia and Germany. Another message was brought from Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relation, who was away in Beirut, Lebanon, for the funeral of the deceased Patriarch Ignatius IV of Great Antioch and All the East.
The talks will continue till December 13, 2012.