26 July 2018 to participate in the celebrations on the occasion of the 1030-th anniversary of the baptism of Russia, arrived in Moscow, his Beatitude Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, Theodoros II, according to patriarhiei.
At Domodedovo airport the distinguished guest was welcomed by Chairman of Department for external Church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, the vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia for Moscow Metropolitan Arseny of Istra, the representative of the Patriarch of Alexandria to the Moscow Patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Athanasios of kyrenaika:, DECR Secretary for inter-Orthodox relations Archpriest Igor Yakymchuk, representatives of the Moscow clergy.
The delegation, accompanying his Beatitude Theodoros, composed of the Metropolitan of Johannesburg and Damascus Archimandrite Daniel (Biases).
Speaking to reporters at the airport, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria noted that repeatedly visited Moscow and glad to come here to the invitation of his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Cyril to take part in the celebrations in honor of 1030-anniversary of the Baptism of Rus — “great events that happened through the Holy equal to the apostles Prince Vladimir”.
Participation in the celebration of this date, according to his Beatitude the Bishop, testifies, in particular, about the friendship that connects Alexandria and the Moscow Patriarchate for many centuries. “My presence is to show that we’re together, next to his Holiness Patriarch Kirill and the entire Russian Orthodox Church” — said his Beatitude Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa Feodor II.
“We are one Orthodox family, and over time it becomes clear that Orthodoxy is becoming stronger that it can convey their message to the world, — said his Beatitude the Archbishop. — Faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church numbering millions, and we in Africa are going through, may say, the Apostolic age of the Church and preach the gospel to those people who did not know Christ. Together, we are one Orthodox family and has to maintain unity, to bear their testimony.”
Answering questions of media representatives, Chairman of the Department for external Church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion said: “the Celebration 1030-anniversary of the baptism of Russia reminds us of our common origins — is about the Dnieper baptismal font of the Holy Prince Vladimir, from which was born the Russian Orthodox Church, from which was born the one people, now divided into three people, but spiritually continues to maintain its unity. And guarantor of this unity is the Russian Orthodox Church, which has millions of believers in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other neighboring States, as well as a large number of believers scattered all over the world, which combines the spiritual and cultural space that transcends human limits, the human division.”
The Archbishop also recalled the profound impact of the adoption of Christianity in the world, moral character of the people, Russian culture. “It’s hard to imagine what would the history of Russia, and she would be history, if Prince Vladimir had not made that fateful choice. It is hard to imagine what would be the culture of Russia, if it were not for Russian Christianity,” — said Metropolitan Hilarion, noting that the best examples of Russian culture impregnated with the Christian spirit.