MOSCOW: February 2, 2012
The Patriarch Meets With the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

On February 2, 2012, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, at the Patriarchal Residence at Danilov Monastery in Moscow. They discussed matters pertaining to the upcoming fifth anniversary of the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church expressed his heartfelt greetings to Metropolitan Hilarion, stressing the importance of the coming anniversary in strengthening church unity.

A committee had been established by His Holiness in response to an appeal submitted by members of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad for discussing matters relating to bolstering ecclesiastical solidarity. The first meeting of this group was held in Moscow in November, 2011.

The Primate of the Russian Church Abroad informed His Holiness that the Synod of Bishops was preparing for the celebration. “We hope, with your blessing, to come to Russia on the anniversary itself and to share the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the establishment of our unity with the entire flock,”  said Metropolitan Hilarion.

These celebrations will take place in May 2012. The signing of the Act of Canonical Communion took place on May 17, 2007, in Christ the Savior Cathedral.

Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia