Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church Department of External Church Relations, visited the WCC at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on 5 June, during a visit to Switzerland.
In a meeting with Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC, he reiterated the position of Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church that WCC remains important for the Russian Orthodox Church, and will continue to participate in WCC’s work.
The WCC general secretary expressed appreciation for this message. “Your presence here affirms that the Russian Orthodox Church is a part of the WCC’s work for unity and peace”, said Tveit.
Both agreed that the WCC should continue to be the place where churches can meet and discuss their concerns and ongoing issues.
After a brief update from Metropolitan Hilarion on the developments related to the situation in Ukraine, the WCC general secretary said that the WCC does not interfere in inter-orthodox issues, but cannot ignore what happens in the Orthodox family.
Tveit encouraged Metropolitan Hilarion to engage the Russian Orthodox Church in the preparations for the 11th WCC Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2021, particularly reflecting on its theme, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.”
Source: WCC
