PATRIARCH KIRILL DOES NOT WANT TO DISCLOSE DETAILS OF MEETING WITH PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW, CITING ITS CONFIDENTIAL NATURE
Interfax-Religiia, 31 August 2018
Patriarch of Moscow and all-Rus Kirill refused to disclose details of his conversation with Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew, which was held Friday in Istanbul.
"We discussed all matters that concern us, but since this was a fraternal conversation, I would not want to share details with you without the consent of His Holiness," Patriarch Kirill said to journalists before his departing flight to Moscow.
At the same time he specified that there was nothing secret at the meeting, "nothing such as would produce some bomb in the mind."
"The conversation was very proper and a conversation of the heads of two churches who recognize their responsibility for the state of ecumenical Orthodoxy and for the state of the human souls in those places and those countries which are within our responsibility," the patriarch noted.
On the whole, he said, this was a "good meeting and there was a very good atmosphere." "We discussed all those problems that are on the agenda today. I hope, and we will work together in the future so that the world will become better," Patriarch Kirill summed up.
He also reported that at the meeting, the topic of the continuation of pan-Orthodox dialogue was discussed.
"After all, problems continually arise, which are challenges for the church from a pastoral point of view. The world changes rapidly," the patriarch said. At the same time he recalled that in accordance with the ecclesiastical structure, one Orthodox church cannot make a decision that would contradict the position of another Orthodox church.
"Therefore we simply are programmed for interaction and cooperation, and since the world changes quickly, this cooperation must be rather dynamic," he added. (tr. by PDS, posted 31 August 2018)
PATRIARCH KIRILL REMINDS BARTHOLOMEW ABOUT WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR ORTHODOX WORLD
Patriarch of Moscow and all-Rus Kirill, at a meeting with Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew in his residence in the Phanar quarter of Istanbul, recalled the responsibility of the primates "for the whole of Christ's church" and for maintaining the unity of the Orthodox world.
"I have very bright memories connected with this place, because we never did anything that would harm ecumenical Orthodoxy. Because we bear responsibility for the whole church, for the whole body of Christ," Patriarch Kirill said in greeting the primate of the Constantinople church.
In his turn, Patriarch Bartholomew, in opening the meeting, noted that he was pleased to welcome Patriarch Kirill to his residence. "Every time that you come, it is joy for us, joy in discussing together questions that are of mutual interest," he said.
"We believe in the power of dialogue. . . . Dialog is the path that God himself pointed out to us," Bartholomew added.
He called attention to the fact that on this day numerous bishops are present in the patriarchal residence, members of the Holy Synod of the Constantinople church, since the meeting of the primates actually coincides with the beginning of an assembly of bishops of the ecumenical patriarchate, which continues, as a rule, for several days.
On his part, speaking about the importance of dialogue, Patriarch Kirill noted the difference between a dialogue that politicians conduct and a dialogue of representatives of churches. The patriarch said that in conversations that politicians conduct, each one is defending the interests of his own side, but in a dialogue among churches, the most important thing is the fundamental unity of Orthodox Christians belonging to the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church."
"And this imposes on us definite responsibility and obligations, but at the same time it gives both strength and inspiration for our ministry," Patriarch Kirill emphasized. (tr. by PDS, posted 31 August 2018)
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