US Secretary of State to have a hushed meeting with head of ROC DECR
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo. Photo: Facebook
On October 22, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets in Washington with the chairman of the Synodal Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk. The news about the meeting on Monday was published by the press service of the foreign office, reports TASS.
“At 3:30 pm (10:30 pm by the Kiev time – Ed.), Secretary of State Pompeo meets with Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk at the State Department,” the statement said.
It is noted that the conversation will be held in camera. The foreign office did not answer questions from the news agency about possible topics for conversation between Michael Pompeo and Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk.
As reported by the UOJ, earlier Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that the United States is putting the Orthodox Churches in the Middle East and North Africa under pressure, forcing them to recognize the OCU. According to him, the United States Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, “publicly demands that all Orthodox Churches recognize the illegal, non-canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine”, while in Ukraine “he is busy not so much promoting religious freedom as imposing politically motivated decisions on religious communities."
Read also
Major U.S. hospital network refuses to implement new assisted suicide law
Advocate Health Care said it would not participate in Illinois’ assisted suicide program.
OCU activists call TRC to service of persecuted UOC community in Kremenchuk
After seizing the Holy Trinity Church in Kremenchuk, Dumenko's followers attempted to disrupt the worship service of UOC believers held in the open air.
Bila Tserkva authorities attempting to seize monastery building from UOC
The Bila Tserkva City Council is attempting to reclaim the buildings of the St. Mary Magdalene Convent for communal ownership through the courts.
Egyptian police arrest Christians targeted in Muslim attacks
Copts were released once they withdrew their complaints against their assailants.
Primate of Macedonian Church congratulates Lavra's abbot on name day
Archbishop Stefan noted the zeal of the Lavra's abbot, who shares the sorrows of his flock.
Persecuted community in Stari Broskivtsi marks patronal feast in new church
The rector thanked the faithful for building a new church to replace the one that was seized.