Patriarch Theophilos meets with the Russian Ambassador to Israel
Patriarch Theophilos met with the Russian Ambassador. Photo: rusdm.ru
On August 11, 2021, in the Small Throne Hall of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Israel Anatoly Viktorov, according to the press service of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.
The meeting was also attended by Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantine, Chief Secretary of the Jerusalem Patriarchy, Archimandrite Alexander (Elisov), head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, Hieromonk Afanasy (Bukin), Treasurer of the Mission, and Alexander Gavrilov, the Second Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Israel.
The parties discussed issues of church-diplomatic cooperation, focusing on the topic of combating the spread of coronavirus.
"His Excellency Mr Ambassador and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos stressed the importance of maintaining the international church-state dialogue at a high level for the sake of preserving the Christian presence in the Middle East and noted the harmful attempts by destructive forces to split the unity of World Orthodoxy,” the Mission said.
As the UOJ reported, on August 5, a meeting between Patriarch Theophilos and the head of the DECR MP took place in Amman.
Read also
OCU parishioners in Kosmach sue each other over December 25 service
An OCU parish in Ivano-Frankivsk Region held no services either on December 25 or on January 7.
Analyst likens Bankova’s case against UOC to Stalin-era repression
Bondarenko said the way the authorities justify pressure on the Church may amount to the rhetoric of the totalitarian era.
Christmas caroling and festive concerts held across UOC eparchies
During the January celebration of the Nativity of Christ, UOC communities across the country sing carols, hold concerts, and organize charitable initiatives.
Primate: God’s law is written in every human heart
During a sermon in Boryspil, His Beatitude reminded the faithful of the meaning of Christmas and the need to live according to God’s commandments.
Media: Transgender-identified inmates sexually assault women in US prisons
Female inmates, who have been interviewed extensively as part of the research on the impact of gender ideology in custodial settings, describe the facility as “a haven for sexual predators who pretend to be transgender.”
Guardian: Bible sales in Britain hit new highs in 2025
Specialists are noting growing interest in Christian texts amid social change and a rethinking of faith’s role in contemporary society.