Patriarch Kirill Meets Japanese Ambassador, Expresses Hope for Improved Ties

DECR & OCP News Service – 22/05/2025

Moscow- Russia: His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia held a meeting with Akira Muto, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Russian Federation, at the Patriarchal working residence in Chisty Lane on May 20, 2025. The discussion touched upon historical spiritual connections and the current state of relations between the two neighboring countries.

Ambassador Muto initiated the conversation by thanking Patriarch Kirill for the opportunity to meet and acknowledged the enduring spiritual ties between Russia and Japan, largely forged through the dedicated work of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nicholas (Kasatkin), Archbishop of Japan.

Patriarch Kirill, while recognizing the complex history of Russian-Japanese relations, emphasized a profound connection rooted in the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church. He referred to it as a “highly respected” Orthodox community and a direct legacy of St. Nicholas (Kasatkin), signifying a bridge between the two nations.

His Holiness also shared warm personal memories of his visit to Japan in 2012, recalling a service at the Resurrection Cathedral in Tokyo (known as “Nikolai-do”) and a particularly cordial meeting with then-Emperor Akihito. He viewed the Emperor’s warm reception as a positive sign of Japan’s disposition towards the Russian Church and, by extension, the Russian people.

Expressing his earnest desire for improved relations, Patriarch Kirill conveyed his hope that the current challenging period in Russian-Japanese ties would pass. He articulated the shared mission of both ambassadors and the Church: to foster peace between countries. “The mission of an ambassador is to promote the interests of his state, but also, as it seems to me, to care for peace between countries. And the Church has the same mission – to care for peace, and if peace is disrupted or difficulties arise, then from a spiritual and cultural point of view to make efforts to change relations for the better,” stated His Holiness.

The meeting concluded with discussions on further cooperation with the Japanese diplomatic mission in Russia and other topics of mutual interest. The gathering signals a continued engagement between the Russian Orthodox Church and Japanese diplomatic representatives amidst broader geopolitical considerations.

Source: DECR