DECR Secretary for Inter-Christian Relations Visited Ethiopia

OCP News Service – 03/02/2023

Moscow – Russia: With the blessings of Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, the DECR Secretary for Inter-Christian Relations, Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), visited the Federative Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on a working trip from January 18 -23, 2023. The trip took place during the celebration of the Epiphany.

The representative of the Russian Orthodox Church held meetings with representatives of the Hierarchy of the Ethiopian Church. Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov) conveyed the greetings of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to His Holiness Patriarch Abune Matthias of Ethiopia.

A wide range of issues on the agenda of bilateral cooperation was discussed, including those related to the activities of the Dialogue Commission established following the meeting of the Primates of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Church held on May 17, 2018, in Moscow. The DECR Secretary for Inter-Christian Relations stressed the historical nature of the friendly ties between Russia and Ethiopia. Russia’s active support has taken on special significance in recent years, which has become a time of difficult trials for millions of Ethiopian Christians.

During his stay in Ethiopia, Hieromonk Stefan also visited the Holy Trinity Theological Academy, the oldest theological school of the Ethiopian Church, ancient churches, and monasteries. In addition, a number of separate meetings were held with representatives of the state leadership of Ethiopia, the Russian diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa, and other religious communities in the country.

Source: DECR

OCP News Service