Russian Orthodox Patriarch meets Edelstein

By JEREMY SHARON
12/11/2012

Kirill arrived in Israel as part of a world tour promoting his book, will visit various Christian sites in the country.

Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Minister Yuli Edelstein on Sunday met in Jerusalem with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill I, who is currently in Israel on an official visit as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Kirill arrived in Israel as part of a world tour promoting his book, Freedom and Responsibility, which has been published in more than 15 languages, including Hebrew.

The book, a collection of the patriarch’s speeches and articles, discusses the modern confrontation between secular, liberal values and religious ideals, arguing that religion can complement and supplement non-religious frameworks of ethical principles.

“Through your book, many people will be exposed to your words of wisdom,” Edelstein said at a press conference in the King David Hotel. “You have made great efforts to [advance] universal values and I hope that they will be realized in our life time.”

Kirill also met with Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger on Sunday at the offices of the Chief Rabbinate.

The patriarch arrived on Friday and visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem on Saturday, together with Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, where they conducted a prayer service for hundreds of worshipers.

He is expected to visit several other Christian holy sites including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Nazareth and a number of locations in the Galilee.

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