Patriarch Kirill highlights the need to revive the Russian language in Europe

Moscow, June 19, Interfax – Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia highlighted the importance of efforts taken by Russian journalists living in Europe to foster their native language in the cultural environment of European countries.

“Now more than ever, it is important to revive the power of the Russian word both within our Motherland and the Russian diaspora and within the pan-European tradition,” Patriarch Kirill said in a greeting to the 11th World Congress of the Russian Press held in Luzern, Switzerland.

Patriarch Kirill thinks that Russian journalists resident in foreign countries should join their efforts to meet this challenge.

“The integration of Russian newspapers, magazines, publishing houses, radio and television broadcasting companies including over 80 countries will ensure free and objective coverage of events both in Russia and abroad,” Patriarch Kirill said.

According to him, such cooperation will encourage and expand communication “not only among Russian nationals, but also among all Russian speaking individuals regardless of their origin and place of residence.”

The acting representative of the Moscow Patriarchate at the European International Organizations Archpriest Antony Ilyin has recently proposed to include Russian as an official EU language and promote this initiative by grass root efforts.

“The rights and interests of the Russian-speaking community in EU require protection at the representative political level. Otherwise, there will be no identity to discuss as early as in some 20-30 years. There will be a total assimilation,” the priest said.

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