Archbishop of Canterbury Visits Russia and Draws Attention to Plight of Christians in Middle-East

Our expanded newscast at Russia 24 will show an interview with an Englishman who's already arrived in Moscow. It's the Archbishop of Canterbury. For those who are far from the church, the status of his Anglican Church is almost the same as that of Russian Orthodoxy before the Revolution.

Our expanded newscast at Russia 24 will show an interview with an Englishman who's already arrived in Moscow. It's the Archbishop of Canterbury. For those who are far from the church, the status of his Anglican Church is almost the same as that of Russian Orthodoxy before the Revolution. The Anglican church in Britain is still tied with the state. One of the Queen's titles is the Defender of the Faith, meaning the Anglican faith. And the Archbishop of Canterbury is the supreme priest. And he met Patriarch Kirill for the second time.

The previous meeting took place in October 2016, when Patriarch Kirill arrived in London on a pastoral visit timed to the 300th anniversary of the Russian Church in the British Isles. Moscow has not only the Orthodox Church of Christ the Savior but also the Anglican St. Andrew’s Church, where the Archbishop of Canterbury came to his flock. First, he was received by the Patriarch in the Danilov Monastery. Later, we also talked to Justin Welby in the British ambassador's residence along the Sofiyskaya embankment.

 

- Your Grace, welcome to Russia.

- Thank you very much.

- I noticed that our president and prime minister, our political leaders, do not meet as often as you and Patriarch Kirill. This is due, of course, to the state of bilateral relations. But still, what draws the Church to each other?

- A number of things. First, our relations with the Russian Orthodox Church have a very long history, they’re about 450 years old.

- And so are political relations between Moscow and London.

- Yes, but I think it's fair to say that our relations continue even when political relations are in decline. Secondly, the Russian Orthodox Church as a world church has an important place, since it is a very large and rapidly developing Church. It is quite influential in Russia, and Russia itself is a very important country. Therefore, we consider it necessary to continue communication and discuss issues that can both divide us and join us together.

- I will quote the Patriarch who told you about the need for a dialogue about traditional values. It was in the news-feed too. But I also remember the words of another person, my friend, a leftist liberal from a Catholic country. Once, speaking with him, I lamented what I believe were somewhat conservative views within the Church. He suddenly replied: "Who else should protect traditional values, if not the Church?" What values ​​do you share with the Russian Orthodox Church?

- Well, we start with the value of worship of God and Jesus Christ, we are Christians. Secondly, human dignity, the value of being a man, created and preserved by God. Then, caring for the poor, for those left behind by the society. Here, in the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent, we saw the results of the work of people working with children with special needs. These are our typical common values ​​of good. Differences are where we, at first glance, share the values, for example, family values, but which manifest differently in different cultures. So, we discuss them in a respectful way. Anyway, further conversation is necessary.

- Your Grace, you do have differences with the Russian Orthodox Church. Take, for example, female clergymen in your Church.

- Yes, indeed.

- Yet, I understand what you fully agree on. It's the protection of Christians in the Middle East.

- Yes.

- What can be done to protect them? Where are they the most at risk of extinction?

- Clearly, they are the most endangered in Iraq and Syria, where we witness painful, terrible events occuring. But also in Egypt, where many were killed, in Libya, in some regions of Africa and other countries. The Anglican community has lost many churches and believers around the world over the past 5 years. This is the most painful news I get every day. But it's noteworthy that in other parts of the world and in the Middle East in particular they are not necessarily subjected to physical attacks, but are forced out of the cultural life under pressure from various groups or as a result of hostilities. Minorities as a rule, do not thrive during wars. What is needed now is a call for peace. What do we to achieve this? Firstly, like the Russian Orthodox Church, we draw people's attention to this threat. Several years ago a Muslim leader described Christians in the Middle East as the cement that prevents the entire region from collapsing. Without Christians, this territory would be weaker. But so many people were killed or forced to flee to other countries. A whole culture, founded more than 2000 years ago, suffered a major blow. We are also looking for possible ways to jointly help Christians to return to their homes and restore their native communities. Personally, I collaborate with many organizations that want to help Christians in the Middle East.

- Your Grace, thank you. Have a good time in Russia. Thank you very much.