New head of DECR ROC: Church unity is under great threat

At the first meeting with the staff of the department, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk (Sevriuk), head of the DECR ROC, spoke about the difficult situation in the field of inter-Orthodox relations. It is reported by mospat.ru.

“Church unity is under serious threat, as we are being imposed a new order of the Church’s existence, while the old one, according to which the Church has lived for centuries, is being broken. They are trying to impose an ecclesiology alien to Orthodoxy <...> Today we live in a very difficult geopolitical setting, which, although not having a direct impact on us, involves us in one way or another, since the Church is an integral part of society, of course,” Metropolitan Anthony emphasized.

Speaking about the upcoming work as head of the Department for External Church Relations, Metropolitan Anthony noted that the goals and tasks facing the DECR have not changed since this synodal institution was established: “Everything the Department has been doing – strengthening ties between the Local Churches, establishing mutually beneficial dialogue with other Christian denominations and representatives of other religions, interaction with representatives of the authorities and public organizations (both in our country and in other countries where the Russian Orthodox Church is represented), assistance to our compatriots, who are scattered today all over the face of the earth, – all this will surely remain on our agenda.”

“We know that the Lord created the Church 'and the gates of Hades will not ocercome it' (Matthew 16:18). The Church has accumulated tremendous experience over the millennia of its history and has always coped with threats that occurred both from outside and from within Her. <…> The Department for External Church Relations is at the forefront of this struggle and defends the interests of the Russian Orthodox Church, the canonical order,” said the head of the DECR ROC.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Kirill wished the new head of the DECR "firmness and prudence."

Recall that Metropolitan Anthony (Sevriuk) was appointed to the post of head of the DECR ROC by the decision of the Synod of June 7, 2022. Prior to him, this position was held by Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) since 2009.

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