Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk met with journalists after the meeting between Patriarchs Bartholomew and Kirill. On his arrival in Constantinople, Patriarch Kirill venerated several relics.
The first part of their encounter followed the official format, but then the two of them had a confidential conversation, in the presence of only Metropolitan Emmanuel of France and Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk.
‘The talk lasted in total about two and a half hours. It was very frank, very cordial; it really was a talk from heart to heart’, highlighted Metropolitan Hilarion.
Indeed, both patriarchs are close to each other, since their first official meeting in 1977. They actually started working together before that, when they were not yet patriarchs.
‘This meeting was important first of all for the strengthening of personal relationships between the two patriarchs and, of course, for strengthening bilateral relations between our two Churches. The interlocutors touched upon a wide range of issues including those on the agenda of the bilateral relations, as well as problems of pan-Orthodox unity. The talk, which began in a very sincere atmosphere, ended on a very friendly note, and the patriarchs exchanged gifts’, Metropolitan Hilarion continued, who foresees this historical encounter to become historic.
Please find here the Q&A between Metropolitan Hilarion and the journalists.
Source in English (with picture)
