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On 22 July 2013 at the Patriarchal Residence at the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev of Moscow and all the Russias met with Metropolitan Tikhon Mollard, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of all America and Canada (sic). An OCA delegation came to Russia to participate in the celebrations of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus. Metropolitan Tikhon was accompanied by Bishop Alexander Golitzin of Toledo, Head of the OCA Office of External Relations and Interchurch Affairs, Archimandrite Alexander Pihach, representative of the OCA to the MP, Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor, Deacon Kirill Dotsenko, a clergyman at the OCA podvorie in Moscow, and Deacon Jesse Isaac, OCA Archdiocese of Canada. The MP side was represented by Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev of Volokolamsk, the Chairman of MP DECR, Bishop Kliment Rodaikin ofKrasnoslobodsk and Temnikov, Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Deputy Chairman of the MP DECR, Archpriest Igor Yakymchuk, DECR secretary for inter-Orthodox relations, and Archpriest Georgi Roshchin, representative of the World Russian People’s Council (VRNS) at the UN (assigned to St Nicholas Cathedral in New York NY).
His Holiness welcomed his guests, noting that he considered the visit of Metropolitan Tikhon to be very important, saying, “Over the last 25 years, there were great changes not only in the life of the Church in Russia, but also in the lives of our people. Today, many people in Russia identify with Orthodoxy. This is evident by the number of believers who attend services, including youth. An increasing number of churched people, those who are fasting, constantly receive communion. However, perhaps, the most important thing is that many now look for the motivation of their actions in Christian beliefs. We want to pray together with the Heads of the Local Orthodox Churches, to thank God for the grace manifested to the Russian people. However, at the same time, we want to pray together with all Orthodox Churches so that the Lord would bless our continued historical path. Many problems of various kinds face us… because the Church is large and our nation is great. A positive solution to these problems could have very good effects on people’s lives, but a negative one would slow the spiritual development of our people. We would like to see this general united (соборная) prayer give new impetus to the development of the spiritual life of our Church. The celebration will be in Moscow, Kiev, and Minsk… three capitals, the heirs of Holy Rus. For us, it’s equally important that, in all three places, these celebrations become a stimulus for further spiritual development”.
For his part, Metropolitan Tikhon thanked patriarch Kirill for his hospitality, saying, “Your Holiness, today, the Orthodox world faces some difficulties. As you know, both the USA and the OCA face a number of problems”. He thanked Patriarch Kirill for his help and wise counsel during the period of temporary difficulties experienced by the OCA in the recent past. They discussed bilateral issues and themes with an all-Orthodox character, and expressed a common concern about the threat to Christians in Syria, and to Christians in the Middle East in general. They showed special concern over the kidnapping of Metropolitan Boulos al-Yazigi of the Church of Antioch and all the East and Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Youhanna Ibrahim (Syriac Orthodox Church) by Syrian rebels.
After the talks, Patriarch Kirill drew attention to their works for the good of the Holy Church, and, in connection with the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus, presented the members of the OCA delegation with MP decorations. Metropolitan Tikhon received the Order of St Vladimir (I degree). Bishop Alexander received the Order of St Vladimir (II Degree). Archimandrite Alexander Pihach, Archpriest John Jillions, Deacon Kirill Dotsenko, and Deacon Jesse Isaac received the Order of St Vladimir (III degree). As a memento of the visit, Metropolitan Tikhon received a cross, two panagias, a small robe, and a bishop’s staff. The other members of the delegation also received gifts. Metropolitan Tikhon thanked Patriarch Kirill for himself and for the members of the delegation, and presented an icon of Patriarch St Tikhon of Moscow and all the Russias.
22 July 2013
Patriarchia.ru
Official MP Website
http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/3115901.html
Editor’s Note:
At present, there are delegations from the Churches of Antioch, Serbia, and Poland in Moscow, and the OCA group is the smallest and least-significant. Truly, Mollard’s received none of the usual perks of a recognised First Hierarch of an autocephalous Church (HH meeting them at the airport, military honour guard, private audience with VVP). Indeed, do notice that Archbishop Mark Golovkov served at St Catherine’s yesterday. As head of the Secretariat, he oversees MP establishments outside its traditional canonical territory. That was a hint to all “in the know” that the MP still considers North America its canonical territory, and that the OCA’s autocephaly is purely fictive, ephemeral, and conditional.
Do note that all of this took place BEFORE Lyonyo arrived at the Centre. No doubt, that’s deliberate. Lyonyo’s HATED… not only in this country, but at the Centre, too. He’s an obvious bumsucker of the American Establishment, and his CFR membership makes him anathema in many Russian circles.
Don’t read too much into the medals. Note well that the Canadian deacon, who’s just an immature smarkach (we Russians would call him a “сопляк”) kid with no real achievements, received one. So did Pihach… who’s in Moscow on the lam from the Winnipeg court. However, do mark down who DIDN’T receive one… Lyonyo. Is this a sign that Lyonyo’s lost the Mandate of Heaven? We’ll have to see…
BMD
Voices from Russia 
“Glory and Honour … Everyone Who Does Good”: Comrade Zyuganov Met with Patriarch Kirill at the Danilov Monastery
Tags: Christian, Christianity, communism, Communist Party of the RF, Communists, Danilov Monastery, Eastern Orthodox Church, Gennady Zyuganov, Kirill I of Moscow, KPRF, Moscow, Moscow Patriarchate, Orthodox, Orthodoxy, Patriarch Kirill, Patriarch Kirill I, political commentary, politics, Religion, Religion and Spirituality, Russia, Russian, Russian history, Russian Orthodox Church, VRNS, World Russian People's Council
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His Holiness Kirill Gundyaev Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias invited Gennady A Zyuganov, Chairman of the KPRF Central Committee, head of the KPRF faction in the RF Gosduma, to visit the patriarchal residence at the Danilov Monastery in Moscow. Patriarch Kirill served liturgy, dedicated to two eminent Russian historical figures, Prince St Daniil of Moscow and Grand Prince St Aleksandr Nevsky. On 12 September, the Church celebrates the finding of the relics of Prince St Daniil of Moscow (1652), as well as the translation of the relics of his father, Grand Prince St Aleksandr Nevsky (1724).
After a tour of the monastery grounds, Gennady Andreyevich went to the Patriarch’s residence, where Patriarch Kirill awarded Comrade Zyuganov the Order of Glory and Honour (Third Class). Patriarch Kirill warmly welcomed Gennady Andreyevich, giving him birthday greetings personally, and then solemnly presented him with the Order of Glory and Honour. His Holiness emphasised Gennady Andreyevich’s personal contributions to preserving traditional moral and spiritual values and the strengthening of interethnic and interreligious peace amongst the peoples of Russia. For instance, Comrade Zyuganov took part in all meetings of the World Russian People’s Council (VRNS) since the founding of the organisation.
Patriarch Kirill noted that the Church is outside of politics, but the Church is aware that political parties are vehicles for citizens to articulate their visions and make proposals for the development of society. However, one must see that the main thing is preserving the cultural and civilisational code of the nation, and its traditional core values. His Holiness noted that G A Zyuganov’s role in this and that of the KPRF is well-known, saying, “Since there are different forces in the political life of the country, the Church doesn’t identify herself with any one of them, but it always defends those fundamental values without which our people and our society can’t exist. Therefore, when it comes to preserving core values… and these values are faith, morality, culture, and our people’s unity… all the various political factions should stand united in that”.
In reply, G A Zyuganov said that the basis of our highest ideals are justice, friendship amongst the peoples, respect for every person, and honouring those whose intelligence and talent creates all good things. Comrade Zyuganov emphasised that Russia has always been uppermost in his priorities, saying, “I think that without the Russian spirit, Russian culture, Russian faith, and Russian traditions, it’d be impossible to unite the vast expanses of our country. Our strength and power… in truth and in dignity… was defended by such great ascetics as St Aleksandr Nevsky and such military geniuses as Suvorov, Kutuzov, and Zhukov”.
In thanks to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, Gennady Andreyevich gave him a medal of the KPRF Central Committee, “70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Crimea and Sevastopol from the Fascist Invaders”. Also in attendance were S P Obukhov, S A Gavrilov and A A Yushchenko, Deputies of the RF Gosduma KPRF Party faction, and Executive Secretary of the Interparty Duma Group in Defence of Christian Values O V Efimov.
12 September 2014
KPRF.ru
KPRF official website
http://kprf.ru/party-live/cknews/134536.html
Editor:
HH HONOURS the Left… that’s because the Left’s vision and that of the Church is more in sync than the fevered nostrums of the Neoliberals (“conservatives”) are. That is, Communists are closer to Christ’s ideals than the Republicans are (simply mouthing religious platitudes True Religion does NOT make). The Neoliberals are GODLESS… despite all their mewling about “Jayzuss”… they’re mindless devotees of the Almighty Dollar… followers of the Black Banner of Nihilism, Profit, and Perpetual Warfare. You can follow the Cross and the Red Banner, or you can follow the Dollar Sign and Jesus® (copyright held by Franklin Graham, no copying without due payment and express permission). The “respectable” and the powers-that-be crucified Our Lord Christ (after all, the First Century equivalent of Rick Perry crucified Him)… he wasn’t a social visionary, but that was one of the things that he preached about. I remember some earlier words of Comrade Zyuganov… “Christ was the first communist”. Indeed. You may follow Comrade Zyuganov, or you may follow Victor Potapov, Paffso, Rod Dreher, Alexander Webster, and those like them.
As always, the choice is yours… choose well… the choices ARE exclusive of one another…
BMD