His Holiness Pope Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow, has on Wednesday received in his residential headquarters at the St. Daniel Monastery His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and the delegation in His Holiness’ company. This is the first meeting between them since Pope Kirill was enthroned as Patriarch of Moscow and all of Russia in February 2009, and the enthronement of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II on the See of St. Mark in December, 2012. This meetings is by way of introduction and consolidating relationships between the two venerable Orthodox Churches.
Pope Kirill holds a luncheon banquet in honor of Pope Tawadros II and his accompanying delegation
Following the meeting, His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow held a luncheon banquet in honor of Pope Tawadros II and his accompanying delegation. His Grace Bishop Raphael, Secretary of the Holy Synod and General Bishop of the Churches of Downtown Cairo, had traveled to the Russian capital Moscow last March to prepare for this visit.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and His Holiness Pope Kirill exchange souvenirs
Following the official meeting, characterized mainly by warm welcomes and a spirit of amiability and affection, between His Holiness Pope Tawadros II with his accompanying delegation and His Holiness Pope Kirill, they each exchanged souvenirs, after which Pope Tawadros II granted gifts to those in his reception, including Metropolitans and Bishops of the Russian Church. On his part, the Patriarch of Moscow granted souvenirs to the delegation accompanying His Holiness Pope Tawadros II.
