Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations, who is on a visit to Ethiopia, visited the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in Addis Ababa on June 3, where he met with the Primate of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Abuna Matthias.
Metropolitan Anthony conveyed to His Holiness the greetings and well-wishes of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
The interlocutors emphasized the traditionally fraternal nature of the ties between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Ethiopian Church, as well as the peoples of Russia and Ethiopia. Bishop Anthony thanked Patriarch Abuna Matthias for effective bilateral cooperation on international platforms.
The successful work of the Commission for Dialogue between the two Churches was noted.
The Primate of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church drew attention to the importance of continuing student exchanges, which have historically been of particular importance in inter-church relations, the development of contacts between the monastics of the two Churches and cooperation in the field of ecclesiastical art.
During the long-term communication, many other issues related to bilateral relations and the role of traditional Christian Churches in the modern world were discussed.