Welcome address to Mr I. S. Ivanov during his visit to the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions

Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev

Dear Igor Sergeevich, 

Last week you were a guest of the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Budapest, and today I have the honour of welcoming you to the Patriarchal Church of the Holy Trinity and the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions in Brussels. It is amazing that, in spite of your tremendous workload, you always find time to visit our church representations. May I express to you our heartfelt gratitude for the sincere care that you show to the Russian Church and its institutions abroad. 

The Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Brussels was created less than a year ago and began its work in November 2002. Its founding brought forth an very positive response among European political structures, the diplomatic world and church circles. The beginning of the Representation’s work was welcomed by Mr R. Prodi, President of the European Commission, and Mr W. Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, expressed his readiness for cooperation. Close ties have been established between us and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of Belgium, the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Communities, the Permanent Representation of the Russian Federation to the Council of Europe, the respective Embassies and Representations of Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, the Representations of the Churches of Constantinople and Greece to the European Union as well as Catholic and Protestant organizations. 

A special occasion in the life of our Representation was the visit of Queen Paola of Belgium on January 19, the feast of the Epiphany. For the first time in the modern history of Belgium Her Majesty visited a Russian orthodox church and was present at a service. This event had a tremendous positive significance for the entire Russian Orthodox community in the Kingdom of Belgium and was widely commented on in society. 

Your visit today, dear Igor Sergeevich, undoubtedly will write a new, bright chapter into the short history of our Representation. Your visit bears witness to the close and partner-like relations that have been established in Russia between the Church and State. These relations are characterized by mutual respect, trust and striving to cooperation while strictly maintaining the principle of non-intervention in each other’s affairs. 

I would like to wish you, dear Igor Sergeevich, God’s help in your very important and responsible work. May the Lord strengthen you in all your doings and may He keep you under His almighty protection.