Detailed biographical articles on RussianThe Patriarch is very much, but we will focus only on the main points of his life and on the fact that today many Orthodox Christians have had many questions and conflicting opinions related to his meeting with the Pope. Of course, even before that, many tried to denigrate and blame His Holiness for treason. However, everything is in order.
Patriarch of All Russia Kirill. short biography
In the world Vladimir Gundyaev was born in Leningrad in1946, on November, 20th. His grandfather and father were priests, mother - a teacher of German. Love for the Orthodox faith also led Vladimir and his brother to the priesthood. Sister Elena became an Orthodox teacher.
To think, his grandfather spent in prisons onSolovki 30 years of his life for his church activities and the struggle against Renovationism 20-40 years. Be that as it may, for all this, the Patriarch of all Russia, Cyril does not reproach Soviet power, because everything fits with intelligence, in-depth analysis and wisdom. He believes that during this period there were many bad and good things, and all this must be understood, and not make hasty conclusions.
The future Patriarch of All Russia graduated from Leningradtheological seminary and the academy with distinction. In 1969, he took the monastic vows with the name Cyril. And so, step by step, as a result of a gradual diligent work and sincere faith in the important things that he bears and preaches to people, according to the will of God, he reaches the highest degree of the priesthood.
Now he is the Most Holy Patriarch of Moscow and AllRussia. There was no more worthy candidature, and in January 2009 the Local Council of the Orthodox Church elected him to this post. No doubt, it was a very right choice.
Patriarch and Papa
Serious difficulties in relations between Catholicsand the Orthodox continued several centuries from the very moment when Catholicism broke away from the main and the main Orthodox Christian branch in 1054. Today, confrontations have shifted to a new, modern, more clever and embittered level, and if we do not start dialogue now, then irreparable things can happen.
Christian churches need to learn togetherto confront the new challenges of our time. The churches really began to strive for unity, but this does not mean that they are going to unite their efforts and conduct their discussions on the contentious issues of theology. By no means, through a single and new Christian view of events in the modern world, they need to learn to resist violence and lies and make every effort to protect their traditional values.
A meeting
And here is the first time His Holiness Patriarch Kirill in HavanaOn February 12, he met with the Primate of the Roman Catholic Church, and following a meeting in closed session they signed a mutual declaration consisting of 30 items. This signing was a new stage in the development of relations between the two largest religions.
In this document, in addition to the call for inter-religiousdialogue and religious tolerance, the persecution of Christian believers in the Middle East and Syria was discussed, where today innocent blood is shed in military conflicts, including on religious grounds. This is the main point of the declaration. Before the war, almost two million Christians of different religions lived in Syria, but the Islamists of IGIL "The Islamic State" - the terrorist movement banned in Russia - are persecuting these poor people, and they are forced to flee to Europe and neighboring Lebanon.
Declaration
Patriarch Kirill of all Russia and Pope Francis alsotouched upon the theme of the power joining of churches and confrontation in Ukraine between the Greek Catholics, the schismatics of the Kyiv Patriarchate and the Orthodox ROC of the Moscow Patriarchate. This very painful topic for a long time was a barrier to the meeting of church leaders in the 90s. The heads also discussed the issues of euthanasia, abortion and same-sex marriage, resolved in Europe and the United States. Although the approaches to this problem among Catholics and Orthodox churches are different. The Vatican does not support same-sex marriages, but tolerantly refrains from commenting on this topic, while the ROC MP has a clearer position. The theme of peace and religious freedom in long-suffering Ukraine was touched upon.
Smart dialogue
Patriarch of All Russia Kirill and His Holiness the PopeFrancis, understanding the history of the split between them, speak with respectful appeal to the whole suffering world as preachers of Christ. It is also important that the Catholic blessings did not receive European sanctions directed against Russia. The Kremlin did not hide the interest in this meeting and as an important component of the interreligious dialogue, and in the instrument of forging foreign policy, overcoming Russia's economic isolation, while taking into account the influence and authority of the Pope in Western political circles.
This meeting was an example for politicians, becauseToday, the threat of the outbreak of the Third World War is more perceptible than ever. Orthodox and Catholics should understand that they are brothers, not rivals, and simply have to live in peace and harmony.
We all need to love God and our neighbor, as Jesus Christ himself preached to people. And it does not matter what views this person holds, what kind of nationality and faith.
