Meeting of the Metropolitan of Volokolamsk with an official of the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs of Austriatranslated

On August 20, 2026, the head of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Mr. Antonios met with the director of Directorate II.3 of the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs of Austria, Thomas Meulmann. The meeting was also attended by the Austrian ambassador to Russia, Gerhard Seiler, his deputy, Thomas Stelzl, as well as the ambassador's associate, E. Gurova.

Welcoming the Austrian delegation, Metropolitan Mr. Antonios noted that the visit is taking place in the year in which the Department of External Church Relations completes 80 years since its establishment.

The president of the Department referred to its history and contemporary activity, as well as its relations with the local Orthodox Churches, the various Christian denominations and representatives of other religions. At the same time, he presented the work of the ecclesiastical structures and delegations of the Moscow Patriarchate abroad.

Special mention was made of the presence of the Russian Orthodox Church in Austria. Metropolitan Antonios expressed his gratitude to the Austrian authorities for the attention...