Yesterday, 24 May, President Vladimir Putin received Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, in Moscow. Participating in the meeting was Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia.
Pope Tawadros was on a two-day visit to Moscow during which he was awarded the prize of the International Public Foundation of the Unity of Orthodox Nations. The Foundation declared that Pope Tawadros won the prize for his outstanding activity in promoting unity between Orthodox peoples, and fostering Christian values in the community. Patriarch Kirill presented Pope Tawadros with the prize in a ceremony held in Moscow on Tuesday 23 May.
Pope Tawadros gave a word in which he thanked Patriarch Kirill, the Russian Church, the Foundation, and the Russian people. He extolled the excellent relations between the Coptic and Russian Churches, and noted the considerable intensification of bilateral relations after his first visit to Russia in October – November 2014 and his then meeting with Patriarch Kirill.
Pope Tawadros spoke of our modern-day world dominated with materialism while at the same time hungry for love and peace. “We, as a Church, are responsible before God to sow the seeds of love and peace, ” he said. “In Russia you have a proverb which says: ‘Do good to your friends, they will love you more; do good to your enemies, they will become your friends.”
Using another Russian proverb: ‘The purpose of life is to gain happiness, and this the Lord has willed us to have; whoever looks for it attains God’s will’, Pope Tawadros confirmed that we are all called to uphold a culture of life … and happiness.
He concluded his talk by announcing that he dedicated the prize to the service of the civilizational centre in Egypt’s new administrative capital now under construction, which includes a church and a mosque.
Pope Tawadros, while on a visit to Kuwait late last month, had met the Emir of Kuwait. Earlier this month, he had audience with Queen Elizabeth in London; and last week with the President of Ireland.