Orthodox Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, of the Patriarchate of Moscow, promoting ecumenical cooperation
Metropolitan Hilarion (Orthodox Wiki)
The pro-Vatican news agency Zenit.org interviewed Orthodox Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, of the Patriarchate of Moscow:
September 16, 2019
Hilarion represents the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow, the largest (in terms of the number of faithful) Church of the Orthodox world.
In an interview with ZENIT on the sidelines of the event in Madrid, Hilarion expressed: “Religious leaders are opinion-leaders, they have influence, they are very influential, too, and we must be together in order to demonstrate our unity in the desire for peace among people.”
Therefore, he came to Madrid, since “the Russian Orthodox Church believes it is very important that representatives of different religions work together for the achievement of peace among people and nations.”
Hilarion gave a speech during the opening ceremony of the meeting, Sept. 15, which continues today and tomorrow with 27 round tables on a wide range of world religious and social, economic, political issues. A solemn closing ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, Sept. 17, with the signing of a solemn “peace appeal.”
The Russian metropolitan started by quoting a great ascetic of the Russian Orthodox Church, Seraphim of Sarov: “Gain a spirit of peace and thousands around you will be saved.” Therefore, he remarked that “we know of numerous examples in which an attempt has been made to radically transform society and, in reality, have brought violence, hatred and social opposition. They were unsuccessful attempts precisely because, trying to change society, man did not change himself and was moved by the spirit of enmity and not that of peace.”
According to the Russian Orthodox Metropolitan, “today the dialogue between peoples and religions is increasingly necessary and urgent,” following the example of meekness, charity, forgiveness, offered by so many saints in Christian history, such as Francis of Assisi, who “preached peace to Muslims and related himself lovingly to all Creation.” …
Finally, in his address, Hilarion repeatedly recalled the joint declaration signed by Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill during their first, historic meeting in Havana, on Feb. 12, 2016: “the attempts to justify criminal actions with religious slogans are absolutely unacceptable”; “differences in the understanding of religious truths must not prevent people of different faiths from living in peace and harmony.”
“What do you hope from these encounters?,” Zenit asked Hilarion on the sidelines of the encounter, noting that she had also met him recently in the southern Italian city of Bari for an unprecedented ecumenical gesture for the Middle East, of Pope Francis with Christian leaders of the Middle East. That event too was organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio.
“Our hope is a peaceful world, peace among nations, peace in many places troubled now by internal conflicts or conflicts between different countries. We have many examples today, here in Madrid, when people spoke about how massive international problems were solved thanks to the goodwill of both sides of the conflicts.” https://zenit.org/articles/interview-metropolitan-hilarion-on-papal-visit-to-russia-we-continue-to-build-on-the-spirit-of-havana-2/
The Russian Orthodox Church has been a member of the World Council of Churches since 1961 and ecumenical cooperation is a major part of its peace plan (watch World Council of Churches Peace Plan).
The Vatican, which is not an official member of the World Council of Churches (though it sends accredited observers to the meetings and cooperates with the World Council of Churches) has long been interested in ecumenical cooperation with the Russian Orthodox.
Back in February of 2015, I posted the following:
Pope Francis has refrained from being highly critical of Russia in all of this for several reasons, including his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his desire to attain unity with the Russian Orthodox church.
The Russian Orthodox church has the most members of any branch of the Eastern Orthodox faith, and if Pope Francis wants to get ecumenical unity with the Eastern Orthodox, which of course he does, he likely has concluded that he needs to be careful to not directly offend them if he perceives that as possible.
Thus, the Vatican’s approach to Ukraine, in my view, is mainly one of alignment with the ecumenical and interfaith agenda that Pope Francis has. As I have written before, I believe that the Russian Orthodox will, for a time, provide at least tacit support for the changed ‘Catholic’ faith of the Church of Rome and the final Beast power that will arise in Europe. However, since the Bible shows that a Russian-led confederation will turn against the end time ‘daughter of Babylon’ that Europe will become (Jeremiah 50:41-43; 51:27-33), it would seem that the Russian Orthodox church will also distance itself from whatever version of religion that final Beast power will cling to (the Babylonian leaders will turn against the Church of Seven Hills according to the Bible–Revelation 17:9,16-18). (Thiel B. Russian Patriarch Kirill praises Vatican’s approach to Ukrainian crisis. February 4, 2015)
The Vatican is working on building ‘bridges’ between many religions and is interested in the Russian Orthodox.
The Russian Orthodox are interested in cooperation with the Vatican as Metropolitan Hilarion has just confirmed.
As far as the Eastern Orthodox Catholics go, there currently is schism between their Patriarchs Kirill and Bartholomew. But I do believe that Constantinople and Russia will cooperate ecumenically in the future–despite the current situation with Ukraine (e.g. ‘Ukraine Orthodox Church granted independence from Russian Church’).
Related to the schism. the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
In 2018, after an appeal by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko a growing rift between the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople (Bartholomew) and the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church (Kirill) became a schism. When Constantinople declared that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was granted ”autocephaly” (independence), the Russian Orthodox declared this was a schism and broke off Eucharistic communion with Constantinople. Like the ‘great schism of 1054,’ many see this schism as primarily political and not theological. Will this rift possibly be repaired? If so, will ecumenical unity be temporal? Who is mystery Babylon? Will Russia support the Beast of Revelation 13 and later be a leader in destroying end time Babylon? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more, plus provides additional historical information.
Here is a link to the sermonette video: Orthodox Schisms: What Will Happen?
Future biblical prophecies (e.g. Revelation 13) indicate however, for a time, the Russian Orthodox will go along with some of Constantinople’s and the Vatican’s ecumenical plans. Metropolitan Hilarion stated that the Russian Orthodox are interested in cooperation among religions, so that is further confirmation that steps in that direction are taking place.
But I also believe, that the Bible shows that Russians (and, by extension, also the Russian Orthodox) will one day turn against the Beast power that will arise in Europe–a Beast power that one day will, itself, turn against the Church of Rome per Revelation 17:15-18. Bible prophecy shows that Russia will lead a massive empire in the time of the end (Jeremiah 50:9,11,41-43; Isaiah 13:1, 17-19). As regular readers of this COGwriter Church of God page are aware, Russia is also developing more powerful weapons (see Donald Trump to cancel intermediate-range nuclear treaty–Russia issues warning and US confirms Russia’s ‘Kanyon’ torpedo–The Doomsday Weapon–could devastate the east and west coasts of the USA and Russia reportedly has a new type of radio-electromagnetic weapon: Amerigeddon?) which may well help it fulfill various prophecies.
For a time, Russia will likely have a treaty with Europe (cf. Revelation 13:3-4.8 and Ezekiel 27:13-14)–but this will not last (cf. Daniel 11:44). Ultimately, the Bible shows that a Russian-influenced coalition will destroy much of Europe (Jeremiah 50 & 51). However, that will not happen until towards the end of the ‘Day of the Lord.’ An event well over seven years in the future from now (see When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? The ‘Day of the Lord’?).
Before then, expect to see more cooperation between Russia and Europe, as well as between the Russian Orthodox and the Vatican.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy and a video sermonette available: Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are? What about the Russian Orthodox? Here is a link to a related sermon: Eastern Orthodox 40+ Similar Beliefs to the CCOG.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2019, 2020, or 2021? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2018 o 2019? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter and newer video is: Might the Great Tribulation start in 2019?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Armageddon Who is involved and when will this gathering happen? Here is also a video from Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel: Armageddon. Another video is: watch Is China paving roads to Armageddon?
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.
Mystery of Iniquity What is the mystery of iniquity? How did it start? How will it end? Two related sermons are also available: The Mystery of Iniquity and The Mystery of Lawlessness.
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
The ‘Unpardonable Sin’ and ‘Climate Change’? On September 7, 2016, Olav Fykse Tveit, Church of Norway Pastor, and the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, essentially declared that those who ignore ‘climate change’ are committing the ‘unpardonable sin’ and the Holy Spirit. Are those two even related? In this video, Dr. Thiel answers that and explains from the Bible what the ‘unpardonable sin’ is and how you can avoid it. He also discusses aspects of Christianity and the environment. This is a video.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! [Português: Esperança do salvação: Como a igreja do deus difere da maioria de protestantes]
United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? Two related videos include UN’s ‘New Universal Agenda’ is a False Gospel! and United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
Laudato Si: Pope’s Agenda or Kingdom of God? Pope Francis’ 2nd encyclical is titled ‘Laudato Si.’ In it, he goes over his views related to environmental, economic, social, moral, agricultural, and spiritual issues. He advocates international cooperation to solve various problems he believes are affecting humanity. Is that Pope’s agenda the solution? What about the Kingdom of God? does the Bible teach? Two related articles include Laudato Si: Will Pope Francis’ economic actions match his words? and Laudato Si: A call for a one-world government?
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