Russia’s Patriarch Kirill in Israel

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church has been in Israel for a couple of days:

Patriarch Kirill conducts liturgy over Holy Sepulchre

11 November 2012…

The service was attended by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and thousands of worshipers, and accompanied by the Choir of the Jerusalem Patriarchate and the Choir of the Moscow Sretensky Monastery. http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_11_11/Patriarch-Kirill-conducts-liturgy-over-Holy-Sepulchre/

Patriarch Kirill prays in Bethlehem

10 November 2012

The Russian Patriarch arrived at the main shrine of all the Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. His walk along the streets of the Old City was accompanied by the strikes of wands of the Church’s guards of honor.

Kirill I was greeted warmly by Theophilos III, the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The Russian Patriarch said in his speech he had come to pray at the holy sites – and especially in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher – “for peace across the whole world, for the prosperity of Churches and for the salvation of all and everyone.” http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_11_10/Patriarch-Kirill-prays-in-Bethlehem/

Russian Patriarch Kirill has been of interest for some time. Originally, prior to becoming Patriarch, he was considered to be opposed to unity with the Church of Rome, but since that time seems to have somewhat warmed up to the idea. This is partially because of his long relationship with Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, who has pressed for greater dialogue with Rome.

The fact that Patriarch Kirill was warmly received by the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem is consistent with the view that the Russian Patriarch may, for a while, cooperate with Orthodox efforts to get closer to Rome.

And such a union will be formed, with or without him. But this is a unity that the Bible warns against.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the sameEuropean 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?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics There are many problems that will happen if they unify, including make them part of end time Babylon.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Living 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?