The interfaith seminar "The Role of the Christian in Modern Russian Society" was held at the DECR

On April 15, the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate hosted a seminar "The Role of a Christian in Modern Russian Society", which was attended by representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists. The moderators were Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the DECR, and Yuri Kirillovich Sipko, Chairman of the RSECB.

During the seminar, a discussion took place on the following issues: "Christian Associations and the State", "Social Service of Religious Associations", "Patriotism in the Christian Understanding. Service in the Army and Alternative Service".

During the discussion of the interaction of Christian associations with the state, it was proposed to Orthodox and Evangelical Christians-Baptists to exchange information, provide each other with advisory and legal assistance and develop a common position on issues of church-state relations.

The seminar participants noted that when adopting a number of important laws, in particular, the Tax and Land Codes, officials did not take into account the wishes and interests of religious organizations, as a result of which the latter faced restrictions in their ability to conduct charitable and social activities. The social activities of both Orthodox and Evangelical Christian Baptists, in the opinion of those present, do not always find understanding with the state.

Sources

• Communiqué of the Seminar "The Role of the Christian in Modern Russian Society" // Official server of the Moscow Patriarchate. 2004. 15 April.