As part of the ongoing bilateral dialogue between the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, a delegation from the Malankara Church has arrived in Russia at the fraternal invitation of the Moscow Patriarchate. The delegation comprises monastics and representatives from the Church’s media department.
Over the coming days, the delegation will participate in meetings with monastics and media representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, and will visit various monasteries and church institutions to understand and learn from their life and ministry as part of this exposure visit.
The discussions will cover key areas such as theological education, strengthening ties and mutual visits between monastic communities, encouraging pilgrimages to holy sites of both Churches, collaboration between Church-run hospitals, and joint media initiatives. Notably, as part of the bilateral agreements, media productions are actively encouraged; the Russian Orthodox Church has already produced a two-part documentary on the St. Thomas Christians in India under this initiative.
This delegation is led by:
• Fr. Dr. Abey George (Diocese of Northeast America)
• Fr. Eldos Alias (Manager, Parumala Seminary)
• Fr. Dr. Vivek Varghese (General Secretary, MGOCSM)
• Fr. Antony Marvin D’Silva (Diocese of Brahmavar)
• Fr. Aaron Joshua John (Diocese of Delhi)
• Mr. Donn George Varghese (Secretary, Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE Society)
• Mr. Ribin Raju (Public Relations Officer)
• Mr. Jobin Baby (Gregorian TV)
This visit reflects the deep commitment of both the Malankara and Russian Orthodox Churches to strengthening global Orthodox unity and witness, fostering mutual understanding, and enriching the spiritual lives of the faithful through shared initiatives.