At the invitation of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, a delegation from the Coptic Church visiting Moscow made a fraternal visit to the Armenian Church in Moscow on July 21.

The delegation included Metropolitan Antonios of Jerusalem and the Middle East, Hieromonk Antonios al-Orshalami, a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Church and the representative of the Coptic Patriarchate in the Holy Land, Deacon William Fouad, Archimandrite Bartholomew (Petros), a member of the council of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monastic Life of the Russian Orthodox Church, Hierodeacon Vasily Nemets of the Sretensky Stavropegic Monastery, and Sergey Alyorov, an employee of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

The guests were welcomed at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral by Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan. Following the welcome ceremony, the delegation members, accompanied by their hosts, held a joint prayer service in the cathedral and then visited the Tapan Museum.

Archbishop Yezras presented the guests with information about the diocese’s spiritual, educational, and cultural activities. Drawing particular attention to the Coptic Church’s liturgical objects and sacred items displayed in the museum, he said:

“Throughout the centuries, our two sister churches have passed through history as one church united by faithfulness and brotherhood. Today, your visit is also a testimony to this. We express our gratitude and love to the leadership of the Coptic Orthodox Church and its devout faithful and declare our readiness to overcome together today’s difficulties, persecutions, and challenges.”

At the museum, the guests showed particular interest in a map-model of settlements in Artsakh, which presents Armenian place names and churches in Armenian and Russian. The display highlights sites that, according to Armenian sources, are currently facing destruction under Azerbaijani control.

“We pray for Armenia and the Catholicos of All Armenians, asking the Lord to grant peace to this blessed land. We also pray for the arrested archbishops and offer prayers for peace. We pray that Christians will no longer be subjected to persecution,” Metropolitan Antonios said.

Speaking about his impressions of the church complex, Metropolitan Antonios said:

“I am impressed and admire the beauty, architecture, and scale of the Armenian church complex in Moscow. The enormous efforts of Archbishop Yezras are truly admirable; in a relatively short period of time, he was able to build this cathedral and magnificent complex, which has become a center of spiritual life for the Russian-Armenian community.

This, in turn, testifies to his sincere devotion to serving God and the Holy Spirit working through him. Everything was built for the salvation of human souls.”

The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts.