Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Metropolitan Hilarion, the chairman of the Department of External Church Relations and a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Moscow, held talks on Monday in Budapest on topics including Christian values, dialogue between the churches of the East and West, and war graves. Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén also attended the meeting.
Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister’s press chief said both parties agreed on the importance of protecting Christian values. They also agreed on the need to support the social activities of churches and help reinforce families. The Prime Minister declared that, in accordance with its historical traditions, Hungary is ready to help mediate between East and West, including dialogue between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches.
The Metropolitan Hilarion expressed his great appreciation for the recently signed agreement between the Russian and Hungarian governments, while Mr. Orbán expressed his gratitude to the Russian Orthodox Church for maintaining Hungarian war graves throughout Russia.
(Prime Minister’s Office)
