The Visit to MSLU of Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk

On the occasion of 200 years since the foundation and 10 years since the resumption and lesser consecration of the in-house church of St. Mary Magdalene Equal to the Apostles, MSLU received an official visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department of External Church Relations and Rector of St. Cyril and St. Methodius General Church Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Studies.

His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion conducted a service of thanksgiving in the University church to commemorate the double anniversary and held a meeting with students specialising in Theology and Culturology. During the meeting, Metropolitan Hilarion was awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor and Honorary Member of the Academic Council of Moscow State Linguistic University.

The introductory remarks of His Eminence concerned the role and place of traditional religions in the modern world and the responsibilities of students and young people generally before the generations to come, in particular the need for their contribution to an ongoing inter-Christian and inter-faith dialogue founded on established moral laws, traditional family values and mutual respect. After this, the Metropolitan answered the students' questions.

In conclusion, Metropolitan Hilarion called the attention of those present to the necessity of sound canonical knowledge of traditional religions in order for them to be able to take a resolute stand against radicalism and extremism in this world – a mission entrusted to the MSLU students in their future careers.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, permanent member of the Holy Synod, chairman of the Department of External Church Relations and Rector of St. Cyril and St. Methodius General Church Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Studies, is also a composer and writer, author of more than 70 books and brochures and almost one thousand articles and scholarly papers. Some of his books have been translated into 16 foreign languages.