MOSCOW, June 28 (Itar-Tass) - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia holds that European countries where Christianity is practiced should uphold basic moral values more actively.
“Deplorably, propaganda of amoral and hedonistic way of life is now widespread. Basic social institutions, such as family and marriage, are questioned,” Patriarch Kirill noted in his message to the 20th forum of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy that opened in Athens on Thursday. The patriarchal press service published the message.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church holds that in the present conditions “of much importance are coordinated efforts of those who are not indifferent to the future of our civilization, as the above-mentioned phenomena spread on a global scale and should be opposed jointly.”
Patriarch Kirill expressed the conviction that success in preserving the Christian foundation of European culture and the moral mainstays of society largely depends on the contribution of Christian parliamentarians.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church noted that the activity of the Assembly continues over two decades and that a large number of representatives of many countries are involved in its work. “This attests to the need of open discussion of topical problems with which Orthodox Christians in many countries are concerned,” Patriarch Kirill holds.
The theme of the current meeting held from June 27 to July 2 is “Parliamentary democracy and Christianity: Orthodox values and notions”.