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Today we have press conference with the chairman of external church affairs department of Moscow Patriarchy,
Metropolitan Ilarion of Volokolam.
It is devoted to the results of council of heads of the Middle East churches,
which was held in Istanbul on September 1-3,
and preparation for the All-Orthodox Council.
I would like to tell you about idea of the All-Orthodox Council.
The idea was born 50 years ago, when consultations on calling of the Orthodox Church Council began.
Because of certain history circumstances the Orthodox Church hadnt been gathering in full for many centuries.
The topic of preparation for All-Orthodox Council has been discussed in various regional events,
held by these or that Eastern patriarchs.
These events were devoted to the Middle East issue, as this theme is relevant today.
In the countries of the Middle East such political changes take place
which endanger Christianity in the whole set of countries,
where the Christians have been living for many centuries,
where they have lived and are living together with Muslims.
For example, huge concern is caused by the situation in Egypt,
where terrorist attacks are lasting since the beginning of 2011.
Christians have found themselves in very difficult situation there.
The situation in Libya is dangerous too, as well as in Syria.
Great pressure is brought by the Western powers on the current political administrations of the countries.
However, it is not clear how these powers see future development of the states
and how they are going to provide security of Christians.
Tragic situation with Christianity is in Iraq.
Under Saddam Hussein Cristians, Muslims and representatives of other religion groups lived together peacefully,
and where about 1.5 million Christians lived.
Today less than a half left there.
Most of them were killed, others were driven out the country.
And the situation is worsening only.
The heads of religion groups and representatives of the political world are paying attention to these aspects.
This spring the European Parliament adopted the resolution on Christians in various regions of the world.
On May 30th, 2011, Holy Synod of Russian Orthodox Church
discussed the situation and problems of Christians in various parts of the world
and adopted a special statement on the issue.
Later several regional meetings were held.
For example, in Jordan on August 1st the representatives of Antioch, Jerusalem and Cyprus Churches met.
On August 23rd a meeting was held in Cyprus,
where representatives of Jerusalem and Cyprus Churches participated.
And one more meeting was carried out in Istanbul, where representatives of Constantinople,
Alexandria, Jerusalem, Antioch and Cyprus Churches participated.
Agendas of these meetings were devoted to the Middle East.
The problems of Christians and ways of their solution were discussed
by representatives of Churches from the Middle East region.
Also preparation for Holy Orthodox Council was discussed.
It was suggested to held primates council ahead to consider development of a working plan
for inter-Orthodox preparation committees and reconsideration of decision making approach.
I would like to explain it.
During 50 years consensus approach has been the only way of making a decision.
It was an approach which enabled churches to participate in inter-Orthodox Council process
and to take such decisions, which are acceptable for all regional Orthodox churches.
If decisions are made by simple majority of voices,
any church can find itself in the situation when a taken decision contradicts its position.
Without any doubts, it will reflect on all inter-Orthodox relations.
As far as I can see there is no any serious obstacle for calling the all-Orthodox Council.
It is important that regional Orthodox churches will be consolidated.
It is important to prevent destabilization of the situation in the Orthodox world.
I think that refusal from the consensus approach is very dangerous,
as it can cause disputes and conflicts in the family of Orthodox churches.
I think we should cooperate with each other, make decisions which are acceptable for all churches.
None of churches should try to impose its view on other churches.
We should prepare Holy Orthodox Church Council together,
hoping it will be a consolidating rather than separating factor.