Patriarch Chairs Meeting of Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill chaired a meeting of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society (IOPS). The Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society was established by Emperor Alexander III in 1882 to
facilitate Orthodox Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land and to
promote Palestinian studies and humanitarian cooperation with the
peoples of the biblical region.
The
Patriarch noted that during the Soviet era, the work of the Society was
carried on by the Russian emigration and that with the collapse of
communism, the Society was resurrected in Russia. He also
spoke of the important role the Society plays in organizing pilgrimages
and maintaining relations with the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Today
the IOPS is headed by former Prime Minister, Sergei Stepashin who was
also present at the meeting and spoke of the many achievements of the
Society in recent years, including the successful negotiations for the
resititution of former IOPS real estate from the Israeli government.
rocorunited.com