They discussed a wide range of issues concerning cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church in Catalonia, especially in cultural and educational areas.
Metropolitan Hilarion thanked Cardinal Sistach for the attention to the Russian Orthodox community in Barcelona, one of the largest Orthodox communities in Spain. The Archbishop of Barcelona, on his part, expressed a high appreciation of the role played by the Russian Orthodox Church in asserting the gospel witness in today’s world.
In conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Hilarion presented his interlocutor with a copy of the recently published Spanish version of Patriarch Kirill’s book “Freedom and Responsibility. In a Search for Harmony”.
On the same day, the DECR chairman and Cardinal Sistach attended a concert given in the Basilica of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia) in Barcelona by the Russian National Orchestra and the Moscow Synodal Choir who recited Metropolitan Hilarion’s oratorio “Passion According to St. Matthews” put into literary Catalan.
Present at the concert were Russian Ambassador to Spain Yu. Korchagin, Russian Consul General in Barcelona Yu, Klimenko, diplomats accredited in Catalonia, local Orthodox faithful, Catholic clergy and over four thousand listeners.
After the concert Cardinal Sistach took Metropolitan Hilarion on a tour of Sagrada Familia, one of the main architectural sights in Barcelona. Designed by outstanding architect Antoni Gaudi, this church has being built since 1882, reflecting the complicated history endured by the Roman Catholic Church in the 20th century.
