НОУ Елизаветы Фоминой, ученицы 10 класса на тему "Православная дипломатия"

ЧОУ РО НЕРПЦ (МП) Гнилицкая православная гимназия имени святителя Николая Чудотворца

Реферат по английскому языку на тему

«Church Diplomacy»

Выполнила ученица 10 класса ЧОУ РО «Гнилицкая православная гимназия» Фомина Елизавета

                                           Нижний Новгород

                                                      2017

Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………….…3

Main Part. 1. The Definition of Church Diplomacy……………………………...4

2. The History of Russian-British relations………………………………...….....5

3. Jacob Smirnov and His Activity……………………………………...…..……7

4. The 20th Century……………………………………...…………………….....9

5. Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and All Saints in London …………………………………………………………………………………...10

6. Patriarch Kirill’s Visit to London……………………………………………....……………………...……12

7. Patriarch Kirill’s Visit to Cuba…………………………………………………...…………………………14

Project…………………………………………………………………………….15

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..19

Bibliography………………………………………………………………………20

Introduction

My science work is called «Church Diplomacy». The reason why I chose this theme is that Orthodox Christianity is my faith and I am interested in anything connected with it.

The actuality of this work is reasoned by the tension in the modern sphere of international relations is growing. Many countries use religion as a political mean of causing extremism and terrorism. That is why I’ve made a hypothesis that church diplomacy, on the contrary, can play an enormous part in expanding peace around the globe.

Thus, this theme is really up-to-date in the modern world being on the edge of another world war.

The aim of this work is to analyze Russian Orthodox Church’s missionary and diplomacy activity from the point of it being an effective method to make the relations between Russia and other Christian countries better and to follow main historical steps of church contacts of Russian and other English-speaking countries.

The tasks of the work:

• To give the definition to the concept of church diplomacy;
• To figure out main branches of church diplomacy;
• To find the importance of famous Russian diplomats in the history of Russia;
• To get to know about ambassadorial churches abroad;
• To find the connection between Russian international policy and church diplomacy at different times.

In the course of research I used the methods of historic-comparative analyze, which gave me an opportunity to look through Russian Orthodox Church’s activity, taking into consideration particular historic events and the peculiarity of Russian international policy at a certain stage. I used many sources, among which are Patriarch Kirill’s performances at different meetings, conferences and interviews; the performance of the Minister of foreign affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov on the point of the meaning of Russian Orthodox Church in the modern world and the others.

The Definition of Church Diplomacy

What can we call church diplomacy?

Church Diplomacy is the activity of many generations of church workers on the development of international relations. As it is known, diplomacy is one of the most ancient human’s activities, which is today responsible for the impression which a country makes in the international family of nations. [3, 2]

What branches does church diplomacy have?

The first branch is inter-Christian dialogue between the Roman-Catholic Church and other Christian confessions in Russia and other countries.

The second is the dialogue between state organizations of Russia and other countries, social international organizations – the meetings with politicians, diplomats and taking part in international forums.

The specification of church diplomacy is also determined by the character of the Church’s mission. Its main purpose is to save people. That is why the Church is not indifferent to how the spheres of social life influence the attainment of its purpose.

There are lots of themes to discuss, for example, peacemaking (Russian Orthodox Church have always tried to stop any armed confrontations or to help the victims), protection of human rights, social service and charity, ecology, science, culture and educational development.

Another important aspect is that church diplomacy strictly follow moral rules.

 «We highly appreciate the role that is played by the Russian Orthodox Church, gradually contributing to the harmonization of international relations. », - Sergey Lavrov said. On the 27th of September 2013 the UN Soviet stated that deep understanding and respect of traditional values bring the encouraging and protection of human’s rights and freedoms. Lavrov emphasized the importance of close cooperation between the Ministry of foreign affairs and Moscow Patriarchate for successful promotion of Russian interests on the international arena.

The History of Russian-British relations

In the 19th-20th centuries a new kind of myth about Russia was formed in English culture and literature. Its basis was formed by typical Christian British ideas and ascents which also formed the structure of traditional group. However, previously Russia was considered anti-Christian «strange», nowadays the structural center of Russian new image form the Christian «our».

 The attitude towards the Russians as towards pagans or heretics (which is even worse) can be found in Chancellor statements not only in often repeated «barbarians» and «idolators» but in  direct opposing the Russian Prince to «Christian Princes»: «I am convinced that if people who could explain this to the Russian Prince were found in those lands, he would be undefeatable for the two best and powerful Christian princes».[10, 60].

 This attitude is the leading one in further development of Russian image in fictional literature. In «Extracts out of Sir J H's Observations in seventeene yeares travels and experience in Russia» by Jerome Horsey (1571-1591) it is expressed in the words of «wild Scythians»; George Turberville in his poetic descriptions draws a picture of Russians being «barbarians», similar to «Turks» in behavior, «prone to terrible sins», drinking as hard as if «Bacchus» himself taught them, vulgar, decisive in there religiousness, worshipping «idols» even in the sacred space of church.

In Christian coordinates system Russian image in English literature even at those times, undoubtedly, is contradictory to English image as something strange unchristian (pseudo Christian, more correctly) to «our» truly Christian. William Warner in his famous «Albion’s» (1586) kings Idel and Idelbright are depicted as being connected  by «links of happy» friendly «love», remembering of God and caring of their souls clarity.

In foreword to Edmund Spenser’s poem «The Faerie Queene» (1589) the author creates «divine» all-lightening image of sinless, in all her glory ruling Elizabeth, queen of England – of that «greatest island».

The same comprehension of Russian as of not Christian or pseudo Christian (basically claiming British to be truly Christian) lies in the foundation of estimates appearing in English literature (and culture on the whole) in future.

Sympathy that was continually raised by Peter the First figure never wholly changed the totality of Russia description in literature. In his capital work “The History of England from the Accession of James the Second” (1847– 1849) Thomas Babington Macaulay says that during the reign of Peter the Great Russia continued to be the same “Scythian desert”, a “wild and barbarian” country, unimportant and exotic  to “educated European nations”, - the same as “Bukhara and Siam for us now”; that historians described “terrible  ignorance and poverty of the barbarian country” as well; that Peter himself, free of “superstitious predilections of his religion” made an impression of  a “wild tyrant” [10,  61–68].  

Here we need to note Metropolitan Platoon (Levshin; 1737–1812), who was the head of Moscow faculty at the times of Catherine the Second, Paul the First and Alexander the First. Being a highly educated person and outstanding preacher, he successfully defended church’s interests under the pressure of authority. His works are popular in Europe; many foreigners came to Russia to meet him. An important meeting of Cambridge representatives and Metropolitan Platoon in Moscow was held. After this event, the book «A Trip to Russia» was written. [4, 3]

Metropolitan Platoon was the founder of inter-Christian relations: he corresponded with other Christian communities, for instance, with the representatives of English Church. Napoleon Bonaparte had an initiative not only to strengthen his state relations, but the church ones with Russia also. According to it, Archbishop of France offered Metropolitan Platoon the idea of uniting Roman-Catholic Church and the Russian one. The offer was politely declined: «The idea itself is opposite to the spirit of Russian people». This means that Platoon was against the thought of the Christians of different confessions getting closer and using this aspect in political use.

Another Church diplomat, Metropolitan Philaret, was also against the inter-Christian dialogue. He is known to be visited by the Evangelists from America. This is mentioned in the book of Krasnopevkov «Church Housekeeping and Theological Negotiations».

Jacob Smirnov and His Activity

One of the most prominent workers of our Church abroad was Jacob Smirnov (Linitsky). He was born in 1759 in Harkov Region in the family of a village priest. He was educated in a seminary.

In 1776 Jacob was sent to London as a student of archpriest Samborsky. The purpose of the trip was to make the students do church services and also do some agriculture work. Linitsky thought it to be a great opportunity to get important knowledge and experience.

“Fr Yakov was very interested in agriculture, and was executing lots of commissions of every kind. He also was, first unofficially, then as part of his duties, taking care of young students from Russia who were studying in Britain. He liked helping the British, too; the letters of recommendation that he was giving to Britons travelling to Russia – governesses and philosophers, merchants and scholars – was an aid to their adjustment to an unfamiliar country.” [1,71]

Moving to St. Petersburg, Samborsky made students sure that Ukrainian names may be the obstacle to fulfilling his plan as some of the members of Parliament could have been prejudiced about it.  That is why all the men chose themselves nicknames, Linitsky chose Smirnov as in Latin «lenis» means «calm, quiet». This surname Jacob used till death.[5]

In autumn of 1779 Jacob returned to St. Petersburg but no matter some family troubles, Catherine the Second  on October 9 (20) 1780 sent him to service in London. A week later Jacob was consecrated by Innokentiy, Pskovsky Bishop.

Smirnov’s activity is notable not only for service in London but for taking part in diplomacy. For many years he was a close assistant of an outstanding Russian diplomat, ambassador to London Count Simon Woronzow.

In 1791, during one of the crises in Russo- British relations, Fr Jacob, together with John Paradise and the secretary to the Ambassador, worked for several months, from morning till night, organizing a press campaign against the war with Russia, which was planned by the British government and the war was averted.

In 1800 there was a break of diplomatic relationship between Russia and England. Russian attorney Lizakevich was sent out of England. As there we no more official Russian representatives in London and there still was a need to deal with England somehow, Pavel the First by means of imperial rescript of the 29th of September

1800 made Smirnov, who at that time was the prior of ambassadorial church, officiate as Russian attorney. Alexandrenko, a professor, says:

«That was the first case of giving such commission given to a person from Church in contemporary history. But it is important to note that as an attorney Smirnov was not officially recognized by English government. No letters of credence were given to him or shown by him; however, in fact, he maintained the relationships with English Ministry».

There are some Smirnov’s diplomatic reports on political affairs and Parliament sessions in Great Britain kept in Moscow archive of foreign affairs. This might have been the reason of putting Jacob to jail.[1,67]

Apart from this, Jacob guided Russian students, did science and literature works, corresponded with many prominent British people and other foreigners. More than that, an English pastor Tuk used Smirnov’s denotations to write the history of Russia during Catherine the Second’s reign.

Fr Jacob was elevated to the rank of Archpriest in his thirty-eighth year of service.

The way that Jacob behaved and dressed himself was a surprise to his visitors. He had non-priestly appearance and wore a quaintly in old-fashioned English manner: a long-tailed frock coat, gaiters, and a powdered wig. Thus he was usually considered to be an English lord. ‘His dress was of a lord from bygone days… he looked like a Dutch portrait come to life’ (artist Fedor Iordan, 1830). He loved England, yet did not forget Russia: ‘It seemed I came to visit a pious hermit… Russian icons, portraits of Russian Tsars, Russian books, and a Russian heart’ (journalist Nikolay Grech, 1839).

Being old and ill, in the middle of 1837 Smirnov parted his Church service. He died on the 16th (28) of April 1840 and was buried in London.

The 20th Century

The revolution of 1917 put not only church diplomacy, but the existence of Russian Orthodox Church itself under question. Only during the years of the Second World War when there was the warming in the fight against Church, it started to revive international relations. The head of the Church at that time was Patriarch Sergey, and then – Alexis the First. The starting point of the process is the year 1943, when the English Church delegation visited the Soviet Union. They were solidary with the Soviet people in their fight with the Third Reich. For the first time since Revolutionary times our Church had official foreign guests. [2, 56]

After the Second World War it was decided to provide some organized system for Church international activity. Thus in 1946 a special Synodal establishment was founded – it was called The Department of Church Foreign Intercourse, which is sometimes called the ministry of foreign affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate. The way it exists now it was formed by Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov). In 1960-1972 the main directions of work were deteremined: inter-Orthodox cooperation, inter-Christian relations, inter-religious and church-society dialogue.

For nearly twenty years the Department was headed by Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad Kirill. Today Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Ilarion is the head.

Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and All Saints in London 

Vatican can boast the oldest diplomatic service: the Holy See’s diplomatic activity counts 800 years. And if we talk of the 15 Local Orthodox Churches the most highly-organized system of the foreign intercourse belongs to the Russian one. Our Church has always interacted with the Ministry of foreign affairs. The first of Russian Orthodox parishes abroad were founded due to the Embassy of the Russian Empire.

Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and All Saints which is situated in London and which was visited by Patriarch Kirill on the 15th of October 2016, was built in 1848-49 as the Anglican Church of All Saints. It is located in Ennismore Gardens, Knightsbridge and belongs to Moscow Patriarchate.

Being reconstructed 43 years after being built, in 1891, the Cathedral’s Western facade closely copies the facade of the Basilica of St. Zeno in Verona, Italy. This was not intended by the architect, Lewis Vulliamy. Because of financial problems, Lombard style, which was proposed as alternative to the conventional Gothic style, was not incarnated. The parish was supposed to hold up to 5000 people.

As years went by, some additions to the architecture were made. For instance, in 1860, architect R. L. Roumieu completed the construction of the bell tower on the basis of the draft prepared by Vallyami. The bell tower height was 36.5 meters.

During the 20th centuries the parish was repeatedly merged with others. At last, in December of 1956 the building was consecrated as an Orthodox Church in honour of the Dormition of the Mother of God by Metropolitan Anthony, being preliminarily given to the Russian Orthodox parish. “The Church in Exile parish waited until 1959 before the Anglicans let them use one of their disused churches. Until then the services were celebrated in the chapel at the Parish house (which also served as Bishop’s residence) and in the Convent of the Annunciation.” [1, 73]

“In September 1964 Patriarch Alexis I, who was visiting Britain, presided at the service for the feast of the Exaltation of the Life-giving Cross”. [1, 74] Between 1965 and 1974 Metropolitan Anthony was Patriarchal Exarch for Western Europe. He often travelled to the Continent on Exarchate business. The first Orthodox monastic community in Britain, the Convent of the Annunciation, was established in London in 1954 under Church in Exile with the blessing of Holy Hierarch John (Maximovich). It was a new home for the nuns, who, together with their Abbess Elizabeth (Ampenov), fled the Gorny Convent near Jerusalem in 1948, on the eve of the first Middle East conflict.

Then, in 1979, it was purchased by the Sourozh diocese, without any funds being solicited or accepted from the Moscow Patriarchate.

Over time, up to the death of Metropolitan Anthony in 2003, the parish developed into a multinational one.

No matter the disputes over the accessory of the Cathedral to one or another Diocese, it remains with the adherents of the Moscow Patriarchate.

By the end of the 19th century Russian Orthodox Church had tens of ambassadorial churches, which were the real spiritual embassies of the Russian Empire. Currently out Church’s parishes function in more than 60 countries all around the world. The United Nations Organization in New York, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, European international organizations in Brussels and the World Council of Churches in Geneva have official representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Patriarch Kirill’s Visit to London

As I have already said, the relations between Russia and Britain have never been that easy.  “They are as bad as they have been since the darker days of the cold war”. [6] Political situation, though being tough, turned out not to prevent the “get-together of two nations’ most august institutions”.

On the 15th of October 2016 Patriarch Kirill arrived in London to service a liturgy in London’s Russian Dormition Cathedral.  Such important persons as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Prince Michael of Kent occupied prominent places. On this occasion, Patriarch Kirill also solemnly deconsecrated the cathedral. Some restoration works on the interior were made beforehand.

Another significant part of the trip was the conference with Supreme Governor of the Church of England – Queen Elizabeth.

No matter the spirituality of the event, many British politicians were prejudiced against Patriarch calling him one of the close political allies of President Vladimir Putin. The latter is considered to support the “murderous” Syrian regime. An opinion that the visit should be called a PR opportunity also exists.

Patriarch Kirill himself said that “spiritual ties were all the more important at a time when inter-state relations were strained” [6]:

    “There have been times when the relationship between our countries has been excellent. We have been together in combating a common enemy. But there have been times when this relationship has deteriorated and diplomatic relations have been broken off. Yet in London there has been a Russian Orthodox church for 300 years. And no ups and downs…have ever stopped people from coming together to pray to God or have ever prevented people seeing in their British brothers and sisters true brothers and sisters united by faith…”

There are actually some practical issues to discuss with the Queen and the Royal Family. The year of 2018 will mark the 100th anniversary of the killing of Tsar Nicholas, King George V’s cousin, and his family. The authenticity of Romanovs’ remains is still questionable for Britain. The prestige of the event will concern both the Queen and the Russian President.

There is a keen interest for the British Royal family in Russian convent on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Grand Duchess Elizabeth, a grand-daughter of Queen Victoria, (and actually my patron-saint, which rises my extra interest)

founded it. She was killed in 1918 in course of the Revolution. Britain will surely try to avoid any troubles which may arise “over a place with which they have such deep family ties”.

All in all, the importance of the event cannot be overvalued. No Russian Patriarch visited Great Britain for 300 years.

As Patriarch Kirill put it, “we are two nations…joined together by historical, religious and even monarchical ties.”

Patriarch Kirill’s Visit to Cuba

Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis met for the first time on Saturday in Havana, Cuba and the meeting concluded with the two men signing a joint declaration, the Interfax news agency reported.

After two hours of “open and fraternal talks,” Patriarch Kirill announced that the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church could now work together all over the world.

“We discussed quite a number of initiatives that we can work on together,” said Pope Francis, adding that he felt “the presence of the Holy Spirit” during the talks.

One of the main points of the declaration was the need to defend persecuted Christians [9, 13]

“We call on the world community to unite against violence and terrorism,” the document reads.

The church leaders also discussed the benefits of the European integration, but said that Europe needs to protect the rights of religious believers. They warned against “integration that does not respect religious identity.”

The declaration establishes the notion of the family that is shared by both churches — it describes marriage as a free act of love and fidelity between a man and a woman — and also confided the shared negative attitudes toward abortion and euthanasia.

“We are not rivals, but brothers,” the statement declares. “We urge Catholic and Orthodox believers of the world to learn to live in peace, love and harmony.

The spread of Islamic religion in non-Islamic countries continues at a high pace. Such countries as Great Britain, France, Germany and others have to bear the brunt of it. That is why the topic of helping the persecuted Christians all around the world was so significant at the meeting of Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis in Havana, Cuba. The main statement of the conversation was that people should unite against violence and terrorism. Such issues as family love were also discussed. Both the heads of Orthodox and Catholic churches claimed that they are not rivals, but brothers. The importance of the meeting cannot be undervalued.

Project

My schoolmates and I decided to turn the results I’ve had in my science work into practice.

That is why my schoolmate, Nadezhda Glazkova and I, wrote a letter to Father Iokim Par in order to ask him some questions concerning to Orthodox Christianity in the USA. We are still waiting for the answer.

Here is the text of the letter:

«Dear Father Iokim,

Bowing low to you, I, Nadezhda Glazkova, student of Gnilizkaya Orthodox Gymnasium, am writing to you.

Lately I had an opportunity to read your book “Talks about Russian Land”. I got really fond of it. I recommended it to my form-master who teaches the basics of Orthodox Christianity. That is why she gave me an idea to write an essay on your and your brother in Christ Father Seraphim Rose’s experience.

We love you with all our hearts and would like to thank you for being not indifferent to spiritual life of people, for considering every person, no matter his or her nationality, to be your brother or sister.

If people put God in their minds and hearts, there would be no wars or persecutions of Christian’s in the world.

I am really happy to know that during these hard times for Russia, the entire Christian world pray for our country: even such places as the faraway America, Holy Mount Athos and the others.

I am grateful to my compatriots for bringing us the light of Christian Faith, no matter all the difficulties.

There is a chapel on the territory of our Church devoted to Father Gregory Dolbunov, who served our God with all the eagerness.

Father Gregory not only helped many people to find God but also gave life to the whole dynasty of priests. His eleventh son, Father Nicolay, managed to restore the church in honor of Nativity of the Theotokos which was destroyed during the Soviet times. He also founded an Orthodox Gymnasium in Nizhny Novgorod.

Nowadays, there are 8 Orthodox gymnasiums, lots of churches are being built and restored.

But it is far more difficult to a build a soul church.

The situation with religion in our country is smoother, that is why we are becoming indifferent to the problems of other people.

But you helped us to get more active and watch ourselves from the other side. We ask ourselves the question: how can we help the others?

My classmates and I would like to renew the tradition of visiting hospitals and orphanages on Easter and Christmas days, which was initiated by the founder of our gymnasium.

You also helped us to feel the presence of Jesus Christ not only at the services, where we sing in the choir, but in our lives, to see the God’s Image in other people, to understand that the root of not loving the others is our pride.

Moreover, you let us broaden our idea of the borders of Orthodox Christianity.

Jesus Christ said: “Fear not, little flock!” Even though Orthodox Christianity is not numerous, now we don’t feel it to be so small.

I learn hard the English language. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll have an opportunity to visit the USA and to talk to you with no interpreter. More than that, I would like to read your books in original. Unfortunately, here in our seminary library we only have Father Seraphim Rose’s books. It would be really kind of you if you sent me some electronic version.

What is really interesting to me is how you help those who seek for it in the USA? How do you commit your missionary work in the USA? What is American people’s attitude to Russia, to Russian Orthodox Christians? What do you think about the relations between our countries?

And if you visit Nizhny Novgorod, we’ll invite you to visit our church in honor of  Nativity of the Theotokos and Gnilizkaya Orthodox Gymnasium in honor of  Saint Nicolas.

Seek for your holy prayers.

I would be really happy to receive an answer from you.

With love in Christ,

Servant of God Nadezhda

P.S. Please pray for my parents, Roman and Alla»

More than that, we made up a project of the organization «Students United Nations» according to the Program of Foreign Students Adaptation in Russia. Understanding that Russia’s reputation in the international sphere of education depends not only on the quality of given service but also on the attitude of people around to the foreigners, we decided to make up regular meetings with foreign students from the University of Lobachevsky. The director of our gymnasium and dean of the Faculty signed a cooperation agreement. I took part in the process of providing the plan of the event, the courser of the interview and acted as an interpreter during the meeting with foreign students.

Plan of the event:

1)        Greetings (at the entrance): Anastasia Vasilyeva, Elizabeth Fomina

2)        Church excursion:     Tatyana Lyvutina – the history of the church,

                                            Angelina Korsakova – the icon of St.Nicolas

                                            Maxim Sharapov – newly martyrs

                                            Nikita Martynov - the icon with relics of 5 saints

                                  (30 min)

3)        Excursion around the gymnasium: Nadezhda Glazkova (the icons, the English classroom, the computer classroom, assembly hall) (20 min)

4)        Assembly hall: Taissa Dolbunova (a few words about the founder of the gymnasium) (10 min)

5)        Music Concert (20 min):

•        Anastasia Dolbunova, Angelina Pokrovskaya, Alexandra  Pokrovskaya «Silent Night»

«Because of You»

«Coming Home for Christmas»

•        8th form students: «Everything’s at Once»

•        Elizabeth Fomina: «Good Life»

•        Angelina Pokrovskaya «В храме»

6)        Tea Party: the technology classroom (Tabunova A. V, the students of the 6th form, Glazkova, Fomina, Vasilyeva, Sharapov) (30 min)

7)         A story about Maslenitsa: Shrove Tide (Fomina) (during the party)

8)        Maslenitsa Games and Dances (Tabunova A. V.) (15 min)

9)        A small interview on the Christian Themes (Fomina) (15 min)

In the course of the project I got acquainted with two girls from England, Lizzy and Daisy, and one from the USA, Emma.

Emma was the most interesting person to me among the three as she was religious. Her father is a pastor in Albuquerque, New Mexico, their native town. They actually try not to give themselves any definitions but mostly are called Baptists.

Another important fact is that my stereotype that Orthodox Christianity is not popular abroad was split. It turned out that it is quite heard-of; however, it is really wide-spread only in New York and Los-Angeles.

As for other parts of the survey, I got to know that Emma is a conservative republican and she voted for Trump. Most of her friends in Albuquerque are liberals and were for Hillary. One of the reasons why Emma didn’t choose her, as she said, was the fact that Clinton was vocal of how much against Russia she was.

Emma chose studying the Russian language as she is planning to get into the field of international relationships with Russia and diplomacy.

The girls from Great Britain named the Russian literature as the reason to start learning the Russian language.

Our conversation was rather informal and I found out that Lizzy is a keen runner. She spent some time in France and I guess that was the reason of her a bit not British accent.

The conclusion to this project is that any boundaries can be crossed. I found the very facts I’ve been looking for and had a great experience of having a constructive conversation with English-speaking foreigners.

Conclusion

Having analyzed the current and historical aspects of Russian international relationships, I’ve made several important statements:

•        Orthodox Christianity is a continuously spreading confession, which of course cannot be but joyous for me and all Orthodox Christians;

•        Patriarch Kirill is a significant person who will possibly help to better the relationships between Russia and the West;

•        Russian Orthodox Church has a profound background of prosperous work in Great Britain in the key of getting closer to it in a diplomatic and spiritual way. The project I’ve made turned out to be an outstanding example of how to share traditions with people from other countries and to see the cultural differences between us.

We consider church diplomacy to be the mission to strengthen the all-Orthodox unity, to strengthen the relations between us and Christian and others communities. We also see it as the proof to the society of God’s Truth, of moral law, which is based on the Holy Bible and other books. In this a way, the first diplomats are the apostils, who preached to the people around of God. Cyril and Methodius were great educators, spoke of respect to different cultures, of the dialogue. They had the principle of preaching the Truth in love but not by sword. This is the very method church diplomacy is based on.

Many European leaders had ignored the Christian religion in their Constitutions. Church diplomacy is the way to stop moral degradation and aggressive secularization all around the world. Christian values are part of our everyday life, they are universal. That is why the main idea of my work is that the real church diplomat is the person who by his own examples shows people around him what a true Christian is. To express the actual questions of modern society through the prism of religious faith – it is the very church diplomacy.

All in all, church diplomacy turned out to be not only a mean of international policy, but also the mean of dialogue between Church, State and Society.

Bibliography

1. Michael Sarni, The Russian Church in London: From Peter the Great to the Present Day. – Арефа, 2006-2012.
2. Jerome Horsey, Extracts out of Sir J H's Observations in seventeene yeares travels and experience in Russia. – 1991.
3. Журнал «Международная жизнь». – май 2013.
4. Православие и современность. - 5 октября 2015.
5. Журнал «Дипломат». – сентябрь 2008.
6. http://www.sourozh.org/diocesan-administration/
7. http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2016/10/patriarch-kirill-visits-london
8. http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/february/why-pope-francis-patriarch-kirill-cuba-catholic-orthodox.html
9. https://www.rt.com/news/362966-russian-patriarch-uk-service/
10. http://rus.rusemb.org.uk/smirnov/
11. http://www.pravmir.ru/sergey-lavrov-nazval-tserkov-nravstvennoy-oporoy-rossiyan-v-epohu-ispyitaniy/