Moscow, Russia – His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion last Sunday presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow, concelebrating with His Grace Bishop Stephanos, His Grace Bishop Marc, and His Grace Bishop Kyrillos.
The liturgy was attended by representatives of the Commission for Bilateral Dialogue between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, members of the Coptic monastic delegation, and faithful from the Coptic Orthodox congregation in Russia.
HE Metropolitan Serapion is in Moscow to participate in the Sixth Session of the Commission for Bilateral Dialogue, which follows the conclusion of the monastic delegation’s visit, led by HG Bishop Stephanos and HG Bishop Marcos.
St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, where the liturgy was celebrated, was presented as a gift by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, during the Fourth Meeting of the Commission in September 2022.
Monday: With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, and His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the VI Plenary Session of the Bilateral Commission for Dialogue was held in Moscow from September 7–9, 2025. This jubilee session marked the 10th anniversary of the Commission’s establishment.
The Russian delegation was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Isidor of Smolensk and Dorogobuzh, recently appointed Co-Chairman of the Commission, while the Coptic Orthodox delegation was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, Bishop of Los Angeles and Metropolitan of Southern California and Hawaii, and Co-Chairman.
On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, received the members of the Bilateral Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church and commended them for their work during the past 10 years. HH Patriarch Kirill delivered a letter to HH Pope Tawadros II, in which HH presented a church building in St Petersburg to the Coptic Orthodox Church. HE Metropolitan Serapion presented a letter from HH Pope Tawadros II to HH Patriarch Kirill, and thanked HH for the church of St Mark the Apostle gifted to the Coptic Orthodox Church in Moscow. The Coptic Orthodox Church expressed the desire for the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church and conveyed prayerful support for the victims of the war. HH Patriarch Kirill then bestowed awards on the members of the Commission, along with his apostolic blessing.
