Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem arrived in Moscow on an official visit

On Wednesday, November 4, 2026, His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived in Moscow on an official visit. The visit by the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem is taking place at the personal invitation of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, according to the Orthodoxia News Agency.

A ceremonial welcome for the distinguished guest took place at Vnukovo-3 Airport. The delegation that welcomed the Primate of the Church of Jerusalem included representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church: Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR); Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, advisor to the Patriarch of Moscow; and Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, deputy chairman of the DECR.

In addition, Hegumen Theophan, head of the Protocol Service, and several other DECR staff members, including Priest Alexander Ershov and Secretary Nikolai Vasin, were present at the airport. It is expected that during the visit, the parties will discuss current issues of interchurch cooperation and the strengthening of bilateral relations.

As a reminder, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem had previously announced his intention to act as a mediator to end the conflict in Ukraine. The Primate stated that he plans to hold talks with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to help overcome the ecclesiastical schism and stop the bloodshed.