KAZAN (Realist English). Patriarch Kirill of Moscow spoke on May 19 at a meeting of the strategic vision group “Russia — the Islamic World”, which was held at the Kazan Economic Forum.
Addressing Muslims, the Patriarch stressed that “our fundamental values are very similar … Orthodox, like Muslims, strive to do as God commands.” In his opinion, the main common value is the traditional family.
Patriarch Kirill considers the challenge of the godless secular world to the traditional system of values to be the main challenge of the XXI century:
“I have said more than once and I will say it again: the main challenge of the XXI century is the challenge from the godless secular world. But today we, Christians and Muslims, starting from our religious beliefs, can together resist this tragic trend in the development of the civilization, which displaces God from human life and imposes a different worldview where there is no God, just as they tried to do during the Renaissance.
To resist this challenge, we need the consolidation of all the traditionally minded forces of the society. If we do not want the victory of evil and the establishment of a worldwide cult of sin and selfishness, we must give a spiritual rebuff to this challenge. It is joint efforts that can stop the world from self-destruction, and let me say that it is the interaction of Orthodox Christianity with Islam that can really ensure the creation of this common front of the struggle for the survival of the human civilization.”
Concluding his speech, Patriarch Kirill expressed hope that Russia and the Islamic world will develop and expand their cooperation.
