28 December 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta called on his Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan and Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, on December 22 at the Danilov Monastery, in Moscow.

Ambassador Sorreta and His Eminence Hilarion discussed the nascent Russian Orthodox community in the Philippines that traces its roots to the White Russians who took refuge in Tubabao, Samar from 1949 to 1951. Ambassador Sorreta stated that the presence of the Russian Orthodox Church in the country could distribute in deepening mutual awareness and understanding between Filipinos and Russians, which is an important condition for closer and more vibrant cooperation between the Philippines and Russia, especially in such areas as tourism and trade.

His Eminence Hilarion stated that they are open to pursuing cooperative activities with the Embassy. END