08 April 2016 – As part of Philippine efforts to promote greater interfaith dialogue, Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation Carlos D. Sorreta joined other diplomats, Russian executive and legislative officials, top business people, scholars and religious leaders at the 16th Annual National Prayer Breakfast. The event was held on March 15 at the President Hotel in Moscow.
“Prayer remains a powerful force for peace and understanding, particularly between those from different faiths,” according to Ambassador Sorreta. “Our presence at the National Prayer Breakfast is in support of the power of prayer and interfaith dialogue,” he added.
Among the speakers at the event was Mr. Jaroslav Nilov, a member of the State Duma and Chair of its Committee for Public Associations and Religious Organizations. In his remarks, Mr. Nilov recalled the days of the Soviet Union when it was difficult to practice one’s religion. He called on those present to work together to avoid such a situation from arising anywhere in the world.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Peter Sautov, Chairman of the National Morning Prayer Foundation, said that he wanted to emphasize that prayer requires patience, persistence and perseverance. During the time of the Soviet Union, Mr. Sautov joined an underground Baptist Church. For this, he was arrested twice and was fired from his job as an engineer.
The Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Moscow, according to its organizers, is a platform, where people demonstrate amicable spirit, mutual respect and ethno-religious tolerance. It promotes unity of the Russian people, consolidates Russian society around a unified system of moral values shared by all people, and makes a significant contribution towards solving many pressing problems of a multi-national and multi-confessional Russian nation. END
