ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Exarchate of Parishes of Russian
Tradition in Western Europe

Conference of the Episcopal Vicariate, May 2007

Greeting from Archbishop Gabriel of Comana, opening the Saturday morning session

I was surprised this morning to be given a piece of paper saying that I had fifty minutes in which to give my greeting – in fact I intend to spend about five!

Thank you for your invitation and for all that you have done for the Church. I would like to repeat what I said yesterday evening after the prayers: we must learn to work together, and we have many possibilities and opportunities – but we all have our own characters, if you understand me. Everyone thinks I am a very good character, but it is not true, I can assure you.

I understand very well that the last year was not easy for you all, nor was it for us in France, and I want to thank you very much for all that you have done to help your bishop.

As you know, I live in Paris. Some of your communities and parishes have invited me to come and see them. But it is impossible to come very often. We have a hundred and twenty-five communities, and only two bishops, so you must understand I cannot visit you very frequently in the United Kingdom. But you have your own bishop – Bishop Basil – be happy! We will consecrate a third bishop, I hope, in September: Fr Johannes Johansen, who will be responsible for northern Europe, for the Scandinavian countries.

And I want to ask the priests and deacons a favour. Please send me a picture of yourselves, with your name, because I do not know you all. So this is to help me to know you better. Thank you very much,

I can only say I am happy to be here. Pray for us as we do for you. Let us work together and if there are difficulties let us be wise and work with dignity. The most important thing is that we are Christians of the Orthodox tradition, and that has to be the most important thing in our lives. In Paris I have asked a young man called James to teach me better English. I am not a good student, but I will try.

It is good to be here with you today.
Thank you.

Reply by Bishop Basil of Amphipolis
Thank you very much Archbishop Gabriel. To have you here makes a great difference to us. It is a source of great encouragement, and indeed inspiration, for us to have you here, and that you visit us as often as you can.