In a significant step toward deepening inter-Orthodox collaboration, a delegation from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church arrived in Russia with the blessings of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan.

The delegation’s visit aims to foster cooperation between the Malankara Church’s educational institutions and the Moscow Theological Academy, particularly in the fields of church singing and iconography—two vital aspects of Orthodox spiritual and artistic tradition.

The Indian delegation is led by Metropolitan Zacharias Aprem of the Adoor–Kadampanad Diocese, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Mathew Koshy and Rev. Fr. Anoop Raju. They are joined during their visit by Hieromonk Peter (Akhmatkhanov) from the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, underscoring the formal and fraternal nature of the mission.

The visit commenced at the Holy Trinity–St. Sergius Lavra and the Moscow Theological Academy, two of the most revered centers of Russian Orthodoxy. On March 3, 2024, the delegation participated in the Divine Liturgy, where they were warmly welcomed by Bishop Kirill of Sergiyev Posad and Dmitrov.

In his address, Bishop Kirill emphasized the longstanding ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, highlighting decades of theological dialogue, mutual visits, and shared witness to the Orthodox faith.

The visit symbolizes a renewed commitment to ecclesiastical collaboration, theological exchange, and the mutual enrichment of liturgical arts—strengthening the bonds between two ancient Orthodox traditions separated by geography but united in faith.