Metropolitan Tikhon discusses persecution of Christians with Billy Graham Association representative
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon welcomed the Rev. Viktor Hamm, Executive Assistant of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, at the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America on Thursday, November 10, 2016.
During the course of the meeting, the Rev. Hamm extended an invitation to Metropolitan Tikhon to attend and address the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians, slated to convene in Washington, DC May 11-13, 2017. The Summit will bring together hundreds of Orthodox Christian, Evangelical and Catholic leaders and advocates and victims of persecution from around the world to address the growing legal, social and political problems associated with the persecution of Christians in today’s world. His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion [Alfeyev] of Volokolamsk, who chairs the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, will be among those addressing the Summit’s plenary session.
The Rev. Hamm explained that the Summit’s goals including raising global awareness of the ongoing persecution of Christians; demonstrating solidarity with all who are suffering because of their faith in Jesus Christ; exploring ways of reducing the discrimination, marginalization, harm and death perpetrated against Christians; communicating a Biblical understanding of Christian living in a hostile world; and celebrating faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Discussions focused on raising awareness of the suffering of Christians, particularly in the Middle East and other challenging regions, and mutual cooperation in addressing this and related areas of concern.
Also participating in the meeting were Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor; Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Secretary; and Protopresbyter Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of External Affairs.