Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III arrived in Moscow and visited the Pokrovsky Convent

Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III visited the Pokrovsky Convent in Moscow on November 5, accompanied by Metropolitan Antony and Archpriest Nikolai Balashov. The visit, at the invitation of Patriarch Kirill, will last until November 6; it was previously reported that the primate intended to meet with Putin and Zelensky to help settle the conflict.

Otabek YusupovFirst published on tafs uz 5 November 2026 at 17:552 min read

The key facts

Theophilos III arrived in Moscow on November 4 at the invitation of Patriarch Kirill; the visit will last until November 6
At the convent, the patriarch was accompanied by Metropolitan Antony of Volokolamsk and Archpriest Nikolai Balashov
It was previously reported that Theophilos III planned meetings with Putin and Zelensky; Peskov promised to announce if the meeting with Putin takes place

Visit of the head of the Church of Jerusalem to Moscow

Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III visited the Pokrovsky Convent in Moscow on November 5. He was accompanied to the convent by Metropolitan Antony of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, an adviser to Patriarch Kirill. This was reported by Life.ru.

Program and context of the visit

Theophilos III arrived in Moscow on November 4 at the invitation of Patriarch Kirill. According to the Russian Orthodox Church, the visit program includes a meeting between the two primates; the visit will last until November 6. The Pokrovsky Monastery on Taganka was founded in 1635, and since 1998 the relics of Matrona of Moscow have been kept in the convent's Pokrovsky church.

Stated goals: meetings with Putin and Zelensky

Earlier, the same outlet reported on Theophilos III's intention to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and separately with Volodymyr Zelensky to help settle the Ukrainian conflict: the clergyman hoped to help the parties establish a dialogue. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov promised at the time to announce if the meeting with Putin takes place. The November 5 publication does not say whether such a meeting took place during the current visit.