First Contacts between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church in the Early 1960s

Abstract

This article examines the first contacts between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church in the early 1960s. Special attention is given to Archbishop Nikodim (Rotov), Head of the Department for External Church Relations, whose diplomatic restraint and careful consideration of the political and ideological context contributed to the establishment of initial trust-based contacts with representatives of the Roman Church. The study analyzes key events of the early stage of dialogue, including initial meetings and exchanges of information, discussions concerning the forthcoming Second Vatican Council, the visit of Monsignor Johannes Willebrands to the USSR, and the preparatory steps that led to the dispatch of Moscow Patriarchate observers to the opening and first session of the Council. It is demonstrated that even under conditions of strict political constraints and ideological pressure, a limited yet purposeful interchurch dialogue was possible, enabling the Russian Orthodox Church to maintain international contacts and avoid isolation. The article concludes that these early and short-term interactions laid the groundwork for the subsequent development of Orthodox–Catholic relations and for the Russian Orthodox Church’s participation in international church life.