Message from Cardinal Koch for the unveiling of a bust dedicated to Father Men

14 Oct 2026

On 11 October 2026, at Villa Ambiveri in Seriate (Bergamo), the headquarters of the Russia Cristiana Foundation, a ceremony was held for the unveiling of a bust dedicated to Father Aleksandr Men (1935-1990), a Russian Orthodox priest and a significant witness to the Christian faith during the Soviet era, distinguished for his commitment to evangelisation and to dialogue between the Churches.

On the occasion of the event, Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, sent a message of greeting [IT], which was presented by the Reverend Jaromír Zádrapa, Official of the Dicastery's Eastern Section.

The bust, created by a Ukrainian artist and donated by Father Men’s children, Mikhail and Elena, also commemorates the profound bond of friendship between the Orthodox priest and Father Romano Scalfi, founder of Russia Cristiana.