seemed the Russian equivalent of the cheesy carol arrangements by John Rutter". Other critics, however, are more favorable to Alfeyev's music, noting that "while they’re not on the level of Johann Sebastian Bach, the compositions are sophisticated, and they’re easy on the ear." Some go even further by stating that "the music of composer Hilarion (Alfeyev) is bright, powerful and rigorous, but at the same time it is distinguished by the subtlest lyricism... His compositions penetrate a human soul; they are clear and accessible to everyone." It has also been repeatedly argued that Alfeyev is "one of the most widely performed of all living Russian composers". His music has been performed at concerts more than 300 times in 15 years, in Russia and abroad. Ecumenical activity Alfeyev was a member of the Executive and Central Cwitommittees of the World Council of Churches, of the Presidium of 'Faith and Order' Commission, as well as of numerous bilateral theological dialogues. In 1998 he headed the 5-member Moscow Patriarchate delegation to the 8th WCC Assembly in Harare, and in February 2006 headed the Moscow Patriarchate's 21-member delegation to the 9th Assembly in Porto Alegre. Alfeyev was a member of the Joint International Commissions for the Theological Dialogue between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion, and between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. He is also interested in interfaith dialogue among all major world religions, and currently sits on the Board of World Religious Leaders for the Elijah Interfaith Institute. On 10 October 2007, Alfeyev walked out of an important meeting of the Orthodox-Catholic International Theological Commission at Ravenna, in protest against the choice of delegates by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. His action was approved by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. On 5 October 2008, Alfeyev took part in the "Bible marathon" organized by the Italian state TV channel RAI-Uno. He read Chapter Two from the Book of Genesis, immediately following Pope Benedict XVI, who read Chapter One. Alfeyev was followed by 1246 readers from various countries. In September 2009, at the invitation of Cardinal Walter Kasper, he visited Pope Benedict XVI and several officials of the Roman Curia who have key roles in Catholic ecumenical dialogue. Late in 2010, Alfeyev spoke to senior Anglican bishops and professors at the Nikean Club dinner at Lambeth Palace,