Patriarch John X welcoming the Chairman of the…

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2024-01-29

 

His Beatitude Patriarch John X received the Most Reverend Metropolitan Anthony, Chairman of the Department of Foreign Relations at the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia, at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Damascus. The meeting was attended by the Russian Ambassador to Damascus, His Excellency Alexander Yefimov, Archpriest Nicolay Balashov, the Rt.Rev. Archimandrite Philip Vasiliev, representing the Russian Patriarch to the Antiochian Patriarch, Father Igor Yakimchuk, and Father Alexander Yershov. On the Antiochian side, Their Graces bishops Romanos (Al-Hannat), Moussa (Al-Khoury), Ioannis Batach, and Dr. Hassan Risha attended. His Eminence Anthony conveyed the love and greetings of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to His Beatitude and to the Antiochian Church. His Beatitude Patriarch John tasked Metropolitan Anthony with conveying the love and prayers of the children of the Antiochian Church to the Russian Church, led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. He praised the role played by the Russian Church in standing by the Antiochian Church, extending a helping hand to consolidate Christian presence in the Middle East and standing by humanity of all backgrounds despite the harsh conditions, war, destruction, and displacement. The meeting reviewed the current situation in the Middle East and highlighted the historical relations between the two churches and the pivotal role of these relations in facing all challenges. Both sides emphasized the depth and strength of these historical relations and the need to work to enhance them in every possible way. The meeting also addressed global ecclesiastical developments facing the Church on Christian and Orthodox levels, as well as the moral challenges affecting and undermining the foundations of the Christian family and the disintegration of societies.