His Beatitude Patriarch John X Welcoming the Chairman of the Department of Foreign Relations in the Russian Church the Most Reverend Metropolitan Anthony
"We emphasize the depth of the relationship between our churches and work together to confront all challenges"
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Damascus, Syria, January 29, 2024
His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, 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 Metropolitan Anthony conveyed the love and greetings of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to His Beatitude Patriarch John X and to the Antiochian Church. His Beatitude Patriarch John X tasked His Eminence 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. His Beatitude Patriarch John X 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.
