Archbishop Leonid of Vladikavkaz and Alania meets with Parliament of Lebanon deputy speaker

On July 8, 2021, Archbishop Leonid of Vladikavkaz and Alania, deputy head of the Department for External Church Relations, who is on a visit to Lebanon with a blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, was received by the deputy speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Chamber of Deputies, Mr Elie Ferzli.

Welcoming the guest in the parliament building, Mr. Ferzli noted in particular, ‘We have expected your visit to state that the Orthodox Christians in Lebanon need as never before Russia’s support and effective role. Earlier the faithful in Lebanon were closely tied with the faithful Russian people and put trust in the support of great Russia’. Stating that Russia is engaged in peacemaking work throughout the world and plays a stabilizing role, the deputy speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon underlined, ‘The time has come for her to pay attention to the situation of the Orthodox in Lebanon, because there are forces who seek to force Eastern Christians to leave their sacred lands and re-settle over the ocean. We cannot allow the realization of these plans and that is why Christians look to Russia with hope and great trust’.

In conclusion of the meeting, the sides exchanged tokens of the meeting. In particular, Archbishop Leonid presented Mr. Ferzli with an icon of the Most Holy Trinity.

At the press conference held for the Lebanese mass media, Archbishop Leonid said, ‘We have many brothers and sisters who need help. Using this opportunity, I would like to express condolences to the families of victims of the terrible tragedy that fell upon the country last August’.

According to His Eminence, the Russian Orthodox Church ‘is aware of the problems facing Christians in the Middle East and North Africa and will take part in their solution. The social and humanitarian work is the principle one in our work. We see as our task to make the life of people in this region and specifically in such a beautiful country as Lebanon more easy and safe’, he emphasized, ‘I wish the Lebanese people good health, peace and prosperity’.

Participating in the meeting with Mr. Ferzli were also Russian Federation’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Lebanon A. Rudakov; rector of the Beirut Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev); and warden of the Beirut Representation Mr. D. Zelenin.

DECR Communication Service
with reerence to the website of the Beirut Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church

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Archbishop Leonid of Vladikavkaz and Alania meets with Parliament of Lebanon deputy speaker

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Patriarch

Department Chairman

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