Department for External Church Relations
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Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church takes part in divine service in Bloudan, Syria
DECR Communication service, 10.08.2022.
On August 7, the 8th Sunday after Pentecost and the commemoration day of the Dormition of the Righteous Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), representative of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the Patriarchal See of Antioch, took part in the Divine Liturgy with the blessing of His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.
The Liturgy was celebrated at the St. George church in Bloudan, Syria, by Bishop Moses of Larissa, a vicar of His Beatitude Patriarch John X. Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev) and Archpriest Simeon Ayuba, rector of the church, concelebrated.
Attending the service were parishioners of the church of St. Ignatius the God-Bearer at the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus.
Prayers were said in the Arabic and Church Slavonic languages, website of the Representation reports.
Sermon on the Gospel reading was delivered by Bishop Moses. He introduced Archimandrite Philip to the parishioners as a new representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Antioch.
The service was followed by a tea party at the parish hall of St. George church. Archimandrite Philip told those gathered about the history of the Russian Orthodox Church and its ministry at present. He asked Bishop Moses of Larissa to convey his heartfelt gratitude to His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East for his blessing to concelebrate.
That same day, Bishop Moses, Archimandrite Philip, Archpriest Simeon and parishioners from the Representation visited the Prophet Jonah’s hill with the remains of the ancient monastery and the chapel under construction.
Afterwards, they visited the city of Zabadani and the church of the Dormition of the Theotokos. After the end of hostilities, the Russian Orthodox Church has been taking part in its restoration on agreement with His Beatitude Patriarch John X.
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