Department for External Church Relations
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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill expressed sympathy and full support to the Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Church
DECR Communication service, 12.12.2024.
On December 12, 2024, a meeting took place between His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' and Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, the representative of the Antiochian Patriarch at the Moscow Patriarchal See, at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
The meeting was also attended by the advisor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Archpriest Nikolai Balashov.
Addressing Metropolitan Niphon, His Holiness expressed sympathy to the entire Antiochian Orthodox Church which is currently in very difficult circumstances. "We receive information about the sorrows that many are experiencing now," he said. Mentioning the courage and spiritual heroism of the Orthodox residents of Syria and the history of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill expressed hope that its future is not associated with weakening or suffering severe harm, but "with further glorious service for the benefit of the people."
His Holiness expressed support to all who are suffering at this moment, who are concerned for their homeland, its safety, and its freedom. "And I very much hope that no external forces will use the difficult situation your people and your Church are in to weaken it and the Syrian state. May God help all those who are going through hard times today," added His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.
He assured Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis that the Antiochian Patriarchate will always have a friend in the Russian Orthodox Church, which sincerely empathizes in difficult times and, as in the past and present, is ready to help to the best of its ability.
"May God's blessing remain over the people of Syria, may peace and justice triumph as soon as possible on this ancient land," said the First Hierarch of the Russian Church.
The Patriarch asked to convey his personal sympathy and full support to His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Great Antioch and All the East .
In turn, the representative of the Antiochian Patriarch at the Moscow Patriarchate thanked His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: "Thank you for sharing our sorrow with us. Your Holiness, our Church has always felt brotherly relations and support from you, and we are very grateful for this. It can be said that His Beatitude Patriarch John is spiritually present with us today. And I am sure that he shares these thoughts and thanks you."
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