Metropolitan Feodor of Volgograd and Kamyshin begins his visit to Lebanon

DECR Communication Service, 05/10/2025

On 2^nd October 2025, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and at the invitation of Metropolitan Nifon of Philippopolis, Representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Moscow Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Feodor of Volgograd and Kamyshin arrived in Lebanon.

On 3^rd October, as part of his visit, Metropolitan Feodor met with Mr Alexander Rudakov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Lebanon. Taking part in the meeting, which took place at the Ambassador’s residence in Beirut, were Metropolitan Nifon of Philippopolis and Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), Representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ to the Patriarch of the Great Antioch and All the East, reports the website of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Representation.

Later that day, His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East received the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church in his official residence in Balamand. Among those present were also Metropolitan Nifon of Philippopolis, Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), Ambassador Alexander Rudakov and Minister Counsellor of the Embassy Maxim Romanov.

During the meeting, His Beatitude Patriarch John expressed concern over the discrimination against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and mentioned the situation in the Middle East, saying that there is still a dangerous situation in both Syria and Lebanon, and the local citizens do not feel safe. His Beatitude also pointed out that the current developments in Gaza, Palestine, cause sorrow and deep concern. “We pray for all Christians of the East and that the Lord may preserve Christian presence in the region, which is of great importance,” Patriarch John added.

Metropolitan Feodor of Volgograd and Kamyshin noted in his turn that the Orthodox Church of Antioch and the Russian Orthodox Church have centuries-old fraternal relations that continue to grow stronger. He added, “We are concerned over the current developments in Syria and Lebanon and pray for the soonest cessation of the hostilities.”

Metropolitan Feodor conveyed to His Beatitude Patriarch John brotherly greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and presented to him a restoration project for the destroyed Syrian church, in which the Russian Orthodox Church is willing to take part.

“In these trying times, people live in fear and worry. Despite all this, we hope that with God’s help and with the love of the Russian Church, our Christian people will withstand and continue to bear witness to Christian values in Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. We all pray for peace,” the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Antioch said.

After that, the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church met with the Patriarch of the Maronite Church, Mar Béchara Boutros Cardinal Raï. As His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Béchara Boutros said, greeting the guests, the Maronite and the Russian Churches have remarkable relations. He shared his warmest recollections of his visit to Russia and his meeting with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

On 3^rd October 2025, a cenotaph to Russian sailors was unveiled in Beirut. The memorial service for the fallen soldiers was celebrated by Metropolitan Feodor of Volgograd and Kamyshin in concelebration with Metropolitan Nifon of Philippopolis and Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev).

The day before, restoration works had been completed for a monument to Baron Gotthard Bistram, midshipman of the frigate Oleg, and a memorial plaque had been installed, commemorating the Russian sailors buried in Beirut in 1860 and 1861.

Greeting all those present, Russian Ambassador Alexander Rudakov said, “We have gathered to commemorate the Russian sailors who laid down their lives off the Lebanese coast while performing their duty in protecting the local Christian community. The monument we are opening today is a symbol of our eternal gratitude. It embodies bravery, fortitude and loyalty of the people fulfilling their duty.”

Representatives of the Russian community in Beirut expressed hope that it would be an annual tradition to lay wreaths at the monument on the Day of the Russian Navy.

Later that day, the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church met with Metropolitan Elias of Beirut in his official residence in Achrafieh, Orthodox Christian neighbourhood in Beirut. Metropolitan Elias warmly greeted the guests, sharing with them his reminiscences of the years of his studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in New York and his professors – Protopresbyters John Meyendorff and Alexander Schmemann.

Taking part in the meeting were also Metropolitan Nifon of Philippopolis, Russian Ambassador Alexander Rudakov and Minister Counsellor of the Embassy Maxim Romanov.