Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church takes part in meeting with the Maronite Patriarch

DECR Communication Service, 23.09.2026.

On September 22, at the invitation of Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, Representative of the Antiochian Orthodox Church to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi of the Maronite Church visited the Church of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” in the Lebanese city of Zahle.

The church was built by Metropolitan Niphon with the support of the Russian Orthodox Church and consecrated on May 18, 2026, by a council of hierarchs of the Russian and Antiochian Orthodox Churches, with the participation of Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

According to the website of the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus, the Maronite Patriarch was welcomed at the church by Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, Metropolitan Anthony of Zahle and Baalbek, as well as representatives of the local regional and municipal authorities.

Metropolitan Niphon told the head of the Maronite Church about the work undertaken to construct the church and about its holy sites.

Metropolitan Niphon then invited the Maronite Patriarch and honored guests to a fraternal meal.

The meeting was also attended by Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), Representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ to the Patriarchal See of Antioch.

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Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church takes part in meeting with the Maronite Patriarch

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons