Delegation of Russian Orthodox Church arrives in Lebanon

DECR Communication Service, 28/09/2026

On 25^th September 2026, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and at the invitation of Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Alexy of Chelyabinsk and Miass arrived in Lebanon.

The delegation included clerics of the Chelyabinsk and Miass Metropolia and members of the “Axios” Choir.

Upon their arrival, the guests visited the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Lebanon and had a lengthy meeting with Russia’s Ambassador, Mr Alexander Rudakov. The delegation members were accompanied by Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis and Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Patriarchal Throne of Antioch.

On the following day, the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church was received by Metropolitan Elias of Beirut in his residence in Achrafieh, an Orthodox Christian district of Beirut. Metropolitan Elias shared with the guests his recollections of the years of his studies at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York and his views on the present-day situation in the country. Taking part in the meeting was also Russian Ambassador Alexander Rudakov.

On 27^th September, Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, Matins and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated at the Church of the “Unexpected Joy” Icon of the Mother of God in the city of Zahlé. Officiating at the Liturgy were Metropolitan Antonios of Zahlé and Baalbek, Metropolitan Alexy of Chelyabinsk and Miass and Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis. Among their concelebrants were Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), as well as clerics of the Archdiocese of Zahlé and Baalbek of the Orthodox Church of Antioch and of the Chelyabinsk and Miass Metropolia of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Liturgy was celebrated in the Arabic and Church Slavonic languages, reports the website of the Representation of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ to the Patriarch of the Great Antioch and All the East.

Among those in attendance were Minister of National Defense of Lebanon Michel Menassa, Member of the Lebanese Parliament Elias Stephan, former Lebanese Ambassador to Russia Shawki Bou Nassar, former Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Wael Haсhem, former Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Elie Ferzli, and former Minister of State for Combating Corruption Nicolas Tueni.

After the Dismissal, Metropolitan Antonios of Zahlé and Baalbek warmly greeted Metropolitan Alexy, the clergy of the Chelyabinsk and Miass Metropolia and other guests. His Eminence emphasized in his homily that the Divine Liturgy celebrated that day had become a visible symbol of the unity of the Orthodox Church.

Later that day, the “Axios” Choir of the Chelyabinsk and Miass Metropolia gave a concert at the Municipal Palace of Zahlé, performing church hymns and secular compositions.

Among those who attended the concert were Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, Metropolitan Antonios of Zahlé and Baalbek, Metropolitan Silouan of Mount Lebanon, Metropolitan Alexy of Chelyabinsk and Miass, Russian Ambassador Alexander Rudakov, Mayor of Zahlé Salim Ghazali, as well as parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Metochion in Lebanon.

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Delegation of Russian Orthodox Church arrives in Lebanon

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