Home page News
Statement of the Interreligious Council in Ru…

Statement of the Interreligious Council in Russia on protection of religious holy places in the Middle East

The Statement was adopted at the ICR meeting that took place on November 25, 2019, at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies.

We, members of the Interreligious Council in Russia, are deeply concerned over the safety of religious places and architectural monuments in the Middle East. This old region is the cradle of the three Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is impossible to look with indifference at the condition in which unique religious monuments – churches, mosques, monasteries and synagogues are staying there.

Continued armed conflicts and attacks by terrorists have put many religious communities on the brink of survival. The destruction and defilement of places of veneration and common prayer have forced many to leave the region, disrupted the ages-long ties with ancestors and blurred cultural identities. We cannot let the unique religious map of the Middle East lose its diversity.

The states involved in the political and military processes in the Middle East should make as their priority the restoration of the full-fledged religious presence and creation of a favourable social atmosphere, rather than achievement of self-interested aims.

Therefore, we, leaders of the traditional religions in Russia, call upon the world community and responsible international organizations to protect and preserve the cultural and religious legacy of the Middle East. We call upon political leaders to make well-considered and wise decisions. We call all people of good will to join the process of the restoration of holy places in Syria, Iraq and other countries of the region.

We note with satisfaction the work of the International Working Group for humanitarian aid to people in Syria, which functions under the Russian President’s Council for Cooperation with Religious Associations.

We hope that the mighty of this world will show the will to preserve holy places in the Middle East so dear to the hearts of the faithful of the largest religions throughout the world.

Share:
Congratulations of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the President of Turkey on his 70th birthday

26.02.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill's condolences in connection with the murder of the monks of the Ziquala Abo Monastery in Ethiopia

24.02.2024

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the XII Christmas Parliamentary Meetings at the Federation Council of the Russian Federation

23.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: Patriarch of Constantinople is not a free man

07.01.2024

Christmas Message from Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Rus’

06.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill had phone conversation with Metropolitan Ioann of Belgorod and Stary Oskol

02.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill expresses condolences over deadly earthquake in northwest China

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill congratulates Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on his re-election as President of Egypt

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill welcomes the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the decoration of the Church of St Sava in Belgrade

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presides over jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Patriarchal greetings on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Vienna and Austria

26.11.2023

Primate of Russian Church presents historic miracle-working Kazan Icon of the Mother of God to the faithful and celebrates Liturgy in the Kremlin Dormition Cathedral

04.11.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the participants of the World Conference of Compatriots Living Abroad

01.11.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill met with the Primate of the Assyrian Church of the East

31.10.2023

Metropolitan Hilarion: Many things in a person's life depend on faith

29.08.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Holy Spirit is the main treasure of the Christian soul

01.08.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: Holiness is a constant striving to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ

27.06.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: God does not want to condemn, but to save us

07.03.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Lord always grants to us the opportunity to display our talents

24.01.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Lord has imbued the waters of Jordan with his divine presence to wash away human sins

19.01.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: to repent means to change your way of life

17.01.2021

On commemoration day of St. Catherine, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk officiated at the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr In-the-Fields  the representation of the Orthodox Church in America

07.12.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: We can always show compassion for people

29.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion celebrates on commemoration day of St. Varlaam of Khutyn at the church of ‘Joy to All the Afflicted’ icon of the Mother of God

19.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: We should remember that the life of each human being is in the hands of God

06.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: For God there is nothing impossible

25.10.2020

Metropoplitan Hilarion: The cross which was an instrument of dishonourable execution becomes the symbol of salvation for millions of people

27.09.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: Eucharist is the wedding feast, to which Lord Jesus Christ invites each of us

13.09.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: Faith alone is not enough for salvation

30.08.2020

Page is available in the following languages
Feedback

Fields marked by * are mandatory required

Send a message
Рус Укр Eng Deu Ελλ Fra Ita Бълг ქარ Срп Rom عرب