During his working visit to Lebanon on January 25, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate (DECR), visited the St. John of Damascus Theological Institute at Balamand University. There, he was received by Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East.
Also present at the meeting were dignitaries such as the Advisor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Archpriest Nikolai Balashov; DECR Deputy Chairman, Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk; the rector of the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Beirut and representative of the Patriarch of Moscow to the Patriarch of Antioch, Archimandrite Philip (Vasilytsev); DECR Secretary, Priest Nikolai Vasin; Dean of the Theological Institute, Archimandrite Jacob (Khalil); and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Lebanon, Alexander Rudakov.
Metropolitan Anthony conveyed a fraternal greeting from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to the Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. He also offered his support to Patriarch John and his flock during these challenging times.
The discussion covered various topics of mutual interest, including the situation of Christians in the Middle East and globally, opportunities for strengthening relations between the Antiochian and Moscow Patriarchates, and the current status of inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian relations.
As a symbol of their meeting, Metropolitan Anthony presented Patriarch John with a commemorative gift.
Following the meeting, Patriarch John hosted a dinner in honor of Metropolitan Anthony and his delegation.
Source: mospat.ru
