Patriarch John of Antioch recently had a telephone conversation with Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria, during which they emphasized the importance of Christian presence in the Middle East.
“We bear witness for Christ in the land of His birth and the region from which the apostles emerged. We must recognize the significance of maintaining a Christian presence in the Middle East,” stated Patriarch John.
Their discussion highlighted the strong fraternal relationship between the two churches and focused on the challenges facing the Orthodox Church today. They discussed ways to improve communication between the churches, especially during times when values and principles are being undermined.
Patriarch John also emphasized the importance of acknowledging the Middle East as the cradle of Christianity—a region where peace should prevail. The two Patriarchs talked about the need to promote peace and dialogue to end the wars and conflicts that only serve to divide and create discord among people.