On January 25, during his working visit to Lebanon, 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.
The meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including 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 assured His Beatitude of support for him and his flock during these challenging times.
During the extended and heartfelt discussion, a wide range of topics of mutual interest was addressed. These included the situation of Christians in the Middle East and other parts of the world, prospects for further developing fraternal relations between the Antiochian and Moscow Patriarchates, and the current state of inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian relations.
As a token of prayerful remembrance of the 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
