Patriarch John X of Antioch received Metropolitan Ephrem Maalouli, Metropolitan of Aleppo, together with a delegation of priests and members of the Archdiocesan Council, at the Patriarchal Residence in Damascus.
At the beginning of the meeting, His Beatitude expressed his deep and abiding joy at welcoming brothers and beloved members of the Church from Aleppo. He recalled his many pastoral visits to the faithful of the city during the hardships they have endured, particularly following the abduction of their shepherd, Metropolitan Paul Yazigi. Patriarch John X noted that this meeting at the Patriarchal Residence held special significance and warmly praised the steadfastness and resilience of the people of Aleppo despite the severity of the circumstances they continue to face.
For his part, Metropolitan Ephrem conveyed to His Beatitude the love of all the faithful of the Archdiocese, along with their wishes for his good health and long life. On behalf of the clergy and people of Aleppo, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Patriarch for his constant support and for his unwavering positions, which have been a decisive source of strength, encouraging the faithful to remain rooted and steadfast in their homeland.
