Patriarch John X of Antioch expressed his gratitude to the Russian Orthodox Church for its continued support of the Orthodox Church of Antioch during a meeting with Archimandrite Philip (Vasilytsev), representative of the Patriarch of Moscow, following the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Damascus.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the invitation of Patriarch John X, and following its conclusion, Archimandrite Philip conveyed the festal greetings of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, as well as those of Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. On this occasion, Archimandrite Philip presented him with a commemorative Engolpion (pectoral icon) depicting the Nativity of Christ.
In response, Patriarch John X asked that his warm Christmas greetings and wishes for the New Year be conveyed to Patriarch Kirill, while also expressing his sincere appreciation for the ongoing support offered by the Russian Orthodox Church to the Patriarchate of Antioch.
He also voiced his solidarity with the “suffering canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” its Primate, Metropolitan Onufriy, as well as its clergy and faithful. At the same time, he requested the prayers of all for the Orthodox Church of Antioch, which continues to face significant challenges in the region.
