Patriarch of Alexandria expresses support for Middle East Patriarchates amid tensions in the region

Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa held telephone conversations with His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine. The communion took place on March 9 due to the extremely difficult situation and trials that the peoples of the Middle East are going through.

According to Romfea.gr, during these conversations, the Patriarch of Alexandria expressed his deep solidarity with the Church of St. Mark the Apostle and his personal fraternal love for the Primate of the two ancient Patriarchates. His Beatitude assured that the Patriarchate of Alexandria is following with special concern the developments in the region and prays unceasingly for the enthronement of peace, stability and reconciliation between the peoples.

It was especially emphasized that the ties between the ancient Patriarchates of the Middle East are not only historical and ecclesiastical, but also deeply fraternal and personal. Patriarch Theodore II is linked to Patriarch John X of Antioch by a long-standing personal spiritual friendship that dates back to their student years at the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

In addition, the Patriarch of Alexandria is bound to Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem by his special reverence for the late Patriarch Venedictus of Jerusalem (†1980). During the conversation, Patriarch Theodore also recalled with excitement the spiritual legacy he received from his elder, Metropolitan Theodore Tsedakis (†1996) of Rethymnia, who instilled in him a deep love for the Holy Places and respect for the Holy Brotherhood.

The Church of Mark the Apostle continues to offer prayers that the God of peace will grant wisdom to the leaders, protection to the innocent, and hope to the peoples of the region so that peace and reconciliation may prevail.

Recall that on Monday, March 16, at about 15:00 local time, a large fragment of a missile, shot down by an air defense system, fell 100 meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The incident occurred during a rocket fired by Iran towards Jerusalem.