Patriarch Kirill expresses support for Antioch Church after attacks on Christians in Syria

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent an official message to Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East, in which he expressed deep sympathy and fraternal solidarity of the Russian Orthodox Church in connection with the recent acts of violence against Orthodox Christians in the Syrian city of Al-Suqaylabiya.

According to the Greek Orthodoxia News Agency, the reason for the appeal was reports of an attack by armed extremists, accompanied by pogroms and acts of vandalism against believers. In his letter, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church emphasized: “I express my sincere sympathy and fraternal support for Your Beatitude and your Christ-honored flock.”

Patriarch Kirill expressed full support for the official statement of the Antiochian Church regarding the incident. He joined the call for the competent authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, bring the perpetrators to justice and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Christian population in Syria. “I assure you of my prayers for you, dear Brother, and for the Apostolic Church of Greater Antioch, whose children, on the eve of Holy Week, have once again known the bitterness of suffering,” the Patriarch concluded by wishing peace and prosperity to the people of Syria.