Patriarch John X of Antioch Discussed the Situation in Lebanon with the U.S. Ambassador

John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, held a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, during which the two sides discussed the current sociopolitical situation in Lebanon and the Middle East. At the residence in Balamand, the participants emphasized the importance of the Antiochian Orthodox Church as a key religious, educational, and social institution in the region. This was reported by Gorthodox.

During the talks, the Patriarch expressed his gratitude to the American diplomat for his efforts to strengthen international dialogue. In turn, Michel Issa noted the important peacemaking mission of the Church of Antioch and highlighted the significant influence of Orthodox communities of the Antiochian tradition, which are represented not only in the Middle East but also in North America.

The parties focused on the Church’s activities in the field of education. In particular, they discussed Balamanda University, founded in 1988 by Patriarch Ignatius IV during the civil war as a venue for the peaceful education of youth, as well as the historic St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology. These institutions, along with numerous medical and social projects, remain key elements of the Church’s humanitarian work in modern-day Lebanon.