Patriarch Kirill fervently prays for the Antiochian Orthodox Church - adviser to the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church

Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Advisor to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, commented on the events taking place in Syria, which directly affect the Antiochian Orthodox Church. He noted that the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church offers his prayers for Patriarch John of Antioch, the bishops, clergy and Orthodox Christians of Syria, worrying about their peace and safety. This is reported by the ROC DECR Communication Service.

“Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is following the developments in Syria with great attention and concern. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church is fervently praying for his Brother, Patriarch John of Antioch and All the East, for the bishops, priests and deacons, monks and laity of the Church of Antioch, for their peace and safety, for peace on the blessed Syrian land where many saints have worked. We keep in touch with the Church of Antioch on a daily basis, in particular through the representatives of the Patriarchate of Antioch in Moscow, Metropolitan Nifon of Philippi, and the Moscow Patriarchate in Damascus, Archimandrite Philip, and thanks to our existing connections we receive news firsthand. We hope that through the efforts of all people of goodwill, with the help of God, it will be possible to ensure the preservation of the Christian heritage and the Christian population of the Middle East. Otherwise, humanity will suffer an irreparable loss,” — said Archpriest Nikolai Balashov.

Earlier, we reported that the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches expressed support for the Patriarchate of Antioch in connection with the political crisis that led to the overthrow of the government in Syria. The heads of the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Jerusalem, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria, as well as the Primates of the Churches of Cyprus, Greece and Albania, expressed their position on the events in Syria.