Patriarch John X of Antioch expresses support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church during the Christmas Liturgy in Damascus

The representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarchal Throne of Antioch, Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), took part in the Divine Liturgy in Damascus on January 25, the day of the celebration of Christmas according to the New Julian calendar. The service, led by His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Great Antioch and All the East, became a platform for the exchange of greetings between the Patriarchates, as well as for expressing firm support for the persecuted canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

According to the ROC DECR, the Liturgy was held at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the personal invitation of His Beatitude Patriarch John X. In addition to the Primate of the Church of Antioch and Archimandrite Philip, the service was attended by Bishops John of Sergiopolis and Moses of Larissa, Archimandrite Paul (Orduloglo) of Tartu, who was elected and nominated to be Bishop of Tartu, and the cathedral clergy. The service was conducted in Arabic, Church Slavonic and Greek, symbolizing the universal nature of Orthodox unity.

Among the guests of honor who attended the Divine Liturgy were Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabwat and Greek Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Syria Emmanuel Kakavelakis, which emphasizes the significance of the event for interstate and religious relations in the region.

During the service, Archimandrite Philip conveyed Christmas greetings to the Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Church on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. As a sign of fraternal love and respect, Archimandrite Philip presented His Beatitude with a holy panagia with the image of the Nativity of Christ.

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, for his part, asked to convey to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill his greetings on the upcoming New Year and Christmas, and expressed his deep gratitude for the continued support of the Russian Orthodox Church of Antioch. Patriarch John X placed a special emphasis on the situation around the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, expressing «words of support to the persecuted canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, its Primate, bishops and faithful.» He also asked for prayers for the Antiochian Orthodox Church, which is facing its own challenges.

As reported, the day before, the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel, made an official statement regarding the upcoming joint service with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, emphasizing that representatives of the OCU would not be present. This decision was reached by mutual agreement and reflects the consistent position of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on the non-recognition of the OCU.