Cooperation agreement between the Russian Orthodox Church and the (Masana) Medical Center in Damascus

On January 21st, the Russian Orthodox Church and Masana Medical Center in Damascus for the rehabilitation and installation of artificial limbs for children signed an agreement to extend cooperation and work in the center.

The center undertakes the production of prostheses for children injured as a result of the explosion of mines in addition to psychological care for them and their follow-up by doctors within the center.

The Head of the Department of External Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anthony, explained that the extension of the cooperation agreement means the continuation of Russian funding for the work of this center, which has benefited so far more than 300 children.

Metropolitan Anthony pointed out that the Russian and Syrian peoples are friends and brothers, and one of the symbols of this friendship is the opening of the center.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, John X Yazigi, noted the importance of the care and attention provided by the center to children, enabling them to rely on themselves, continue their lives and integrate into society.

For his part, the director of the center, Dr. Hasan Nasrallah, thanked all those who supported the work of the center and drew joy on the faces of the children who received treatment and rehabilitation in it,

He said that the center was expanded in a way that meets the various needs of children in terms of health and psychological care and attention, including the opening of Art therapy department, especially music.

A number of children gave a musical performance through which they showed the psychological and motor improvement they gained from the services provided to them at the center, and a set of gifts from Russia were distributed to them.

The signing of the cooperation extension agreement was preceded by the holding of a Divine Liturgy in the representative office of the Russian Church in Damascus, the Church of St. Eugnatius of Antioch.

The signing of the agreement was attended by the Governor of Damascus, Engineer Muhammad Tariq Krishati, the Russian Ambassador to Damascus Alexander Yefimov, the head of the Fund for the Preservation of Christian Heritage and Culture Igor Skopenko, and religious and social events.

Last March, the representative of the Russian Church in Damascus, the Church of St. Eugnatius of Antioch, opened the (Massana) Medical Center for the rehabilitation and installation of artificial limbs for children.

O. al-Mohammad