Patriarch Yazigi Thanks Russia for Supporting Syria in Confrontation of Terrorism

MOSCOW, (ST)- Patriarch John X Yazigi of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Orthodox has thanked Russia for its support for the Syrian people in the confrontation of international terrorism.

Addressing Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia During the final session of the Russian Orthodox Church Council held in Moscow on Saturday with the participation of heads of the Orthodox Churches of the world, Partiarch Yazigi said “we highly appreciate the role you have been playing to support the Antioch Church and to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, a stance that we are proud of and that enhances the relation between the Russian and Antioch churches.”

 He thanked Russia, as president, government and people for assisting Syria in eliminating terrorism, in attaining security and stability and in finding peaceful solutions to the crisis in Syria and to other crises in the region.

“Today, with the support of the Russian church and people, we have become able to face all the challenges that may face our societies,” Patriarch Yazigi said, pointing out that the foreign-backed and financed terrorist war imposed on Syria have brought destruction and death and led millions of people leave their homeland.

“Political solution signs appear in the light of the terrorists’ defeat and we, as a unified Orthodox Church, should do our best to preserve Syria’s unity, to help Syria’s Christians return to their homeland in order to rebuild the destroyed churches there, to ensure suitable life to all and to provide job opportunities, food and medical services to our brothers who experienced hard times,” patriarch Yazigi clarified.  

Russian Orthodox Church hopes for peace in Syria, victory over terrorism

On his part, Patriarch Kirill expressed his confidence in Syria’s victory over terrorism and in the attainment of lasting stability in the country.

He stressed that the Russian Orthodox Church vows to provide support to Orthodox Christians in Syria and hopes peace will come to the country, according to Itar Tass news agency.

“Everything we do, we do with humility and with complete certainty that we need to share resources with those who are suffering today,” Patriarch Kirill said. “We believe that durable and fair peace will set in in Syria and we believe in a total victory over terrorism, in liberation of the Syrian people from that formidable yoke.”

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church thanked visiting Patriarch John of Antioch and All the East for his efforts and wished him strength and health to carry on with his mission.

Hamda Mustafa