Russian delegation visits a church in Damascus, two monasteries in Maaloula

DAMASCUS- Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Anna Kuznetsova and the accompanying delegation on Wednesday visited the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in Damascus, where they met with Archbishop Romanos Al-Hannat.

The archbishop talked about cooperation between Syria and Russia in the humanitarian field, noting the close ties between the two Orthodox churches in the two countries.

He thanked the Russian people, leadership and the Russian Church for supporting Syria.

Kuznetsova, for her part, affirmed Russia’s firm support for Syria and its will to continue providing humanitarian assistance and relief aid to the Syrian people.

The Russian delegation presented the icon of St. Princess Olga as a gift to the Patriarchate.

Members of the Russian delegation also visited the Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus and the monastery of St. Tekla in Maaloula, Damascus countryside. They presented the two monasteries two icons as gifts, in addition to divine mass requirements.

Hamda Mustafa