Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk Begins Working Visit to Lebanon, Meets Catholicos Aram I

Accompanying Metropolitan Anthony on this trip are Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, advisor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, deputy chairman of the DECR; and Priest Nikolai Vasin, secretary of the DECR chairman.

The Russian Orthodox Church delegation was greeted upon arrival by Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, the representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’; Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), the representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ to the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and rector of the Metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church in Lebanon; and Mr. A.N. Rudakov, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Lebanese Republic.

Immediately upon his arrival at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri Airport, Metropolitan Anthony held a meeting with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church. During their conversation, the prospects for cooperation between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Cilician Catholicosate were discussed, with both parties emphasizing the significance of developing dialogue between the Orthodox and Oriental churches. Metropolitan Anthony expressed gratitude to the Cilician Catholicosate for its ongoing support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Aram I requested that his fraternal best wishes be conveyed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, with whom he shares a long-standing close relationship.