A Russian delegation composed of parliamentarians, political and military representatives recently made a visit to Syria for a program of meetings which also includes visits to representatives of churches and local religious communities. This is what is reported in a statement by the Patriarchate of Moscow, sent to Agenzia Fides. The delegation included Communist MP Sergei Gavrilov, group leader for the defense of Christian values, and Dmitry Sablin, a member of the Federation Council and vice president of the Military veteran Association.
On October 24, the Russian delegation met with Bishop Lukas of Sednaya, of the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate in Antioch, and took part in a prayer service at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God. In the greetings addressed to the guests, Bishop Lukas expressed his gratitude to the Patriarch of Moscow, the Government and the Russian people, “for their support towards the Syrian people”. The Russian delegation delivered a lot of humanitarian aid (foodstuffs and especially baby food) collected by the parishioners of the church of the Holy Resurrection of Uspensky Vrazhek to the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch – based in Damascus. A part of the humanitarian aid was also sent to an orphanage for the children of fallen Syrian military.
During the visit, members of the Russian delegation were also received by President Bashar al-Assad and the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun.
Source: Fides News
