Russian Patriarch Concerned Over Oppressions of Christians in the Middle East
(Interfax) -- Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia expressed his concerns over discrimination of Christians in the Middle East.
"We are deeply concerned that as recent military conflicts and frequent discrimination have forced many Christians including Maronites to leave their native land," the Patriarch said in his message to Beshara Al-Rai as the latter was elected Patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church (Lebanon.)
The Patriarch stressed that the Russian Church that had been present in the Holy Land for several centuries and "always sequentially and firmly supported Christians living in long-suffering land of the Middle East.
He reminded that for many years the Russian Church had maintained friendly relations with the Maronite Patriarchate representing ancient Antioch tradition to which "many great Fathers of the Church venerated both Catholics and Orthodox" belonged.
"This circumstance appears essential in the prospect of developing Orthodox-Catholic dialogue as the Holy Tradition is the foundation that allows us reaching mutual understanding. Orthodox Church of St.Maron of Syria, especially venerated by the Maronite Church, has existed in Moscow since the 18th century and it proves that our Churches have had long-term relations," the message reads.