His Holiness Patriarch Alexy meets a Lebanese parliamentary delegation

On 6 April 2006, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church received a Lebanese parliamentary delegation in the Patriarchal and Synodal residence at St.Daniel’s Monastery. The delegation consisted of vice speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Farid Makari, and deputies A.Majdalami, A.Andraus, A.Saad, A.Zakha. S.Sarkisian, R.Rahal and A.Shaeba. Bishop Nifon of Philipopolis, representative of the Patriarch of Antioch with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, accompanied the delegation.

Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, the DECR MP secretary for interorthodox relations also took part in the meeting.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia warmly greeted the guests from Lebanon and expressed his hope that their visit to Moscow would promote the development of relations between Lebanon and Russia and would also give a fresh incentive for the strengthening of cultural, political and business contacts between our nations.

His Holiness said that the Russian Orthodox Church had maintained traditional friendly relations with the people of Lebanon, where the Patriarch of Antioch takes spiritual care for the Orthodox Christians. In March 2005, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy received a delegation of the Christian and Muslim communities of Lebanon. The delegation consisted of state leaders, businessmen and journalists. His Holiness noted active cooperation with Lebanon in the International Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Nations. Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon I.Fares was prizewinner of the Foundation in 2002, and the Orthodox University of Balamand – in 2005. News about the opening of the ‘Russian and Orthodoxy’ chair in this educational institution was received with joy.

‘We have always followed the developments in the Middle East, including Lebanon, with resolute attention’, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church said and noted with regret that even after the murderous civil war had ended and the process of peaceful settlement had started, the political situation in the country remains tense. It is dramatized by the terrorist acts against the outstanding public and political figures. ‘We were shocked by the atrocious attack on 14 February 2005 that had taken the life of the Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, whom I had an honour to know personally. – His Holiness said. – The assassination of an Orthodox member of Parliament and journalist Jubran Tvany in December 2005 brought great pain to our hearts’.

‘We do not doubt that the Lebanese people seek a peaceful settlement of the conflict situation lasting for many years. – His Holiness noted. – It is indeed necessary to seek a solution through peace talks so that the nightmare of civil confrontation that has brought so many trials to the much-suffering Lebanese people would not be repeated. It is only in this case that Lebanon would be capable of giving the world an example of peaceful coexistence of civilizations and of maintaining good relations with the neighboring countries, including Syria, with which Lebanon has maintained close relations for centuries and where the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch is located, as well as with all countries of the world.’

The head of the Lebanese delegation F.Makari described His Holiness Patriarch Alexy as ‘father and the best friend of the Orthodox people of Lebanon’. He invited His Holiness to come on another visit to Lebanon and see the newly built Beirut that combines its rich history and modernity. The vice speaker thanked His Holiness for warm reception.