by Thanos Thanopoulos
Patriarch Irinej of Serbia is in Damascus, during an official visit to the area.
Patriarch Irinej received a warm welcome by Patriarch John of Antioch at the Cathedral of Virgin Mary in Damascus.
There followed an official Doxology where Patriarch John of Antioch welcomed Patriarch Irinej in Syria.
“We welcome you to the tortured country of Syria and the martyred Church of Antioch,” said Patriarch John.
“We ask you to pray for peace in Syria, abducted Metropolitans, for our Church, for stability in Lebanon and for those affected by the war,” added the Patriarch of Antioch.
From his point, the Primate of the Serbian Church thanked Patriarch John for his warm and heartfelt welcome and referred to the visit of the Patriarch of Antioch to Serbia.
During his stay, the Patriarch of Serbia will have meetings with Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, Lebanese President Michel Aun and Middle East officials.