Today, at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill, together with the delegates of all Orthodox Churches of the world have expressed concern about the situation of Christians in Syria and called for the continued presence of Christian churches not only in the war-torn country, but also throughout the Middle East .
"Today, as a result of the conflicts that are taking place, especially as a result of the tragedy taking place in Syria, there is a scary prospect to lose the Christian presence in the country. And if that happens, the neighboring countries do not remain on the sidelines. The devastation in the Middle East from the point of view of the presence of Christianity should not be allowed," RIA Novosti quotes Patriarch Kirill's words, spoken on behalf of all those present at the meeting.
He stressed that physical destruction or displacement of Christians from the Middle East is a tragedy for the common people, and for the Orthodox Churches, and the world culture. "It will be a civilizational catastrophe. All our roots are there, from there comes our faith, and the ancient patriarchates, whose representatives are here," the Patriarch said.
