On June 20, 2014, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, met with a delegation of the Association of Orthodox Families in Beirut, who are on a visit to Moscow at the invitation of the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society, which was represented at the meeting by Ms. Ye. Agapova.
Metropolitan Hilarion told the guests about the efforts made by the Russian Orthodox Church in the Middle East to help protect its Christian population. He expressed hope for a speedy cessation of the armed conflict in Syria and restoration of peaceful life in it.
The head of the Lebanese delegation, Mr. N. Toueini, thanked the DECR chairman for the meeting and pointed to the constructive role played by the Russian Orthodox Church in the efforts to restore peace in the Middle East. He expressed hope that the Moscow Patriarchate and the State of Lebanon will continue their cooperation.
They also discussed other matters of mutual concern.