Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, on his election as a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Antioch.
"I was glad to receive the message about the high honor that the Holy Orthodox Church of Antioch has bestowed on you, taking into account your many merits– to be a permanent member of its Holy Synod.
For forty-four years, your presence in Russia has been perceived by the clergy and believers of the Russian Orthodox Church as a blessing to the land where the disciples of Christ first began to be called Christians.
I can say with confidence that your personal contribution to the development of relations between the Russian and Antiochian Orthodox Churches is truly historic," Patriarch Kirill said.
Photo: https://raskolam.net/