On June 14, 2023, a delegation of the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage, headed by Executive Director Egor Skopenko, paid a working visit to Lebanon.
During the trip, the Foundation's representatives visited the Russian-style church in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God "Unintentional Joy" in the city of Zahle, built with the participation of the Foundation. The members of the delegation got acquainted with the progress of construction works, met with representatives of the contracting organization, discussed current problems and deadlines.
On the same day, representatives of the Foundation visited the Zahlei-Baalbek Metropolia of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, where they met with Metropolitan Anthony of Zahlei-Baalbek. During the meeting, the parties signed a cooperation agreement for the current year and discussed plans for 2024. Metropolitan Anthony also expressed gratitude for the support and hope for further comprehensive cooperation. At the end of the meeting, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Egor Skopenko, presented Metropolitan Anthony with an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov.
Then the delegation visited the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Jal-El-Dib, which is being reconstructed with the assistance of the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage. During the visit, the members of the delegation got acquainted with the progress of construction works and discussed current issues.
In addition, on June 14, a delegation of the Foundation visited the Metropolitan of the Lebanese Mountains. Within the framework of the working visit, a meeting was held with Metropolitan Silouan of the Lebanese Mountains, which was also attended by Archimandrite Philip, representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and A.N. Rudakov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Lebanon. The parties signed an agreement for the current year and discussed the work plan for 2024. Metropolitan Siluan also expressed gratitude to the Foundation for its active work and assistance.
At the end of the working trip, on June 15, representatives of the Foundation visited the Tyre-Sidon Metropolia of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. In the city of Marjaayun, guests from the Foundation, as well as Archimandrite Philip, were received by Metropolitan Elijah of Tyre and Sidon. During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Metropolis of Tyre and Sidon, signed an agreement for the current year and discussed issues of further cooperation.
After the meeting, the Foundation's delegation visited an Orthodox school in the city of Marjaayun, whose activities were funded with the assistance of the Foundation, and also met with teachers and students.