Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church participates in Patriarchal service at the Dormition Cathedral in Damascus

Communications Service of the DECR, 15.08.2026.

On 15^th August 2026, on the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God according to the Julian (New) calendar, at the invitation of His Beatitude the Patriarch of Great Antioch and All the East John, the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church archimandrite Philipp (Vasiltsev) attended matins and the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God in the city of Damascus, Syria.

The Divine Liturgy on the feast day was headed by His Beatitude Patriarch John. Concelebrating with him were the first secretary of the Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch the bishop of Seleucia Roman, the bishop of Darayya Moussa, the bishop of Resafa John, the bishop of Hierapolis Arsanius, archimandrite Philipp (Vasiltsev), archimandrite Parphenius (Al-Lati) and the clergy of the Syrian capital.

The service was held in Arabic, Church Slavonic and Greek, reports the website of the representation office of the Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus.

Praying at the service was the Greek ambassador to Syria Emmanuel Kakavelakis.

After the communion verse the bishop of Hieropolis Arsenius delivered a sermon.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch His Holiness Patriarch John addressed the concelebrants and the faithful gathered in prayer. He congratulated his flock on the occasion of the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God and invoked God’s blessing upon all those present.

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Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church participates in Patriarchal service at the Dormition Cathedral in Damascus

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons