Moscow:Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the Kremlin on November 5 to discuss peace efforts and the presence of indigenous Christians in the Holy Land.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was also present during the meeting. President Putin awarded Patriarch Theophilos III the Order of Friendship, acknowledging his role in strengthening friendship, cooperation, and spiritual ties with Russia.
Theophilos III accepted the honor as recognition of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem's pastoral ministry and its guardianship of holy sites. He expressed gratitude to President Putin for supporting the Status Quo arrangements governing Jerusalem's holy sites. Putin reiterated his support for the Patriarchate's efforts to assist indigenous Christian communities and protect their sacred places.
Additionally, Patriarchs Theophilos III and Kirill discussed preparations for the 2030 celebrations commemorating Christ's baptism in Jordan, along with the relations between their churches, challenges in inter-Orthodox relations, and the situation of Christians in the Middle East.