BETHLEHEM, November 10 (RIA Novosti) - The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, praised Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for his efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.
“War always bring pain. Any goals must be achieved peacefully. I thank you, Mr. Abbas, for backing this position. We will be praying for peace in the Holy Land,” Patriarch Kirill told the Palestinian leader.
The patriarch, for whom it is the first visit to the Holy Land since he was elected to head the Russian Orthodox Church in 2009, also thanked Abbas for supporting Christian shrines in the region.
During his six-day stay, Patriarch Kirill is expected to visit Christian holy sites in Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan.
