MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Orthodox Church has condemned hostilities in the Middle East, urged to stop expulsion of people and destruction of christian monuments, the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church said in a message released on Sunday.
"The Orthodox Church unequivocally condemns the extension of military violence, the expulsion and murder of members of religious minorities. She denounces the destruction of churches, religious symbols and cultural monuments… Our Council appeals to all parties involved to make systematic efforts without delay to bring to an end the military conflicts in the Middle East " the message read.
The Council was convened after over 50 years of preparations. Of the 14 national Orthodox churches, four did not attend the event, including the Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Georgian and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches, as well as the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.
