Delegations of Russia and the DPR organized the first Christmas tree in 10 years in the Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus
The official visit of the delegations of the Russian Federation and the Donetsk People's Republic to the Syrian Arab Republic has been completed. On the last day of their stay in the country, guests from Russian soil organized the first Christmas tree for the children of Damascus since the beginning of hostilities in the only church of the Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus - the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer. The holding of the first Christmas tree in 10 years was blessed by the Moscow and Antioch Patriarchs.
Orthodox residents of Syria celebrate Christmas twice - on December 25 and January 7.
“When hostilities were going on in the suburbs of Damascus, we were regularly fired upon. 70, 80 shells were fired every day. Fortunately, no shells hit our building. The plaster was falling down, but, thank God, everyone was alive and safe. The activities of the representative office were frozen here during the most intense years of the war. But it’s been several years since we “unfroze,” said the representative of the Patriarch of Moscow to the Patriarch of Antioch, Abbot Arseny Sokolov.
Several dozen Syrian children were waiting for a Christmas performance, and, of course, a green beauty with a touch of the Russian tricolor shining on New Year's balls. The children were entertained by the Russian Father Frost and the Snow Maiden and the colorful Syrian black-bearded Snowman. Of course, according to the New Year and Christmas tradition, everyone received gifts and toys.
“It was clear how the guys missed miracles. Probably their main New Year's wish, like the children of Donbass, will be peace. I believe that next year this cherished wish will come true,” said Alexey Muratov, head of the central executive committee of the Donetsk Republic movement.
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