Russian Orthodox Church Damascus representation celebrates Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

On April 1, 2018, the Day of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, the festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Great Antioch, Hegumen Arseniy (Sokolov), at the Damascus representation of the Russian Orthodox Church.

After the service, Father Arseniy greeted the parishioners, saying, ‘For the first time in the seven years of war in Syria, we are celebrating in this church the divine services of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, Passion Week and Pascha – the most important divine services of the church year. May the Lord bless and strengthen all of us!’

Then he went to the Patriarchal Cathedral (Mariamie) to take part in the annual festive procession traditionally held in Eastern Orthodoxy on the Day of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. The procession was led by His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Great Antioch and All the East and involved the hierarchy and clergy of the Church of Antioch, drummers, Syrian Orthodox scouts and parishioners of the cathedral. After the procession Patriarch John X gave a patriarchal benediction from the balcony of the building.

Source: mospat.ru