President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides met Thursday with Patriarchs of Catholic churches of the Middle East who are in Cyprus for a Symposium on the future of Christians in the region. The meeting took place at the Presidential Palace and was attended, among others, by the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, Bechara Boutros and the Patriarch of the Syrian Catholic Church of Antioch, Ignatius Youssef Yonan. Patriarch Ignatius said, in statements after the meeting, that they were happy to meet President Christodoulides, adding that he cares about democracy and the interreligious dialogue. He said that they are not migrants in the countries of the Middle East but “people of these blessed places, just like in Cyprus’. According to Patriarch Ignatius the meeting was attended by Patriarchs from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Jerusalem, who are in Cyprus for a Symposium on the state and future of the Middle Eastern churches in the region. About 250 participants, clergy, nuns etc, are taking part in the Symposium, the Patriarch said. The Symposium began today and will wrap up Sunday and is under the auspices of the Vatican.
Source: Cyprus News Agency