On April 22nd, the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of France held its periodic meeting at the headquarters of the AEOF at the Saint-Stéphane Cathedral. Various topics were discussed. Excerpts from the statement:
– Discussions were held with Father Jivko Panev, producer of the AEOF television program “Orthodoxie” on France 2, regarding the production conditions of the program. The drafting work by the AEOF Liturgical Commission on the two offices concerning the saints of the land of France and the preservation of Creation were discussed in a virtual meeting with Father André Lossky. Bishop Marc (Alric) presented a report on Orthodox chaplaincies in hospitals. Father Anton Gelyasov mentioned Orthodox chaplaincies at airports. Carol Saba presented a detailed report on meetings he had at the Ministry of the Interior, representing the AEOF, with officials from the Offices of Religions and Secularism, along with other religious representatives in France.
– In light of the 13th anniversary of the abduction in Syria of former Metropolitans of Aleppo, Metropolitan Paul Yazigi (brother of Patriarch John X of Antioch) and Syrian Metropolitan John Ibrahim, the Orthodox bishops of France once again appeal to French and international authorities to intervene with Syrian and regional authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the abduction and its resolution.
– The bishops welcome the visit to France of His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I, who was received on March 30, 2026, as a foreign associate member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences. His visit involved several pastoral, cultural, and diplomatic meetings, as well as meetings with the highest authorities of the state in France.
– The bishops express concern about the dangerous situation in the Middle East, which continues to be a major source of worry due to the threats to security and peace worldwide. They call on all universal consciences and international organizations to stop the spiral of violence, reminding all parties of the imperatives of respecting international law, particularly international humanitarian law.
– The bishops also show solidarity with all civilian populations suffering from the ravages of war, particularly expressing support for the Lebanese people enduring terrible suffering due to ongoing acts of war on their territory.
– In alignment with the statement of Patriarch John X of Antioch, head of the Orthodox Church of Antioch and the East, the Orthodox bishops of France condemn the violence targeting the Christian village of Al-Suqaylabiyya in Syria’s Hama region.
Source: AEOF (including photo)
