On October 3, 2025, His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East welcomed Metropolitan Theodore of Volgograd, who arrived leading a delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church. The meeting took place at the Patriarchal Residence in Balamand, Lebanon, with the participation of the Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Rudaakov, and Metropolitan Nifon of Philippopolis, the representative of the Patriarch of Antioch to the Patriarch of Moscow.

During the meeting, the discussions centered around the current situation in the Middle East, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by Christians in the region, with specific attention to the ongoing crisis in Syria.

The tragic events unfolding in the region cast a shadow over the visit. On October 1, 2025, in the Christian-majority area of Wadi al-Nasara (Valley of the Christians) in Syria, masked gunmen opened fire on a group of young Christian men. Two individuals were killed, and one other was seriously wounded.

The tragedy sparked widespread protests, with locals blocking roads, burning tires, and even setting fire to a security checkpoint in demands for protection. The following day, thousands of people gathered for the funeral procession, mourning the victims as martyrs for their faith.

The Antiochian Patriarchate expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, condemning the attack as an "abhorrent crime that shames humanity." The statement called upon the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and emphasized the need for restoring peace and justice in the region. “May the Lord receive the souls of the slain into His embrace and grant comfort to the grieving hearts,” Patriarch John X wrote in his message.

The discussions between Patriarch John X and the Russian delegation also touched on the broader geopolitical concerns in the region, with particular emphasis on the persecution faced by Christians and the importance of solidarity among Orthodox Churches in the face of such adversity.

As Christians in Syria continue to suffer, the meeting underscored the need for increased international awareness and action to protect religious communities in the Middle East. The tragic shooting in Wadi al-Nasara serves as a stark reminder of the dangers facing religious minorities in the region, and the Church’s role in advocating for peace and justice remains more vital than ever.