The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is prepared to assist in convening negotiations between the Antiochian and Jerusalem Patriarchates to resolve the dispute over the canonical jurisdiction of Qatar, according to Father Nikolai Balashov, an advisor to Patriarch Kirill.

"In these tragic circumstances where the future of Christianity in the Middle East is in jeopardy, His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and members of his Synod felt it necessary to rise above the still unresolved dispute over canonical jurisdiction in the Gulf countries. The prospects for resolving this contradiction still look quite uncertain, but the Russian Orthodox Church is ready to do all that depends on it to contribute to the success of further negotiations," Father Nikolai is quoted by TASS.

He highlighted that the Moscow Patriarchate has been paying significant attention to the Qatari problem since 2013 when it emerged in an "acute form." According to Father Nikolai, dialogue at the highest church and expert levels on this issue with both sides has occurred multiple times in Moscow and other cities worldwide.

In 2013, the Jerusalem Patriarchate established a diocese in Qatar. This move prompted protests from the Antiochian Church, which viewed Qatar as part of its canonical territory, interpreting it as an encroachment. Following unsuccessful negotiations in 2014, the Antiochian Church severed ties with Jerusalem.

On October 21, the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Church restored communion with the Jerusalem Patriarchate, which had been severed in 2014 due to a dispute over the canonical jurisdiction of Qatar. This decision was motivated by the dire situation faced by the Jerusalem Church due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Patriarch John X of Antioch expressed condolences to Patriarch Theophilus of Jerusalem over the destruction of a church in Gaza and the loss of lives.

Father Nikolai Balashov stated that the Russian Church welcomes the resolution of the Antiochian Synod to restore communion with the Jerusalem Church. This decision, he noted, highlights the "priority of love and mutual care over all other motivations." In the present extreme circumstances brought about by the exacerbation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza, it appears entirely justified, concluded Balashov.