On 11 February 2012, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Church of St. Ignatius the God-bearer – the metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus. On the commemoration day of the patron saint, the parishioners offered up zealous prayers for Christians in Syria. The liturgy was followed by a moleben.
Archimandrite Alexander (Yelisov), Rector of the metochion and representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Antioch, addressed the worshippers, saying: “The light of Christian faith has illumined this land, invoking the grace of the Holy Spirit upon it and keeping its inhabitants from hatred and malice. O great God-bearer Ignatius! Having given your life as a martyr, grant us wisdom to imitate you in all things.”
On February 12, the commemoration day of SS Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, Archimandrite Alexander celebrated his 52nd birthday. After the Divine Liturgy, the worshippers greeted their pastor.