The Russian Orthodox Church has expressed its support for the peacemaking initiative of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. During his recent meeting with the Pope in Rome, Patriarch Theophilos expressed his readiness to act as a mediator in the reconciliation of Orthodox Churches and to participate in peacekeeping efforts in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

"The path to dialogue and reconciliation is undoubtedly difficult, but the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is ready to contribute in every possible way to putting an end to conflicts and suffering," said Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

The peacemaking efforts of the Patriarch of Jerusalem were welcomed by the Russian Orthodox Church. Protopresbyter Nikolay Balashov, an advisor to Patriarch Kirill, made this statement.

"The Russian Orthodox Church welcomes any mediation efforts aimed at developing dialogue and achieving a just peace in Ukraine. We hold such initiatives in high esteem, especially when they come from the patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, the head of the ancient Church, which is the mother of all Christian Churches. The Moscow Patriarchate also supports the intention of the Jerusalem Church to facilitate comprehensive discussions on the issues within the global Orthodox family," said Balashov. His words were quoted by the press service of the Synodal Department for External Church Relations.

The advisor to Patriarch Kirill reminded that the Jerusalem Church has repeatedly taken on a peacekeeping role. "We remember the Amman meeting of Primates and representatives of several Local Orthodox Churches, initiated by Patriarch Theophilos in 2020. It was an important step in inter-Orthodox communication and this step needs to be continued," emphasized Father Nikolay.

On February 26, 2020, a meeting of Primates of Local Orthodox Churches was held in the capital of Jordan, Amman, convened by Patriarch Theophilos III. It was attended by Patriarchs Theophilos of Jerusalem, Kirill of Moscow, Irinej of Serbia, the head of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Metropolitan Rostislav, as well as delegations from the Romanian and Polish Churches. In turn, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, as well as the heads of the Greek, Cypriot, and Albanian Churches, declined Patriarch Theophilos' proposal to convene to address the issue of the schism in the Orthodox world due to the situation in Ukraine.