Greek Minister of Defense calls to protect Christians in the Middle East
An official meeting of the Ministers of Defense of Greece and Lebanon in Athens. Photo: Orthodoxia news agency
On November 13, 2025, the Minister of National Defense of Greece, Nikos Dendias, once again raised the issue of protecting the Christian population in the Middle East. This was reported by Orthodoxia news agency.
During a meeting in Athens with the Minister of Defense of Lebanon, Michel Menassah, the head of the Defense Department of Greece called the support of Christian communities in the region a priority for Athens. He emphasized that Greece consistently opposes any forms of violence aimed at restricting religious freedom.
According to Dendias, Christian communities in the Middle East are indigenous to the region and an important part of the cultural and historical tradition of countries, including Lebanon and Syria. In this regard, Greece intends to continue supporting the Greek Orthodox patriarchates operating in these territories.
The minister also recalled Athens' ongoing initiatives related to educational and cultural cooperation, particularly with the University of Balamand. He noted that Greece continues to deepen contacts with religious and academic centers in Lebanon.
In conclusion, Dendias confirmed that the protection of Christian communities remains one of the constant directions of Greece's foreign policy in the region.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Archbishop of Greece Ieronymos urged Trump to protect the monastery on Sinai.
Read also
Media show abandoned churches in Lviv region falling into ruin
A blogger has drawn attention to the condition of shrines in Lviv region that have been left without care or protection.
Hierarch of Constantinople: We hold highest authority in Orthodox Church
Archbishop Elpidophoros compared the status of the Church of Constantinople to the position of the pope in the Roman Catholic Church.
Authorities strip UOC community of St Michael’s Church in Krasnokutsk
The prosecutor’s office described the deprivation of the UOC community’s property rights to the St Michael’s church in Krasnokutsk as “the protection of historical heritage”.
Abbess Serafima appeals to premier over eviction of nuns in Baturyn
The head of the Synodal Department of the UOC “Church and Culture” asks Svyrydenko to restore to the sisters of the St Nicholas Monastery in Baturyn the opportunity to remain there through the winter until a court ruling is issued.
Orthodox bishops lead a prayer at March for Life in Washington
Hierarchs from different Local Churches offered a prayer for unborn children at the largest pro-life event in the United States, which drew about 10,000 participants.
UOC's Dormition Monastery in Odesa damaged by shelling
During the night, the Dormition Monastery came under fire. Utility and church buildings were damaged, and one person was wounded.