Christian World | Patriarch John X of Antioch met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, urging an end to fighting, Israeli withdrawal and a future for Christians in Lebanon

ACW | October 22, 2026 — Patriarch John X Yazigi of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch called for an end to military operations in southern Lebanon during a visit to the presidential palace in Baabda on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Orthodox Times reported.

Speaking on behalf of the church's Holy Synod, he stressed the return of displaced people, a full Israeli withdrawal and the reconstruction of damaged areas. According to Orthodox Times, the Patriarch described Lebanon's equal Christian-Muslim representation as a symbol of coexistence and said Orthodox Christians will stay in Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese website Al-Hadeel, the Patriarch told the president: "We rely on your wisdom to bring the Lebanese together again." He also listed the depositors' crisis and the Beirut port explosion investigation among the country's heavy files.

President Aoun told the delegation, according to Al-Hadeel: "I am the President of the Republic of Lebanon, not the president of the Maronites, the Muslims or any sect." He said the goals of negotiations are Israeli withdrawal, the return of the displaced, reconstruction and army deployment across Lebanon.

Background: The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch is based in Damascus, and most of its faithful live in Syria and Lebanon. Under the 1989 Taif Agreement, seats in Lebanon's parliament are divided equally between Christians and Muslims.

Why it matters: Lebanon is one of the few Middle Eastern countries where Christians hold an equal share of political power. The Patriarch's pledge that Orthodox Christians will stay, amid war and displacement, bears directly on the future of Christian presence and freedom of religion or belief in the region.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Orthodox Times — Patriarch of Antioch visits Baabda Palace; Al-Hadeel — President Aoun receives Patriarch John X

Photo: Orthodox Times