CWN - On the eve of the Geneva II Middle East peace conference, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church pleaded for peace in Syria and urged the nations taking part in the conference to protect the religious freedom of Christians there.

“Security and religious freedom of Christians, who have lived in the Middle East for over two thousand years and who are an integral part of the Syrian society, must be ensured along with the security and religious freedom of all other citizens,” said Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow.

“As the first and foremost step towards peace and stability, the hostages must be released and the desecration of religious shrines and objects of historical and cultural heritage must be stopped,” he continued. “So far, nothing has been known about the fate of two Christian hierarchs – Metropolitans Paul and Youhanna Ibrahim – who were abducted near Aleppo in April 2013. The mother superior and sisters of the Convent of St. Thecla in Maalula are still held captive. Their immediate release will be visible evidence that the opposition is ready to work in the search for peace and accord in the Syrian land.”