Syrian Christian denominations that follow the Western calendar celebrate Easter

DAMASCUS, April.17, (ST)- The Christian denominations in Syria that follow the Western calendar on Sunday celebrated Easter by holding prayers and masses at the churches and places of worship, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

 

A religious mass was held at the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchal Cathedral of the Dormition of Our Lady in al-Zeitoun neighborhood in Damascus. It was presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef al-Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All East of the Melkite Greek Catholics.

 

“If our personal faith has not changed our lives towards a better humanitarian life, then it is difficult for us to transfer this faith to those who come after us, since the resurrection of Jesus Christ was to endow us with a new and immortal life with Almighty God, so we must believe first since the resurrection is the compass that determines our behavior on earth and that it instills joy, forgiveness, hope and peace in our hearts,” Patriarch Al-Absi said in his speech.

 

Al-Absi added :”We believe that life will bloom thanks to the solid faith, resilience and amity of the Syrian people…. The unjust sanctions will be lifted and difficulties will be overcome and Syria will recover.”

 

“Today, we end our fasting, and after a week our Orthodox brothers will end their fasting and after two weeks our Muslim brothers will end their fasting. So we ask God to accept everyone’s fasting, and spread peace in our region and the whole world.” Al-Absi stated.

 

He concluded his speech by praying to God to protect Syria, its people, its army and its leader, and to have mercy on its martyrs.

 

Basma Qaddour