After years of absence, a mass held in Mar Elias convent in Homs countryside

Homs, (ST)-Marking the feast of Mar Elias and in the presence of the Governor of Homs Talal Barazi and Secretary of the Homs branch of the Arab Socialist Baath party Omar Houria, a mass was held recently at Mar Elias convent in al-Qseir city in Homs eastern countryside

A special and intensive participation from various Syrian provinces in addition to distinguished participations from outside the country attended the mass.

During the ceremony, the governor of Homs talked about the religious sanctity symbolized by Mar Elias among the various peoples, stressing that the Prophet Mar Elias gives us a model of tolerance and love that characterize the Syrians and the power to defend the truth as the heroes of the Syrian Arab army have done. After more than eight years, he said, that life has returned to the Monastery of Mar Elias thanks to the sons of Syria, who love life and exert continuous efforts to provide all necessary needs to restore the monastery as it was before the years of war, a religious and social destination for all Syrians and Arabs.

Bishop Yohanna Abdo Arbash of Homs, Hama and Yabroud for Rome Catholics led the mass.

He stressed that the return of life to the Monastery of Mar Elias to be an evidence of Syria’s triumph over terrorism and that the Prophet Mar Elias is for all Syrians and their participation in this feast is the true picture of the Syrian social fabric.

The bishop affirmed that security and stability returned back to Syria thanks to the sacrifices of Syrian people and the Syrian army and that the Syrians are all one hand in the fight against terrorism.

It is worth mentioning that during the ceremony, the icon of the monastery was restored after many years of absence. 

Amal Farhat- Homs