Cross Church dedicates a prayer for Syria peace and abducted bishops

DAMASCUS,(ST)-Holy Cross Church in Damascus held a prayer for Syria peace and the release of the two abducted Aleppo Metropolitans, Mar Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi.

Patriarch John X Yazigy of Antioch and All the East, gave a short speech after the prayer held today (Monday) in which he censured all acts of killing, destruction and abduction.

On April 22,2013, the Syriac Orthodox bishop of Aleppo, Msgr. Youhanna Ibrahim and the Greek-Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo and Iskenderun, Msgr. Boulos al-Yazigi were abducted by Chechen terrorists from al-Nusra Front

The terrorists intercepted the car in which the two bishops were sitting and forced them to get out of it. Then, they killed the deacon driver and abducted the two bishops, who were carrying out humanitarian work in Aleppo countryside

“These acts will never undermine our adherence to co-existence and homeland as well as call for justice,” the patriarch said.

In the name of Syrians, he added, I appeal to the international community to do its utmost to help release the abductees and bring about a solution to the crisis in the country.

He, in addition, cited that Syria’s civilization dates back to thousands of years.

A huge number of Christians, who are living in al-Kassa’a district in the capital, took part in the prayer upon an invitation of the Holly Cross Church.

The Syria Times e-newspaper was there  with a number of participants to discuss what is going on in Syria.

Int’l community believes in interests

Responding to question about reason of targeting clergymen, the famous Syrian writer and novelist, Colette Khoury said: “they (clergymen) support the voice of reason. They know that homeland is a priority. We are all Syrians…. We are Syrian before being Muslims or Christians.”

She added that the international community only believes in its interests. “Its interest is to invade our country… Syria will never be toppled.. it will achieve victory.”

We love Syria

A crowd of participants surrounded us (reporters) in order to say that they want their voice to be heard all over the world through mass media.

They just wanted to say:”we are Syrian citizens ….we love Syria … we-Christians and Muslims- have got used to be hand in hand”.

Syrian inherited thinking  

For his part, the Father Gabriel Daoud told us: “It is known that Syria is the cradle of civilizations and clergymen in our country preserve the Syrian inherited thinking…those who abduct clergymen seek to target this thinking and the Syrian state.”

But, he added, this thinking will never disappear.

He noted the West countries’ double-standard policy and hypocrisy in dealing with all matters.

“The abduction of the two Aleppo bishops is a national matter..Everyone knows the mentality of the two bishops… they were open to all spectra.”

“We don’t rely on the international community to solve matter of abduction…. rather, we rely on our people and self-confidence. The story of abducting the bishops will unmask important issues in the future,” the Father said.

He stressed that political solution will be reached sooner or later, noting that what is going on in Syria is not a civil war.

“Syria is facing a foreign-backed war in which a misled group is taking part”. 

In fact, all Syrian spectra look forward to re-enjoying peace and stability which they missed since the beginning of the crisis in March 2011. 

Basma Qaddour