Patriarch Lahham : Terrorists Destroyed Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus

BEIRUT,(ST)_ Patriarch Gregorios III Laham , Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for Roman Catholics  warned against the  situation  in Maloula  town, noting horrible news on acts of sabotage affected , in particular, the Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus .

During a Mass he  chaired  yesterday at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Harissa , Lahham said  that  “the acts of sabotage  targeted a  shrine that  dates back to the fourth century and  rare oriental icons  and the terrorists removed the cross from Dome of the monastery and its two  bells  and  tried to dismantle the statue of Virgin Mary supervising  the town  ,” adding  that   after destroying  the historical monument, terrorists  entered houses and asked some people to declare their Islam or leave , otherwise they will be punished ” .

“Our monuments , history , holy places and historical homes, holy icons,  families and our youth , women , men and children are all threatened .” Patriarch Lahham stressed.

He appealed to the conscience of the world its rulers , saying ” Save Syria .. Save Maloula .. Save our heritage and civilization and the people of  Maloula who still speak Aramaic , the language of Jesus Christ .”

Patriarch  Lahham added  ” Save the love that is still bringing together  the   people  of  Maloula,  Christians and Muslims , and also all  the people  of Syria , in spite of the tragedies that worsen every day , with the knowledge that the majority of Muslims in Maloula denounce this terror.”

T. Fateh