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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Damascus 10 May 2012

“We were praying in the cathedral chapel when a strong explosion shattered all the windows. The walls of the nave shuddered as if jolted by a sudden gust of wind; we thought it might be an earthquake.” H.B. Gregorios III Laham, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East is still incredulous, while describing to MISNA the moments of terror that accompanied the double bombing of the Syrian capital this morning. The Cathedral of Bab Sharqi, at the end of the `Via Recta' that leads to the Chapel of Ananias (a Christian martyr who enabled Saint Paul to recover his sight), is perhaps some two or three kilometres from the site of the explosion which up to now, according to a provisional estimate, has killed at least 55 and injured another 300.

“The television showed images of a huge crater, cars and buildings shattered, blood everywhere. The minibus bringing the children to our school had come that way barely 10 minutes before. It is a miracle that they were not involved,” explains the cleric, President of the Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy in Syria, condemning “an act of cruelty without precedent in Syria, which has shown the true face of the forces at work behind this absurd propaganda war.” The Patriarch’s voice, shaking with emotion on the day of the worst attack in the country’s recent history, is also raised against the world that “is not listening to the Syrian people’s cries of distress.”

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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Maronite Archbishopric of Aleppo 25 April 2012

The Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy in Syria held its regular springtime meeting at Aleppo in the headquarters of the Maronite Archbishop on 25 April 2012, chaired by its President, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III. Also taking part were Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III (Younan), Archbishop Mario Zenari, Papal Nuncio to Syria and Catholic bishops in Syria.

The Fathers reviewed the situation in Syria in the light of current painful events. They discussed pastoral problems relating to the life and social mission of the Church in the harsh conditions experienced by some regions of the country. They issued the following report:

1.       We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Syrian people, in seeking a dignified life, national unity, solidarity among all the various social, religious and national constituent groups; in pursuing the widespread, effective reform process that has to be undertaken on the ground, in political, social and cultural spheres and service, through co-ordinating the efforts of all Syrians – government, parties, constructive opposition, specialists – in the framework of national unity and active participation in national dialogue (absolutely indispensable for any reform and without which it would remain but a vain hope), recognizing that this is the best way to escape the cycle of violence and repression. The State has called for dialogue and we invite all national parties at home and abroad to build a new multi-party democratic Syria. We also encourage everyone to participate fully in free and fair elections for the National Assembly on 7 May next, to express the popular will.

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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Prot. No. 237
 

†  BARTHOLOMEW

By the Mercy of God
Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome
and Ecumenical Patriarch

To the Plenitude of the Church

Grace, Peace and Mercy from the Savior Christ, Risen in Glory
 
*   *   *

He became the first-born among the dead.
(Easter Apolytikion, 3rd tone)

 
Beloved children in the Lord,

If Christ’s Resurrection referred to Himself, then its significance for us would be negligible.  The Church proclaims, however, that, the Lord did not arise alone. Together with Himself, He also resurrected all people. This is how our predecessor, St. John Chrysostom, proclaims this great truth in thunderous language: “Christ is risen, and none are left dead in the grave; for in being raised from the dead, he became the first-fruits of all who were asleep.” This means that Christ became the first-fruits of the resurrection of all who have fallen asleep and who will fall asleep in the future, as well as of their transition from death to life. The message is a joyful one for us all because, with His Resurrection Christ abolished the power of death. Those who believe in Him await the resurrection of the dead and are accordingly baptized in His death, rise with Him and live on in life eternal.

The world that is alienated from Christ endeavors to amass material goods because it bases its hopes for survival on them. It unwisely imagines that it will escape death through wealth. Deceived in this way to amass wealth, supposedly to extend their present life, human beings disperse death among others, too. They deny others the financial possibility of survival, often even violently depriving others of life, in the hope of preserving their own life.

How tragic! What a huge deception. For life is only acquired through faith in Christ and incorporation in His body.

The experience of the Orthodox Church assures us that those united with Christ live even after death, coexist with the living, are in dialogue with them, can hear them and are often even capable of miraculously fulfilling their requests.

This means that it is no longer necessary to search for the “fountain of immortality.” Immortality exists in Christ and is offered by Him to all.

There is no need for some nations to be destroyed in order for other nations to survive. Nor is there any need to destroy defenseless human lives so that other human beings may live in greater comfort. Christ offers life to all people, on earth as in heaven. He is risen, and all those who so desire life may follow Him on the way of Resurrection. By contrast, all those who bring about death, whether indirectly or directly, believing that in this way they are prolonging or enhancing their own life, condemn themselves to eternal death.

Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ came into the world in order that all people “may have life and life in abundance” (John 10:10). We deceive ourselves if we believe that prosperity in the world can come from destroying one another. Christ raises the dead and invalidates their killing. Christ has the power to transcend death. Moreover, the fact that he conquered death confirms His contempt of death. Christ leads to life; He re-bestows life, which happens to be interrupted, because He is “our life and our resurrection.” This is why we, the faithful, do not fear death. Our strength lies not in the invulnerability of our existence but in its possibility for resurrection.

Christ is Risen! We, too, shall arise!

Therefore, beloved brethren and children in the Lord, let us follow the Risen Christ in all His works. Let us come to the assistance of those deprived of the means for survival so that their life may be preserved. Let us proclaim to all those who are ignorant of Christ’s Resurrection that, through this, death was abolished and, as a result, they too may share in His Resurrection by believing  in Him and following His way. Our own resurrection is only possible when it is offered for the resurrection of others, of our brothers and sisters. Then alone will the triumphant proclamation that “Christ is Risen!” refer to the salvation for all of humanity. Let it be so!

Holy Pascha 2012

† Bartholomew of Constantinople
Your fervent supplicant for all


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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Damascus 31 March 2012

Patriarch Gregorios III, as President of the Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy in Syria, together with Syrian Catholic and Maronite and Armenian Catholic bishops and Latin Catholic priests, today (31 March) received at the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate in Damascus Mgr. Giampietro Dal Toso, Secretary of the Papal Council Cor Unum accompanied by the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Mario Zenari. Mgr. Dal Toso was delivering one hundred thousand dollars for urgent humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

The sum had beenearmarked by the Pope forimmediate assistance to the Syrian “population exhausted from violence.”

Benedict XVI has also decided to devolvethe collections gathered during Holy Thursday Mass that he will celebrate on the 5^th of April in the basilica of San Giovanni in Lateranoto the humanitarian assistance of Syrian refugees.

The Catholic Churches of Syria are currently engaged, especially through Caritas Syria, and working in the name of the Assembly of Catholic Hierarchy in Syria, in projects of assistance to the Syrian population without distinction on grounds of politics or religion through their charitable branches, in particular in the areas of Damascus, Homs and Aleppo. Cor Unum highlights that"we know the Holy Father's repeated calls for the cessation of violence in Syria and that a way be found for dialogue and reconciliation between the warring parties, with a view to peace and the common good… The Pope,” concludes the Cor Unum text, “exhorts us to pray for those who are suffering in this country."

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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Prot. 141/2012
March 2012

Dear friends:

I have been witnessing the difficult situation of an ever-growing number of people in different localities, especially in the Homs district, in the Damascus suburbs and elsewhere.

That is due to the tragic events that Syria has been experiencing over the last year (March 2011-March 2012). Many have had to leave their towns, villages, houses and estates. We have had refugees in Damascus, in our monasteries and in other localities.

Moved by our pastoral responsibility and by the love of Christ which constrains us, we, with our brother in Christ, H. B. Ignatius IV (Hazim), Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, have formed an emergency committee to help our brothers and sisters in need, without distinction between Muslims and Christians.

We began this activity as early as mid-February 2012. We have already distributed over two thousand parcels, each to the value of $50 worth of food, milk, blankets etc., according to need.

The list of the names of families is growing by the day. Priests and lay-people give us these names. We are receiving local aid from both Christians and Muslims.

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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Beirut March 19 2012

Dear Friends

Back in my patriarchate in Damascus, I thank the Lord for the trip I made across Europe, in which I was able to visit Berlin, Paris, London, Strasbourg, the Vatican and Rome.

I have pleasure in providing an outline of the main topics I shared with you during my visit in March.

1.       Personal initiative as Patriarch

My pilgrimage of peace was a message for peace, reconciliation, conciliation, security, stability, dialogue, calm, wisdom, the discourse of reason and acceptance of others.

My pilgrimage of peace was a completely private initiative, the result of a personal decision. I represent only myself and no-one else. I was not asked to take this step.

I was representing myself and our Church.

So this was a peace pilgrimage based on my position as Patriarch, who is pater et caput – no empty titles, but the expression and translation of my representative position as churchman, Syrian national and person with the conviction of responsibility to his country and Church, persuaded of his solidarity with all his fellow-citizens, not only of Syria, but all Arab countries.

I am responsible before God and my conscience, to my people, the Christian faithful and our Muslim fellow-citizens. The faithful come to me and other bishops and priests every day. We are responsible for all these faithful (350 000 Melkite Greek Catholics out of 2 million Christians in Syria and 800 000 Melkite Greek Catholics in all Arab countries altogether). Our faithful seek my help.

We are witnessing the start of chaos as the events drag on.

If things continue as they are doing, if chaos continues to reign, where will Muslim and Christian Syrians go?  Muslim and Christian Syrians are alike in great danger.