Attacks on Ma'aloula: From Patriarch Gregorios in Antioch

Words of reflection after the events in Ma'alula


4-7 September 2013

The events in Ma’alula represent an encroachment on the holiest and oldest Christian sites, on Christian heritage and the cradle of Christianity.

Each shell aimed at Ma’alula and Syria falls on:

• Sacred sites
• Saint Paul
• Saint Thecla
• The martyrs
• Saint Marun
• Four thousand Christians
• The first Christian church dating back two thousand years
• Christian heritage
• Saint Symeon
• Early Christian memory
• The place where Saint Paul sojourned three years
• Saint Sergius (Rasafa)
• Daniel the Stylite
• Moses the Abyssinian
• Saint James the Mutilated
• Ananias

The attack on Ma’alula is an attack on the holiest Christian sites and heritage, the cradle of Christianity.

 

So let’s go, not to the bitter end, but to the better end!

We can forgive everyone who caused the events - even the victims, abducted and wounded - in Ma’alula - but we say to everyone: Enough is enough! Enough is enough! Enough is enough!

 

Appeal of His Beatitude Gregorios III

Damascus 09/09/13                                                                                                                                                                

Peace for Maalula

That the residents of Maalula be able to return to their town before September 14, Feast of the Elevation of the Cross, is a demand Christians make of their Muslim brothers: I appeal to world opinion and all parties.

It will be a symbol that Syria is capable of love, reconciliation, dialogue and walking together and building together.

It will renew my faith in Syria’s spiritual heritage to the world: if every effort is made in solidarity in order to return the people to Maalula before the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross. And I'll be leading them in prayers and devotional hymns as they return home. First we’ll visit the churches, and then go to our homes.

I will be fasting all this week for this intention.

I hope to join many in a day of fasting and prayer in churches and homes. Indeed, I call on everyone to work for the return of all categories of people to Maalula, people of every shade of opinion whatsoever.

If we are all working for the people of Maalula to return, it means that we are all, despite blood, victims and tragedies, able to love and encourage hope in people's hearts and foster reconciliation, forgiveness and dialogue among all citizens. We will set a wonderful example for the whole world....

That would be a victory for the sacred values ​​of faith, for Christians and Muslims.

Long live love!

Long live faith!

Long live hope!

Long live Maalula!

Long live love in Syria!

+ Gregorios III

Patriarch of Antioch and All the East,

of Alexandria and of Jerusalem