At the house of condolences and hope in Balamand

On July 10, 2025 a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), representing the Executive Committee, left for the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand in northern Lebanon, to convey condolences to His Beatitude Patriarch John Yazigi, Patriarch of the Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox, marking the martyrdom of church members following the bloody and the terrorist bombing that took place at Mar Elias Church in Douweila, Damascus.

I point out the date July 10 because it marks the Feast of the Martyrs of Damascus, who were martyred in 1860 in Damascus following the perpetration of acts exuding hatred by armed militants against Christians living there. The late Pope Francis canonized them in their capacity as martyrs of the Church in October 2024.Their relics were placed in the Church of the Baptism of Lord Jesus Christ at the Baptism Site during a ceremony held in January 2025.

With this meeting taking place on July 10--the day the Church commemorates these new martyrs and their first feast following their canonization—we remark a major relationship among the two martyrdoms, the anniversary itself, and what took place a few days ago at St. Elias Church in Damascus. It is also a source of pride that on that day, the Orthodox Patriarchate's page published His Majesty the King's condolences message, posted alongside his photo, and extended on behalf of Jordan's extended family, which states: “Your Beatitude, dear brother John X Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Orthodox, may God protect you. With deep sadness, I received the news of the terrorist attack that targeted St. Elias Church in Damascus, claiming the lives of innocent civilians and injuring others. In my name and on behalf of the people and government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, I express to you our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy in the face of this painful tragedy. I reaffirm Jordan’s firm rejection of all forms of terrorism and extremism. I pray to Almighty God to grant mercy to the victims, to bestow comfort and patience upon you and their families, and to bless the injured with a swift recovery.” The patriarch mentioned this during the gathering of church representatives, saying, "I express my pride in the message which I have received from His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein."

The patriarch's address reflected sadness while exuding sorrow and worry. This is his legitimate right, because the Syrian people have yearned, particularly at this time, to enjoy a peaceful, democratic life in which constructive citizenship and equality in rights and duties serve  as the bases for Syria's new future. However, the heinous terrorist act that occurred in one of Damascus' ancient churches has pained everyone, instilled anxiety anew, and raised several thrilling questions, namely: Is this what we truly look for? Will the new history of Damascus and Syria truly be written with the blood of innocent martyrs?

The Patriarch received numerous visits in addition to expressions of condolences and solidarity from various religions and church representatives, including heads of state and diplomatic missions in Lebanon and Syria. As we were listening to him, his sad tone revealed how bleak the future is, and how it is fatal to think that what happened would, God forbid, take place another time anywhere in our beloved Syria, whereby despite the political storms that have rocked it, it has always been a symbol of Islamic-Christian brotherhood, a symbol of respect for religious freedom, as well as freedom to practise religious rites. We all remember how the processions marking Christmas, the Feast of the Resurrection, and Palm Sunday would tour the streets of Damascus, Aleppo, and the entire streets of Syria, accompanied by scout music with people feeling pride in being Christian Syrians.

We need not have negative thinking about Syria's future with regards to religious affairs, but we call on decision-makers in this sister country to recognize Syria's historic and honorable heritage with regards to respecting religions, especially since it was in Syrian Antioch that followers of Christ were first referred to as Christians since the first century AD. We do not want Syria to be emptied of Christians, God forbid. We rather want them to continue their mission of benevolence and affiliation, as well as be pride in the soil of their country and their old Christian faith.

At the historic Balamand summit,  in my capacity as a representative of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and being in the MECC Executive Committee which was established half a century ago, I addressed His Beatitude the bereaved Patriarch-- whose brother, Bishop Paul Yazigi, was kidnapped 12 years ago, and whose fate is still unknown, along with the Syriac Bishop Youhanna Ibrahim, saying, "We receive daily messages expressing concern for our brethren in Syria, saying, 'help us leave because we want to start a new life away from violence, particularly after the bombing of St. Elias Church.' I conveyed to him our great concern for our apprehensive and fearful brethren. How do we respond in this case, your Beatitude? Are there guarantees that the future of Syria will not unfold such acts engulfed with hatred?

 Of course, there is no answer to these queries at this moment. Yet, at the end of the meeting, everyone sang the hymn of hope, Lord Jesus rose from the dead, as a sign of confidence that there is a Lord Who guides the universe and He is the first shepherd regarding all that is happening in this sad and somber East, which looks forward to days of reconciliation, peace, and common living that reflects authenticity and beauty, while the identity of the East has always been united under a sublime plurality.

We hope that sister Syria will fulfill its journey of reconstruction, associated with respect for all its components.

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