In a rare scene in which tears are mixed with joy, and pain with praise, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Homs witnessed on June 6, 2026, an extraordinary event that will remain etched in the memory of the Syrian Church, as Deacon Johnny Fouad Al-Daoud was elevated to the priestly rank by placing the hand of the Syriac Catholic Pastor of the Diocese of Homs, Hama and Al-Nabek, Bishop Mar Julian Yacoub Murad.

This ordination was not just a traditional ecclesiastical celebration, but rather a declaration of the triumph of life over death, of hope over despair. The new priest is the man who was kidnapped and spent nearly ten years in captivity, before returning by the grace of God to his family, church and homeland, bearing a living testimony to the unbreakable power of faith in the face of adversity.

Amid a large ecclesiastical, official and popular presence, Syriac hymns were sung and bells were ringed, while the eyes of those present were filled with tears of joy as they witnessed a rare human and spiritual journey culminating at the altar.

Bishop Murad: The priesthood is an invitation to giving, not to oneself

In his moving homily titled, "The Holy Spirit Calls You to be a Priest in the Holy Church of God," Bishop Murad emphasized that the priesthood is a divine vocation that is lived for others, not for oneself.

He turned to Father Johnny, saying: "God is calling you today to dedicate your life to the service of the Gospel, after years of your life you have already given a witness to the homeland and to faith in the plight of cruel families whose depth can only be understood by those who have lived through it."

The Cross of Waiting: Bishop Murad remembered his wife Stella, his son Jack and his family, who carried the Cross of Waiting and Pain with him with unwavering faith, considering that what the family experienced throughout the years of absence constitutes a rare testimony of hope that amazes humans and angels.

Pastoral priorities: The Bishop stressed that the priest is called to be an image of Christ the Good Shepherd, and recommended the new priest to five basic priorities: caring for families, catechism, liturgical life, strengthening priestly communion, and maintaining continuous spiritual formation.

Papal ambassador to Radio Mary: Ten years of captivity was a "new birth"

On his first visit to Homs since assuming his duties as papal ambassador to Syria, Bishop Luigi Roberto Cone made a special presence at the celebration. In an exclusive interview with "Radio Mary", the papal ambassador expressed his deep joy at his presence in Homs, conveying the blessing and love of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, and stressing the constant closeness of the Vatican City and the Church to the people of Syria who seek peace.

The Pontifical Nuncio praised the longevity of the Christian faith in Syria, calling on the faithful to be a living spirit for their homeland through love, openness and reliance on the grace of God.

He addressed Father Johnny with touching words over the radio, considering that the ten years he lived in captivity were not in vain, but rather a "new birth", calling on him to carry in his pastoral ministry the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, and to be a living witness to the power of love that triumphs over pain.

Father Johnny Daoud: This is the joy of a whole family that brought hope with me

In his first and emotional speech after the ordination, Father Johnny Daoud expressed his deep gratitude to all those who contributed to the formation of his priestly vocation from its beginnings, recalling the loyalty of the patriarchs, bishops and priests who accompanied him in his spiritual and scientific journey. He also thanked his fellow priests in the diocese, and his godfather Al-Khor, Bishop Michel Noman, whom he described as a loving father and faithful support.

At the end of the ceremony, the message of His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, who gave Father Johnny David his paternal apostolic blessing, congratulated him on the grace of the priesthood after many years of suffering and patience, and stressing that God who had preserved him in the midst of trials calls him today to be a faithful servant of the Gospel of hope and peace.

A living testimony to hope

Thus, the ordination of Father Johnny David, from Rome to Homs, became more than just an ecclesiastical event; it became a new message of hope and a living testimony that God is able to turn years of captivity into a message, pain into grace, and waiting into joy. It is the story of a priest who returned from the depths of the ordeal to stand before the altar, not carrying the memories of the dark captivity, but with the healing message of forgiveness, to proclaim with the whole Church that the light of the resurrection is stronger than all darkness.