His Beatitude Patriarch John X: We will not sink in fear and darkness because we are the children of light and not the children of darkness

As part of his visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo, Alexandretta and Dependencies, with the beginning of Lent, and after the earthquake that hit the area, His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox family, was accompanied by the Archdiocese Bishop His Eminence Metropolitan Ephraim Maalouli and the Governor of Aleppo Hussein Diab, in a meeting at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Saint Elias. They met representatives of parties, institutions, relief work committees, associations and volunteers who worked to support the affected people by the earthquake disaster.

His Beatitude delivered a speech in which he expressed to the audience love and condolence. He said “It is more blessed to give than receive, and you gave the world a lesson through giving and devotion. The efforts made by each one of you proved that the storm of the harsh earthquake was replaced by the storm of love showed by the archdiocese through solidarity and support, acts of love and service to its people.”

His Beatitude added, "The work that you have made spreads joy and hope in souls, despite the pain we feel in front of the people who are suffering and lost what they owned due to the earthquake." He also explained that the Church always support people and put all its efforts so that all of them, without discrimination between one sect and another, can live in dignity. Moreover, he denounced the economic sanctions imposed on Syria, describing them as "a shameful act against humanity."

His Beatitude affirmed that Aleppo will recover just as it recovered from the long years of war, and mentioned that the Church follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, who taught us not to be afraid, for we do not sink in fear and darkness because we are the children of light and not the children of darkness.

As well as, His Beatitude listened to a detailed explanation from representatives of parties, institutions, relief work committees, associations and volunteers about what they provided to support the affected people since the first moment of the earthquake till this moment.

From his end, the Middle East Council of Churches, represented by the Director of the MECC Service and Relief Department - Diakonia Department, Eng. Samer Laham, affirmed that MECC works to serve all Churches and through their blessings. He thanked His Eminence Metropolitan Ephraim Maalouli for hosting the meeting of the Ecumenical Committee for Relief with the Heads of the Sects in Aleppo and other supportive organizations. Noting that the meeting was held at the Saint Elias Church on the 27th of February, aiming at coordinating relief work to prevent gaps in response and funding.

He stressed that any MECC work will be implemented under the guidance of His Beatitude as MECC President, in order to enhance the Council's service in disaster response and relief, explaining that MECC work will be done in coordination with various parties and institutions so that it guarantees success. MECC has partners from Western Churches and international partners, and all of them are confident in the MECC field work...

To His Beatitude, we say that You are working to lead this Council as a President, shepherd and inspirational person, and we ask God’s blessing to the MECC service, "the ecumenical work that we are doing today shows the West that we are able to work together with one spirit and one hand. In this affliction, there is no place for competition between organizations, but rather everyone is complete with each other, as there are a lot of needs, not only in Aleppo, but also in other places in Syria, and accordingly, work must be coordinated with all parties and organizations working on the field.”

His Eminence Metropolitan Ephraim Maalouli, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo and Alexandretta and Dependencies, assured that "His Beatitude's visit to Aleppo is the father's visit to his family, and when the father is with his family, its strength will be increased. We have felt the Parish’ strength during the past days, and today, with His Beatitude, we are getting stronger.”

He emphasized that despite the pain that His Beatitude feels due to the earthquake that also struck Antioch and Alexandretta, he did not forget his Parish in Aleppo and came to comfort us. Hence, this gives us strength to overcome all difficulties. Just as the Lord said to His disciples, "Do not be afraid," His Beatitude told us today, and we hope to keep holding on to this strength, and our support remains in thw Lord Jesus Christ.

At the end of the meeting, His Beatitude Patriarch John X and His Eminence Metropolitan Ephraim Maalouli went with the audience to the Archdiocese Church to participate in the Prayers Before Sleep.