MECC Contributes in Its Restoration in Cooperation with “Kerk in Actie”

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, inaugurated, in the presence of a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches, the Monastery of St. Antonios in the Wilderness of Sadad. His Holiness also consecrated St. Antonios Church at the Monastery. The ceremony took place on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

During the consecration, His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Patriarchal Advisor, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates, Mor Boutros Kassis, Archbishop of Aleppo and Environs, Mor Yacoub Babawi, Patriarchal Vicar for the Affairs of Monks and the Administration of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Augeen Al Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, Bishop Mor Iwannis Boulos Al-Souqi, and Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Damascus Armash Nalbandian.

The war in Syria has forced thousands of young people to travel in search of a better life, leaving behind them elderly parents who require care and attention. This has increased the number of elderlies in need of someone to provide them with the necessary care and support. Hence, the Middle East Council of Churches and the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate in Syria have undertaken the restoration of the Al-Rahmeh home for elderly as part of the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria” that is implemented by MECC in cooperation with “Kerk in Actie” (KIA) organization in the Netherlands.

Stemming from the belief that education is the foundation of peace and security in the world, the Middle East Council of Churches in cooperation with “Kerk in Actie” organization in the Netherlands, rehabilitated “Dar Al Salam” school in Aleppo, Syria, within the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria”. A program that aims to restore what was damaged by the war so that hope can revive in the lives of people who are an essential part of their Church. The number of beneficiaries of the school's restoration is approximately 500 students, teachers, and administrators.

Here the Voice of Hope Rises Against War and Destruction

Whoever visits Aleppo and walks in its streets can notice the wars’ repercussions in this city, and can even hear its groaning and pain. But amidst all the destruction, we can witness the determination of Aleppo’s people to restore their city and lives as it was before the war. In fact, they are seeking God’s help, believing in His power and support to rebuild what was destroyed by the Evil’s hands and war.

The Middle East Council of Churches and “Kerk in Actie” organization in the Netherlands supported the Syrians and Aleppo’s people within the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria”. A program which aims to restore what was damaged by the war so that hope can revive in the lives of people who are essential part of their Church.

A Field Tour Held by MECC and “Kerk in Actie” in the Netherlands Delegation

Eleven years have passed since the outbreak of the severe war in Syria which have took the lives of thousands of Syrians. Not only people have been affected but also stones and buildings. The war has caused massive damage in infrastructure and impacted the economy. As well as, house, religious, educational and medical institutions have been destructed.

If stones in Syria could speak, it would talk about a history and civilization which goes back thousands of years, witnessing for a Christianity which was spread from this country to the world.

Amidst this deepening human crisis, the Church's first challenge was to shine a light in the darkness and sorrow hope in the midst of despair.

Rehabilitation of the St. Elias Home for Elderly in Aleppo

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches presents a video about the restoration and rehabilitation work implemented in the St. Elias Home for Elderly in Aleppo, which came back to life again. The project is within the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria” program implemented by MECC in cooperation with Kerk in Actie in Netherlands, in various Syrian governorates. The video was prepared and filmed by the Middle East Council of Churches in Syria.

You can find a video prepared by the Middle East Council of Churches in Syria shedding light on the reconstruction work at the Private Secondary School of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Aleppo, Syria. The school was restored and rehabilitated within the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria” program implemented by MECC in cooperation with Kerk in Actie in Netherlands, in various Syrian governorates.

Rehabilitation work at Al Rahma Home for Elderly in Aleppo has ended and life has been back to it once again. This process came within the “Restoration of Faith –Based Social Services and Religious Infrastructure that were affected by the Syrian crisis” program, which is implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches and Kerk in Actie in Netherlands, in various Syrian governorates.

The Syrian war cast its shadow over all the aspects of life. Thus aiming at bringing life back to Churches, restoration work at St. Paul's Church in the city of Darayya, in Rural Damascus has been completed.

Within the “Restoration of Faith Based Social Services and Religious Infrastructure that were affected by the Syrian crisis” program that is launched by the Middle East Council of Churches in cooperation with Kerk in Actie in Netherlands, in various Syrian governorates, the rehabilitation work is now completed in St. George Monastery.

The restoration of St. Elias center for elderly was completed. The Care Home was rehabilitated by MECC in cooperation with Kerk in Actie organization in Netherlands within the rehabilitation program that works on the restoration of social and religious establishments affected by Syrian crisis.

The "Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria" Program

Reaps the Fruits of its First Phase

A Field Tour in the Restored Projects

A year has passed since the Middle East Council of Churches launched the "Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria" with the support of the international organization Kerk in Actie. The first phase of the program ended and the Churches and their affiliated institutions got back to life after the restoration and rehabilitation works have been finished.

Survived Destruction and Got Back to Life

The restoration activities have been completed in Lady of Annunciation Church affiliated to the Latin Church in Aleppo Governorate. The activities included the basement of the Church, which will be used to implement programs and projects aiming at serving and developing the local community in Aleppo.

Believing that education and knowledge are the optimal solution for rebuilding society, MECC rehabilitated classrooms for students in addition to vocational training halls to train and enable youth to enter the labor market.

Gets Over the Repercussions of War

MECC ended the restoration activities in the Private Syrian Secondary School in Aleppo, which affiliates to the Armenian Orthodox Church.

MECC in cooperation with “Churches Together” organization in Netherlands is rehabilitating religious and social establishments that were damaged by Syrian war.

«El Hogar de Ancianos Mar Elías» se sacude el polvo de la guerra

Jean, de 68 años, camina por la residencia de ancianos Mar Elías con la ayuda de su muleta. Está revisando el lugar que abandonó hace unos diez años escapando de los fuertes bombardeos durante la guerra en Alepo. Se sentó en una silla a la sombra de un gran árbol en el patio de la residencia y comenzó a contar sus recuerdos con otros ancianos que solían vivir aquí antes de abandonar el lugar en busca de seguridad.

Mar Elias Home for the Elderly shakes off the dust of war

John, 68 years old, walks around Mar Elias Care Home for the Elderly with the help of his crutch. He is checking the place he left about ten years ago escaping the heavy shelling during war in Aleppo. He sat on a chair in the shade of a large tree in the yard of the Care Home and started recounting his memories with other old people who used to live here before leaving the place in a search for safety.

Restoration work in Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Aleppo changes the story of a long war, as it helps in establishing programs and projects which aims at serving and developing the local community, due to the increase in the number of people in need of assistance after the war.

Suena el timbre de la escuela anunciando el comienzo de las clases. Los alumnos se apresuran a ocupar sus puestos en largas filas alrededor del patio de la escuela. Luego saludan a la bandera y se dirigen a sus aulas. Poco después, las aulas de los edificios que rodean el patio se llenan de estudiantes, excepto un edificio construido con piedras antiguas; este edificio es el más antiguo de la escuela. Permanecerá vacío hasta que finalicen las actividades de rehabilitación y se retiren todos los efectos de la guerra, ya que permaneció en pie a pesar de los bombardeos y las explosiones terroristas durante los años de guerra en Siria.

The school bell rings announcing the start of classes. Students rush to take their places in long rows around the school yard. Then they salute the flag and go to their classrooms. Soon after, the classrooms in the buildings around the yard become busy with students except for one building that is built from old stones; this building is the oldest in the school. It will remain empty until the completion of the rehabilitation activities and the removal of all war effects as it remained standing despite the shelling and terrorist explosions during the years of Syrian war.

Those who walk in the streets of Aleppo can notice the impact of war on the City. Amidst all this destruction and amidst the war that has not ended yet, one can notice the strong determination of the population to restore their country and life with the help of GOD believing that His strength will support them to rebuild all that was destroyed by the hand of evil and war.