about the latest developments and changes that Syria is experiencing

Upon his return to the Patriarchate’s headquarters in Damascus after cutting short his apostolic visit to India, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, held an online meeting with their Eminences the Archbishops of the Syriac Orthodox Archdioceses in Syria and the Patriarchal Departments, on the evening of Thursday December 12, 2024, to discuss the latest developments and changes that our country Syria is currently experiencing. The meeting started with a prayer for Syria and for all its people. The Church Fathers then discussed the security situation in the country, and the results of the meetings of their Eminences the Archbishops in Damascus, Homs and Aleppo, as well as priests in various parishes, with the representatives of the leadership of the Syrian revolution, including politicians, military officials, clerics and others.

Following the meeting, the Patriarchate issued a statement which you can read it by clicking here.

Damascus – December 12, 2024

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 6-7)

Upon his return to the Patriarchate’s headquarters in Damascus after cutting short his apostolic visit to India, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II held an online meeting with their Eminences the Archbishops of the Syriac Orthodox Archdioceses in Syria and the Patriarchal Departments, on the evening of Thursday December 12, 2024, to discuss the latest developments and changes that our country Syria is currently experiencing. The meeting started with a prayer for Syria and for all its people. The Church Fathers then discussed the security situation in the country, and the results of the meetings of their Eminences the Archbishops in Damascus, Homs and Aleppo, as well as priests in various parishes, with the representatives of the leadership of the Syrian revolution, including politicians, military officials, clerics and others…

On December 9, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Athanasius Cathedral in the Patriarchal Center in Puthencruz, on the occasion of the 40 day memorial of the departure of the late lanmented Catholicos Mor Baselius Thomas I.

Lk 3:10-18

On this third Sunday of Advent, we are confronted with the figure of John the Baptist.

The passage from Luke's Gospel that we read today (Lk 3:10-18) describes to us not so much the character of the Baptist, but rather the movement that arises among the people when he begins to proclaim the Word of God that had come down to him in the desert (“The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness” - Luke 3,2).

At the center of this episode is a question that appears three times: “What should we do?” (Lk 3:10,12,14).

John is asked this question by very different groups of people who lead different lives and whose styles are far removed from one another: there are crowds, there are tax collectors and there are soldiers who all ask the same question: What should we do?

In his message for the 58th World Day of Peace marked on 1 January, His Holiness Pope Francis reflects on the central theme of the upcoming Jubilee of Hope and reiterates his pressing appeal for debt forgiveness, reminding us that we are all “debtors” to God and one another.

By Lisa Zengarini

Hope has been a constant theme in all of His Holiness Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace messages. This is all the more true in his message for the 58th World Day of Peace, which will be marked on 1 January 2025, as the Church begins the Jubilee of Hope amid an unprecedented combination of challenges facing the world today.

On the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Pope prays for a solution in Syria that “responsibly promotes the stability and unity of the country.”

By Kielce Gussie

In the wake of an escalation of violence in Syria and the fall of the Assad regime, His Holiness Pope Francis said he follows “every day what is happening” in the country. During his weekly General Audience, he spoke of the “delicate moment” in the country’s history and prayed for peace and security for its people.

World Council of Churches General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay called for prayers and support for Syrians undergoing profound and unforeseen changes. 

“In this time of mixed uncertainty and hope, the WCC calls all its member churches and ecumenical partners to join in prayer and Christian solidarity with the churches and people of Syria as they navigate their course through this transition,” Pillay said. “The Syrian people have endured more than a decade of war, displacement, and loss through the devastating armed conflict that followed the brutal suppression of peaceful protests in 2011.”

In the intervening years, Pillay noted, over 580,000 lives have been lost, 13 million Syrians have been displaced, and 154,000 individuals have faced arbitrary detention or enforced disappearance - including two Archbishops of Aleppo, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Boulos Yazigi, who were kidnapped by gunmen in April 2013. 

"We need to stand together, coordinate, and work to stand by our children in this difficult time"

December 10, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, made several phone calls to His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, and His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Absi, Patriarch of the Greek Catholic Church, in the context of the latest events is happening in Syria. The three patriarchs stressed the need to unite efforts and coordinate in order to stand by their children in the even of what is happening in Syria. The patriarchs stressed the importance of preserving the Christian component and the values of citizenship and coexistence.

"I convey to you the solidarity of the World Council of Churches amidst the events in Syria"

Damascus, December 10, 2024

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, addressed a message of solidarity to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, conveying feelings of love and solidarity from the World Council of Churches towards the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East and all the churches in Syria. Dr Pillay’s message addressed the historic Christian presence in Syria and communicated prayers to the Lord of Peace that He may instill peace in all hearts.

Damascus, December 10, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, received a message of solidarity from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Bucharest and All Romania. The Romanian Patriarch expressed the Romanian Church’s support for the Antiochian Church in the context of the events taking place in Syria. His Beatitude affirmed that the Romanian Church raises prayers to the Merciful Lord to establish the Christians of this country in faith and hope.

"We join you in prayer and stand by our brothers in the Antiochian Church"

Damascus, December 10, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, received a phone call from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Sofia and All Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Patriarch expressed the Bulgarian Church's support for the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in the event of the developments taking place in the Middle East and in Syria. He stressed that the Bulgarian Church prays for God to send the spirit of peace to all hearts. For his part, Patriarch John thanked Patriarch Daniel for his fraternal stance, stressing the fraternal relations that bind the two churches and the Christian presence in the Middle East.

"We pray to Almighty God to establish peace in Syria"

Damascus, December 10, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, expressed fraternal solidarity with His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, in the context of the events taking place in the region. His Holiness expressed himself during a phone call with Patriarch John X. His Holiness affirmed that the Church of Constantinople stands by the Church of Antioch in this difficult time and asks the Almighty God to send His spirit of peace to the hearts of mankind. For his part, His Beatitude John thanked His Holiness for his solidarity and sincere feelings, stressing the deep bonds that unite the two Churches.

"We pray fervently to the Lord God to strengthen and comfort you"

Damascus, December 9, 2024

The Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine, His Beatitude Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III addressed a fraternal letter to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family. His Beatitude Theophilos expressed support and solidarity with the Antiochian Church during the current events in Syria. His Beatitude also asserted that the Church of Jerusalem stands by the Syrian people and the Antiochian Patriarchate, praying to the Lord God "to strengthen and comfort you."

Damascus, December 9, 2024

Social media and newly created pages are circulating many news, especially regarding the ecclesiastical situation in Syria.

We call our children to draw news from its official source - the page of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.

Damascus, December 9, 2024

"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved."

Syria has always been, and continues to be, a country honored by God as the cradle of His divine messages and the land that embraced the footsteps of His messengers and prophets, despite the many historical eras it has endured. Today, it stands at a new crossroads in its history, looking towards a bright future aspired by every Syrian—a future that reflects Syria's identity as a land of civilization and the cradle of history.

This phase requires wisdom, solidarity, and concerted efforts. Above all, it demands trust in God and reliance on Him, seeking His mercy and the wisdom of His providence to remain steadfast in the love of the homeland and the preservation of its people's dignity.

‏On December 8, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches presided over the Holy Regional Synod in India.

On December 8, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Georges Cathedral in Malecuriz Dayro in Kerala.

The feast of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine the All-wise was celebrated in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Sunday, November 25 / December 8, 2024.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Saturday, November 24 / December 7, 2024, His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, visited the Holy Monastery of the Cross, accompanied by the Elder Chief-Secretary His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, the professor Mr Phaedon Kydoniatis and Archimandrite Bartholomew.

On December 4, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches presided over the meeting of their Eminences the Archbishops of the Syriac Orthodox Archdioceses in Europe along with representatives of the councils, at Mor Jacob of Serough Monastery in Warburg - Germany.