A Decade and Two Years Since the Abduction of the Bishops of Aleppo
Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
A Decade and Two Years Since the Abduction of the Bishops of Aleppo
Dear brethren and spiritual children,
Since the kidnapping of the Bishops of Aleppo, Boulos Yazigi and Youhanna Ibrahim, on April 22, 2013, the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox Patriarchates of Antioch and All the East have spared no effort in following up on this sensitive and complex issue. Communication has been made at all levels with the aim of freeing the bishops and uncovering the circumstances and aftermaths of the abduction, as this case constitutes a fundamental matter for both churches and all Eastern Christians, as it reflects part of the suffering of the Eastern human being in facing the challenges of remaining in their land.
Since the incident, both churches have tirelessly worked to uncover the mysteries of this case. The file has been presented at the highest ecclesiastical levels and with local and international officials, as well as at the level of embassies, governments, relevant ministries, and regional and international security agencies. This case has also been brought up to heads of states and kings in the region and the world, including major powers, through diplomatic avenues and security channels, without achieving any tangible results.
Over twelve years, the case has been raised repeatedly with many parties, including Syria, Lebanon, Türkiye, Jordan, as well as countries like Cyprus, Greece, and Italy. It has also been addressed to the Vatican, Russia, and the United States. However, we reached no result, and no clear and certain outcomes.
Over the twelve years, both churches have urged all media and social media to handle this file responsibly and not to trade it in the arena of political conflicts and media competition.
In the glorious season of Pascha and the radiant Resurrection of Christ, in a time of hope that cannot be bereft from hearts, despite all wounds, the Church of Antioch prays, works, and places this file at the forefront of its concerns, asking God with the heartfelt prayers of its children for the kidnapped bishops, whose case embodies the case of every kidnapped and distressed person and abridges a small part of the cross of this East that seeks the dawn of Resurrection.
Damascus, April 22, 2025
Ignatius Aphrem II
Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church
John X
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
This Statement was published on the Facebook page of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.