Words of reflection after the events in Ma’alula
4-7 September 2013
The events in Ma’alula represent an encroachment on the holiest and oldest Christian sites, on Christian heritage and the cradle of Christianity.
Each shell aimed at Ma’alula and Syria falls on:
- Sacred sites
- Saint Paul
- Saint Thecla
- The martyrs
- Saint Marun
- Four thousand Christians
- The first Christian church dating back two thousand years
- Christian heritage
- Saint Symeon
- Early Christian memory
- The place where Saint Paul sojourned three years
- Saint Sergius (Rasafa)
- Daniel the Stylite
- Moses the Abyssinian
- Saint James the Mutilated
- Ananias
The attack on Ma’alula is an attack on the holiest Christian sites and heritage, the cradle of Christianity.
So let’s go, not to the bitter end, but to the better end!
We can forgive everyone who caused the events – even the victims, abducted and wounded – in Ma’alula – but we say to everyone: Enough is enough! Enough is enough! Enough is enough!
Appeal of His
Beatitude Gregorios III
Damascus 09/09/13
Peace for Maalula
That the residents of Maalula be
able to return to their town before September 14, Feast of the Elevation of the
Cross, is a demand Christians make of their Muslim brothers: I appeal to world
opinion and all parties.
It will be a symbol that Syria is
capable of love, reconciliation, dialogue and walking together and building
together.
It will renew my faith in Syria’s
spiritual heritage to the world: if every effort is made in solidarity in order
to return the people to Maalula before the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross.
And I’ll be leading them in prayers and devotional hymns as they return home. First
we’ll visit the churches, and then go to our homes.
I will be fasting all this week
for this intention.
I hope to join many in a day of
fasting and prayer in churches and homes. Indeed, I call on everyone to work
for the return of all categories of people to Maalula, people of every shade of
opinion whatsoever.
If we are all working for the people
of Maalula to return, it means that we are all, despite blood, victims and
tragedies, able to love and encourage hope in people’s hearts and foster reconciliation,
forgiveness and dialogue among all citizens. We will set a wonderful example
for the whole world….
That would be a victory for the
sacred values of faith, for Christians and Muslims.
Long live love!
Long live faith!
Long live hope!
Long live Maalula!
Long live love in Syria!
+ Gregorios III
Patriarch of Antioch and All the East,
of Alexandria and of Jerusalem