Patriarch of Antioch calls to stop violence against Syrian Christians
The Orthodox Church of Antioch has published a statement amid protests in Damascus and an incident involving an attack on Christians in Hama province.
The Antiochian Patriarchate issued a statement calling on Syrian authorities to stop violence against Christians and ensure the safety of believers.
The appeal came amid escalating tensions in Hama province. The incident occurred in the city of As-Suqaylabiyah, where, according to reports, two Muslims harassed local Christian girls. After Orthodox youth intervened, a fight broke out during which one of the attackers threatened with a grenade. Later, as witnesses claim, the attackers returned with security force representatives, after which several Christians were detained, while the actions of the conflict instigators received no assessment. Against the backdrop of these events, a protest by the Orthodox community took place in Damascus near the Antiochian Patriarchate building, requesting protection.
In its statement, the Patriarchate reported that on this day the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos in As-Suqaylabiyah came under fire, and acts of violence and intimidation against Christians were also recorded.
"The Patriarchate strongly condemns, in the harshest terms, what has happened and continues to happen. It denounces and deplores the incidents affecting the Christian community. These incidents are often justified by being labeled as “individual acts,” though this is not necessarily the case. It calls on the relevant authorities to deal firmly with anyone who undermines civil peace and not to overlook the recurring events," the statement reads.
The document also emphasizes the need for an official investigation with bringing the guilty to justice and preventing the recurrence of such incidents. The Patriarchate demanded that it be officially notified of the investigation results.
"This comes in response to incidents that are intended to stir sectarian tensions, tensions from which Syria has historically been spared. It also calls for compensation for those who have suffered material damages. It also calls for the implementation of measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, with the State, through its official institutions alone, assuming full responsibility for maintaining civil peace, including the control of unlicensed weapons," the Antiochian Patriarchate added and called for an end to bloodshed, stating: "Enough bloodshed in Syria."
As the UOJ wrote, earlier the Patriarch of Antioch declared: The Middle East is the land of Christians, we will not leave it.
