Department for External Church Relations
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Patriarchs of three Churches in Syria issue joint statement
DECR Communication Service, 09/03/2025
On March 8th, Patriarchs of three Christian Churches in Damascus issued a joint statement, condemning mass killings of civilians in Syria.
The statement was signed by Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East of the Orthodox Church of Antioch; Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church; and Patriarch Youssef Absi of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. The text of the statement is given below.
“In recent days, Syria has witnessed a dangerous escalation of violence, brutality, and killings, resulting in attacks on innocent civilians, including women and children. Homes have been violated, their sanctity disregarded, and properties looted—scenes that starkly reflect the immense suffering endured by the Syrian people.
“The Christian Churches while strongly condemning any act that threatens civil peace, denounce and condemn the massacres targeting innocent civilians, and call for an immediate end to these horrific acts, which stand in stark opposition to all human and moral values.
“The Churches also call for the swift creation of conditions conducive to achieving national reconciliation among the Syrian people. They urge efforts to establish an environment that facilitates the transition to a state that respects all its citizens and lays the foundation for a society based on equal citizenship and genuine partnership, free from the logic of vengeance and exclusion. At the same time, they reaffirm the unity of Syrian territory and reject any attempts to divide it.
“The Churches call on all concerned parties within Syria to assume their responsibilities, put an end to the violence, and seek peaceful solutions that uphold human dignity and preserve national unity.
“We pray that God may protect Syria and its people and that peace may prevail throughout the land.”
Patriarch
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