ASIA/SYRIA - A small 'WYD' in the city of Aleppo
The Vatican-based Fides News Agency carried this story on 2 August:
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On Sunday, July 28, about 850 young Christians belonging to all the Christian communities of the Syrian cities gathered at the Youth Center George and Matilda Salem, animated by the Salesian Fathers in the district of al-Sabeel, where they shared a day of reflection, prayer, discussion and entertainment. Four Catholic bishops took part in the day, celebrating Mass and dividing the tasks in the various moments of reflection and prayer. Everything ended with the consecration of the young people of Syria to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
King Faisal St, Aleppo, with church on right and mosque in the distance
The Armenian Catholic Bishop Boutros Marayati describes his emotion and shared experience with the young people of Aleppo to Fides Agency: 'I was amazed to see so many young people without fear, in a city scarred by war. They all bore witness to a certain inner peace that is a gift of the Lord. The perception of the tenderness of Jesus for each of them has strengthened, and many are beginning to think about consecrating themselves to the Lord in prayer and in service of others. We made the most of the words that Francis Pope had said in the early days of World Youth Day, with his call not to allow anyone to steal hope. Those words lit up our whole day'.
Saadallah Al-Jabiri Square, October 2012
This is the main square of the city
The description of the Armenian Catholic Bishop dwells at length on the miracle of inner peace which he perceived in the young Christians of Aleppo: 'They tried to contact the young people in Rio through Skype', said Mgr Marayati to Fides, 'but the internet lines were not working. The atmosphere was relaxed, boys and girls did not seem taken from the anguish of feeling under siege or having to fear the future as Christians. Despite the high number of participants in the meeting, there was no protective measure. And thank God, everything went well'. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 02/08/2013).
Catholics in Aleppo
You can find some information about the Catholics in Syria on www.catholic-hierarchy.org. There are six Catholic jurisdictions in Aleppo, each with its own bishop, those of Armenian Catholics, Latin/Roman Catholics, Maronite Catholics, Chaldean Catholics, Melkite Greek Catholics and Syrian (or Syriac) Catholics. All of these are in full communion with Rome and are equally Catholic. Except for the Latin/Roman Catholics and Maronite Catholics, all have Orthodox counterparts.
Christians in Syria, who trace their origins back to the time of the Apostles, are in a minority and many have emigrated because of ongoing unrest in the Middle East, as they have from Iraq and Palestine, for example.
In June Pope Francis appealed for peace in Syria. He said:
My thoughts at this moment also go to the Christian communities who live in Syria and throughout the Middle East. The Church supports the members of these communities who today find themselves in special difficulty. These have the great task of continuing to offer a Christian presence in the place where they were born. And it is our task to ensure that this witness remain there. The participation of the entire Christian community to this important work of assistance and aid is imperative at this time.
All photos from Wikipedia.
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