“Every human being who is shaken by such heinous acts, regardless of their religious beliefs, has a moral duty to oppose, both in word and in deed, all forms of intolerance, blind violence, and terrorism. All the more so do the powerful of this world, political leaders and governments, bear an even greater responsibility, for they hold in their hands the fate of nations and are obliged to safeguard conditions of peaceful coexistence.”
These were among the statements made by Archbishop Makarios of Australia in reference to the deadly attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elijah in Damascus.
“Together with our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,” he continued, “we stand in solidarity with Patriarch John of Antioch and unite our voices with his, calling for the immediate cessation of the slaughter of Christians and the concrete protection of minorities in Syria.”
Below is the Archbishop’s full statement, as posted on the social media platform Instagram:
Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.
“Pain and revulsion are the emotions that overwhelm me in these difficult hours, having seen the images from the horrific attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elijah in Damascus and having learned that innocent fellow human beings, while engaged in prayer within the church, were so tragically and unjustly taken from this life.
Every person who is shaken by such atrocious acts, regardless of the faith they follow, has to stand against intolerance, blind violence, and terrorism, both through their words and their actions.
All the more so do the powerful of this world, political leaders and governments, who hold in their hands the destiny of peoples, bear the obligation to ensure conditions of peaceful coexistence.
Wars are waged over oil and wealth; decisions are made by world leaders to demonstrate who holds the greatest power. Yet Christianity is being persecuted. We all witness attempts by some to portray themselves as the masters of human fate. And yet, Christianity is being persecuted. And no one speaks of it.
Together with our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, we stand with Patriarch John of Antioch and join our voices with his in calling for an immediate end to the massacres of Christians and for the tangible protection of minorities in Syria.
The entire Holy Archdiocese of Australia mourns alongside the Church, and fervently prays for the repose of the souls of our martyred brothers and sisters in Damascus, as well as for the swift recovery of those who were injured and are being treated.”
