Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, in his message on the tragic events unfolding in Syria, expressed his deep sorrow and concern at the unprecedented and horrific crimes being committed against Christians and Islamic minorities.
With a sense of responsibility, he appeals to the international community for the immediate protection of the innocent victims and the restoration of peace while calling on the Serbian people and the Church to pray for our suffering brothers and sisters in Syria.
Read below the message of the Patriarch of Serbia:
It is with absolute disbelief and deep sorrow that we have received the news of the unprecedented and horrific crimes being committed these days against Christians and Islamic minorities – Alawites and Shiites – in ancient and martyred Syria.
For us Orthodox Christians, every human being, regardless of faith or nationality, is an image of God and a guardian of the sacred gift of life. For this reason, our sorrow is all the greater because, in recent days, thousands of innocent and defenseless Syrians have fallen victim to torture and death at the hands of those who now hold official power.
I have said many times, and I repeat it now, that the East and the West are interconnected vessels, and the suffering that is currently afflicting the people of Syria can easily spread to other parts of the world. Therefore, from the throne of the greatest peacemaker of the Serbian people, St. Sava, I implore and appeal to all responsible actors, both in Syria and in the international community, to take immediate and concrete steps to protect the endangered population and to put an end to these atrocities.
I also call upon the entire Church of Serbia, our people, and the holy clergy to add to our Lenten efforts sincere prayers for the repose of the souls of all Syrian martyrs, as well as for the comfort and protection of their loved ones. By praying for their well-being and peace in their country, we will prove to be true children of the Heavenly Father and true multipliers and guardians of peace and goodness amid the chaos of our times.
I extend my special prayerful, compassionate and fraternal love and support to the true friend of the Church of St. Sava, His Beatitude Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John, as well as to his holy clergy, who continue to bear witness to the love of God with a fearless spirit, like the martyrs of the first centuries.
Archbishop of Peć
Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci and Patriarch of Serbia
Porfirije
