SW News: Heads of Churches belonging to the Syriac liturgical tradition have vowed to work unitedly to tackle the various challenges they are facing and they include the mass exodus of Christian believers from the Middle East. After their ecclesial conference hosted by Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Mar Ignatius Aphrem II at the Patriarchal residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon, the Patriarchs issued a statement in which they said they would enhance cooperation between Churches.

The host of the summit, His Beatitude Mar Aphrem II told his confreres that what they have in common was a lot although they face discord in expressing their faith because of historical reasons. “We still feel the urgency to be together and to cherish together our rich Syriac heritage,” said the patriarch.

Patriarchs emphasized the need to cherish and preserve the “distinctive treasure of their Syriac heritage” which has been passed down from the first days of Christianity overcoming severe troubles and tribulations.

They said the Middle East has been baptized with the blood of their forefathers who endured continuous persecution over the centuries. The heads of Churches said that they have to make available ways and means to support Christians and ensure their continuing presence in the region. They also expressed their resoluteness to stem the flow of believers to other countries, especially in the West.

Patriarchs of the Syriac heritage Churches also stressed the need to provide continuous pastoral support to the diaspora so that they are encouraged to maintain the faith and traditions of their ancestors and pass it on to future generations.

Another aspect discussed was the promotion of the Syriac language and teaching it to the young generation. They also pledged to have more seminars on Syriac liturgy and have events to promote Syriac identity and the language as well.
Those who took part in the conference included Cardinal Bechara Rai of the Maronite Church in Lebanon, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Patriarch Mar Awa Roel of the Assyrian Church of the East and Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan.