Statement Issued by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
Issued by the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
Mor Augin Monastery – Switzerland – December 1st, 2014
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II invited the parties and organizations working amongst our Syriac people throughout the world, namely: the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), Beth Nahrin National Council, and the World Council of Arameans [Syriacs] to meet together at Mor Augin Monastery in Switzerland during His Holiness’ apostolic visit to the Patriarchal Vicariate in Switzerland and Austria.
His Holiness opened the meeting with prayer and welcomed all the participants of the meeting which was also attended by their Eminences the Archbishops accompanying him. He expressed his pleasure that a meeting of this level was convened for the first time. He hoped that this meeting will be the nucleus for future meetings. His Holiness then gave an overview of the situation of our Syriac people who are suffering from violence, persecution and expulsion which imposes historical responsibility on everyone, both clergy and laymen. This can be done by coordination and serious cooperation among all parties who are concerned about the wellbeing of the Syriac people. Moreover, His Holiness appreciated the great efforts that the parties have shown in supporting our people in the Middle East, financially and morally, especially their serious attempts towards the release of the abducted Archbishops Mor Gregorius Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yaziji.
The representatives of the Syriac parties and organizations highly appreciated His Holiness’ call for the meeting. They spoke in turn about their agenda and role; expressing their love and respect for the Syriac Church. They assured of their serious desire to get involved in common action on behalf of our Syriac people. At the end of the meeting, His Holiness asked His Eminence Mor Polycarpus Augin Aydin, the Patriarchal Vicar in the Netherlands to coordinate and invite the parties to continue their dialogue. Everyone agreed that the next meeting will be on January 10, 2015 at Mor Ephrem Monastery in the Netherlands. His Holiness then offered his apostolic benediction to all the participants, asking the Lord to bless the Syriac people throughout the world and prayed for peace everywhere.
