Bishops Abducted in Syria in 2013 Alive, Currently in Raqqa

Source: Sputnik

October 27, 2016

St. James' convent. Photo: http://romeartlover.tripod.com/Qara.html St. James' convent. Photo: http://romeartlover.tripod.com/Qara.html
    

According to preliminary data, Syrian bishops abducted in the vicinity of the country's northern city of Aleppo in 2013 are alive and currently in the city of Raqqa occupied by the Daesh militant group, a mother superior at the Monastery and Convent of Saint James the Mutilated, located in the western Syrian town of Qarah, said Wednesday.

In 2013, militants captured Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo Paul Yazidzhi and Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo John Ibrahim. In December 2015, reports emerged about their execution.

"We have received information from our sources that they are in Raqqa, and we are concerned over their lives. We are praying for their liberation before the final attack on Raqqa," Mother Agnes Mariam Salib said at a press conference.

She added that numerous Christian community members were also praying for the liberation of the two bishops.

Social protests against Damascus in 2011 have turned into a protracted civil war in the Middle Eastern nation that has already claimed thousands of lives. The conflict is also characterized by the stepping-up of activities of various radical Islamists, such as the Daesh (outlawed in many countries, including Russia and the United States), which gained notoriety for kidnapping and killing Christians, as well as worshipers from non-Sunni religious groups.

In July 2015, Pope Francis used the term "genocide" to describe the violence committed by extremists against Christians in the Middle East.

Sputnik

10/27/2016

See also
Resolution Sent in Protest of Silence Concerning Kidnapped Syrian Bishops Resolution Sent in Protest of Silence Concerning Kidnapped Syrian Bishops Resolution Sent in Protest of Silence Concerning Kidnapped Syrian Bishops Resolution Sent in Protest of Silence Concerning Kidnapped Syrian Bishops
We earnestly entreat that an immediate solution be found which will bring peace and will be based on respect for the religious freedom of each person, in the conviction that peace for the world involves peace for Christians, too. A Joint Statement: Three Years on the Abduction of Metropolitans Paul and Youhanna A Joint Statement: Three Years on the Abduction of Metropolitans Paul and Youhanna A Joint Statement: Three Years on the Abduction of Metropolitans Paul and Youhanna A Joint Statement: Three Years on the Abduction of Metropolitans Paul and Youhanna
On April 21, 2016, a joint statement was issued by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, and the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, marking the three year anniversary of the abduction of Metropolitans Paul and Youhanna. Antioch metropolitan asks Russian MPs to help search for bishops abducted in Syria Antioch metropolitan asks Russian MPs to help search for bishops abducted in Syria Antioch metropolitan asks Russian MPs to help search for bishops abducted in Syria Antioch metropolitan asks Russian MPs to help search for bishops abducted in Syria
"Regrettably, we know absolutely nothing about their fate. We do not know where they are, what they [militants] have done to them, whether they are alive or have been killed. We have absolutely no idea about their whereabouts," Metropolitan Luke said at a meeting with a Russian parliamentary delegation.
Comments
Kristo Murr5/14/2017 9:22 pm
While we highly pray for their safety and release, we cannot help but to ask the Orthodox church to shed some of its own hypocrisy and look at similarly heinous acts performed by none but its own highly corrupt, cruel and inhumane Tripoli-Lebanon Orthodox judge Youhanna Batach ( https://www.facebook.com/abounayouhanna.batach ). Shame on us Orthodox for tolerating such ISIS like behavior within our own church.

" But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach" Amen.
Patty 10/28/2016 11:43 pm
Blessed be. May they come home soon. May the Heavenly Father forgive the people who took these Bishops from their congregations.
Nadia Nasrawi10/28/2016 9:35 am
Miracles works! I believe in miracles!!!!!!
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