Aleppo, Syria, December 2, 2024
Photo: Greco-Levantines World Wide
In a pastoral message issued on November 30, 2024, His Eminence Metropolitan Ephraim of Aleppo of the Antiochian Orthodox Church addresses his flock amidst the current flare-up in the 13-year Syrian war.
His Eminence confirms that he and others remaining in Aleppo are safe while advising residents to stay indoors and maintain calm.
He commits to staying in Aleppo to support his congregation, encourages continued prayer, and offers prayers for those who have left the city, while assuring that church services will continue as circumstances permit.
Aleppo has the largest Christian population (of various denominations) in Syria, though it the percentage has fallen dramatically since the war began in 2011.
On November 29, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly known as Al-Nusra Front) and Turkish-backed opposition groups launched an offensive on Aleppo, entering the government-held city. By November 30, these opposition forces had reportedly captured most of the city, marking the first major fighting in Aleppo since government forces took control from rebels in 2016.
Read Met. Ephraim’s full statement amidst the fighting:
Our beloved children, may the peace of the Lord be with you,
First, I would like to greet you and say: Good evening, hoping that our world remains well, and that you are in good health. Thank you to everyone who has contacted us to check on those of us remaining in Aleppo. We assure you all that we are well, thank God.
In these circumstances, beloved ones, it is wise for those who remained in Aleppo to avoid wandering around and to maintain calm and patience, and to commit to praying to the Lord God to have mercy on His world and bring peace to it. As for those who have left us, we pray to the Lord to guide their steps and help them reach their destinations safely.
We assure you, our beloved children in Aleppo, that we are staying in Aleppo alongside our flock in all circumstances, from the harshest to the sweetest. This is our pastoral mission and we will remain steadfast in it. We will be your support when needed, so do not hesitate to contact us directly.
We affirm that prayers will continue in our churches, according to the circumstances and available conditions. For in prayer, beloved ones, we cast the weight of our burden upon God and fix our hope in Him. Therefore, I tell you to pray without ceasing. Let us endure, sharing in Christ's path of the cross until we rise with Him in His resurrection.
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