Assyrian Patriarch Condemns Violence Against Christians in Mosul

July 21, 2014

Assyrian Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II. Assyrian Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II.
The Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II, issued a statement condemning the violence against Christians in Iraq.

Here is the text of the statement:

Patriarchal Residence -- Atchaneh, Bikfaya, Lebanon

The pace of the threats in Northern Iraq has escalated recently and the attacks and killing of Christians and others in Mosul have increased. Some terrorists called upon them publicly to leave their homes in the city of Mosul and get out of the city. The seizing of the properties and confiscation of houses have not stopped since the beginning of this campaign against them. ISIS gave Christians of Mosul a a deadline to leave the city because their leaders refused to accept the unreasonable demands and unacceptable conditions which could be summarized by forcing the Christians to renounce their faith or pay jizia tax in order to keep their lives.

We strongly condemn these terrorist acts directed against our Christian people, clergy and laymen. We reject the burning of churches and their complete destruction. We demand immediate action to stop these assaults and threats. Moreover, we appeal to the international community, organizations and all people of goodwill to work together to put an end to these devastating acts in Iraq in particular and in the Middle East in general. We demand to stop the financing of extremist groups which spread the spirit of horror among the citizens and aim at dividing the Iraqi people who has a long history of common living and working together. We recommend our spiritual children to deal wisely with the recent developments and be in solidarity with one another. We advise them to cling to the land of our forefathers until a way out of this ordeal is found.

We pray for peace and security to prevail in the region. We also pray that the suffering of all people of Iraq will end so that they may live in peace and with dignity.

Assyrian International News Agency

7/22/2014

See also
A video published in which an ISIS militant destroys the grave of Prophet Jonah A video published in which an ISIS militant destroys the grave of Prophet Jonah A video published in which an ISIS militant destroys the grave of Prophet Jonah A video published in which an ISIS militant destroys the grave of Prophet Jonah
The ISIS terrorist organization that seized a part of Iraq has published on the internet a video with one shocking moment – a militant in black clothes with a sledgehammer is shattering gravestones, breaking them into pieces. Patriarchs Call on Region's Christians to Hold on to Their Lands Patriarchs Call on Region's Christians to Hold on to Their Lands Patriarchs Call on Region's Christians to Hold on to Their Lands Patriarchs Call on Region's Christians to Hold on to Their Lands
The patriarchs of Eastern churches Tuesday deplored the raging violence in Iraq and Syria that has caused a massive wave of refugees, exhorting Christians to maintain their presence in the region's war-torn countries and keep hold of their lands. Mosul under control of Caliphate: killing, violence and destruction of churches Mosul under control of Caliphate: killing, violence and destruction of churches Mosul under control of Caliphate: killing, violence and destruction of churches Mosul under control of Caliphate: killing, violence and destruction of churches
A wave of killings and violence has swept the Iraqi city of Mosul after “The Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant” militants seized the Nineveh province. The punitive actions of the takfirists were caused by refusal of some Christians of the city to submit to the new laws, introduced by the extremists. 5 assyrians, including two nuns, missing in Mosul 5 assyrians, including two nuns, missing in Mosul 5 assyrians, including two nuns, missing in Mosul 5 assyrians, including two nuns, missing in Mosul
Two Chaldean nuns from the Daughters of Mary Order, Sister Miskintah and Sister Utoor Joseph, as well as Hala Salim, Sarah Khoshaba and Aram Sabah have not been heard from for nearly two days. Militants intend to destroy all churches in the seized city of Mosul in northern Iraq Militants intend to destroy all churches in the seized city of Mosul in northern Iraq Militants intend to destroy all churches in the seized city of Mosul in northern Iraq Militants intend to destroy all churches in the seized city of Mosul in northern Iraq
Terrorists from “The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (Isis) group intend to destroy all churches in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq (396 kilometres from Baghdad), which they have seized, reports ITAR-TASS. If war is not the answer, then what is? If war is not the answer, then what is? If war is not the answer, then what is? If war is not the answer, then what is?
We still get the occasional finger, catcall, obscenity or argument, however. And recently a person walked up to us and angrily shouted several times in our faces, “You are offensive” — giving us no opportunity to respond. Some who stop are veterans home from Iraq or Afghanistan, and most of these — having personally experienced the horror and insanity of war — voice agreement with us.
Comments
Here you can leave your comment on the present article, not exceeding 4000 characters. All comments will be read by the editors of OrthoChristian.Com.
Enter through FaceBook
Your name:
Your e-mail:
Enter the digits, seen on picture:

Characters remaining: 4000

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×