Church of Greece: We stand by Patriarch of Jerusalem and condemn hostilities in Middle East
The Holy Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece, which met in Athens during its regular meeting, made an annoucement about the hostilities that have been taking place in the Middle East.
“War is a tragedy for the civilian population and young children, who at this tender age face the horrors of war and the agony of death,” the Holy Synod said in its announcement.
“We unequivocally condemn any terrorist act against our fellow human beings, of any race and religion, wherever they come from,” the Holy Synod added.
His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and the Metropolitans, who constitute the Hierarchy of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, wished that the Lord would “enlighten the leaders to take immediate action to end the war and to stop the shedding of human blood”. Otherwise, there would be “terrible consequences, not only to the peoples themselves, but also to the people of neighbouring countires and to all humanity”.
“We stand with brotherly love by the side of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, who serve with sacrificial love and peace in the Holy Land. They strive for a peaceful settlement in this troubled region, where all religions and races meet. We hope that they will carry on their martyric ministry and help their flock until peace is restored in the region,” the Holy Synod pointed out.
“The Holy Land must be a place of coexistence and mutual respect and not a place of division, national rivalities and conflicts. Similarly, we stand by the families of the victims and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and the return of the hostages to their families. The Holy Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece prays to the All-Merciful Holy Triune God for the repose of the souls of the unjustly killed victims of this unprecedented tragedy, as well as for the consolation and strengthening of those who were traumatized mentally and physically,” the Holy Synod concluded in the announcement.
Following the yesterday’s morning session of the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece, His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece prayed for the repose of the souls of the unjustly killed victims, at the Petraki Monastery in the presence of the members of the Holy Synod.
Source: Church of Greece
