Archbishop Yacobos Issa of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Austria and Switzerland said the relationship between the Coptic and Syriac churches is a fraternal relationship based on love and unity of faith.
The archbishop pointed out that rapprochement between Christian denominations has become an urgent necessity in today’s world, because the essence of faith is one and sectarian and religious conflicts have become a danger threatening individuals and entire nations.
The archbishop pointed out that rapprochement between Christian denominations has become an urgent necessity in today’s world, because the essence of faith is one and sectarian and religious conflicts have become a danger threatening individuals and entire nations.
Archbishop Issa told MCN that the continuation of the Syrian crisis hurts the whole world now because hundreds of dead and wounded people fall everyday in a hateful series of struggle for power over two years.
“Christians in Syria are a key component of the community and they feel pain for this bitter conflict and war, but there is no direct threat against them, but against Syrian society which consists of several denominations under citizenship and Arabism,” Archbishop Issa said.
He said they feel bitterness for the abduction of Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Boulos Yazigi, noting that the abduction period has lasted long and concern about their lives increases. He added that they hold prayers for their safety.
“The Syrian people condemn involving Christian clergy in Syria as a party in political conflict,” the archbishop added. “The church is trying to move away from politics and calls on everyone to stop fighting and bloodshed and resort to negotiated political solutions.”
The archbishop stressed the importance of deepening Islamic-Christian dialogue in the Arab region and fostering national unity and coexistence, because slipping into the trap of religious conflicts and sectarian fighting is the end of any state, and this is already threatening many Arab countries, such as the bitter crises experienced by Lebanon, Iraq and other countries.
“Christians in Syria are a key component of the community and they feel pain for this bitter conflict and war, but there is no direct threat against them, but against Syrian society which consists of several denominations under citizenship and Arabism,” Archbishop Issa said.
He said they feel bitterness for the abduction of Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Boulos Yazigi, noting that the abduction period has lasted long and concern about their lives increases. He added that they hold prayers for their safety.
“The Syrian people condemn involving Christian clergy in Syria as a party in political conflict,” the archbishop added. “The church is trying to move away from politics and calls on everyone to stop fighting and bloodshed and resort to negotiated political solutions.”
The archbishop stressed the importance of deepening Islamic-Christian dialogue in the Arab region and fostering national unity and coexistence, because slipping into the trap of religious conflicts and sectarian fighting is the end of any state, and this is already threatening many Arab countries, such as the bitter crises experienced by Lebanon, Iraq and other countries.
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