Syria

5 November 2013 The “most serious and biggest massacre of Christians in Syria” in which 45 people were killed and 1,500 families held hostage has been reported by the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan of Homs and Hama. It happened during the week following 21 October in the ancient Christian town of Sadad, which lies about 100 miles north-east of Damascus, after …

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese, 4 Oct 2013 Syrian-born Father Rahal Dergham, Migrant Chaplain to the Archdiocese of Sydney’s Syrian and Iraqi community has welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to resettle 500 Syrian refugees as part of its humanitarian refugee program. “The news is a cause for joy and fills us with happiness. When compared with the more than 2 million …

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RUQZYjyt30] MODE OF LIFE REFLECTS ON EVENTS IN MAALOULA It is with a heavy heart and much suppressed anger, that we at Mode of Life look upon the developments regarding our fellow Orthodox Christian brethren across the Middle East and in Africa. Some of whom are either family or close associates, which amplifies that sorrow and anger that dwells within …

The following sermon address was given by His Grace Bishop Basil of Wichita to the parish of St Mary Orthodox Church in Wichita, Kansas regarding the crisis in Syria, September 8, 2013:  “This week will be a very important week, an historical week, one way or another–our church, our Patriarchate in particular, and this world in general. This week our …

POPE FRANCIS RENEWS CALL FOR PEACE IN SYRIA In this Sunday’s Angelus prayer, the Pope spoke out against “the increase in violence in a war between brothers” vatican insider staff Rome After the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Francis renewed his call for peace in Syria. “It is not confrontation that offers hope to resolve problems, but rather the ability …

14 June 2013 Speakers at a conference in Oxford last week gave strong indications that the two Orthodox archbishops kidnapped near the Syrian city of Aleppo on 22 April had been killed. A senior regional source said he thought Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Paul Yazigi had been murdered on the day that they were kidnapped. The pair …

SYRIAN CHURCH OFFICIALS SAY 2 ALEPPO-BASED BISHOPS WHO WERE KIDNAPPED REMAIN MISSING Author: Barbara Surk, 24 April 2013 The whereabouts of two bishops kidnapped in northern Syria remain unknown, Syrian church officials said Wednesday, a day after telling reporters that they had been released. Bishop Tony Yazigi of the Damascus-based Greek Orthodox Church said Tuesday that the bishops, both working …

Some Introductory Remarks As usual, it comes as no surprise that the following articles have not, or will never be seen, aired or published within the mainstream Australian media. For all its talk and bluster about human rights, freedom and democracy, it is a grave omission by the Australian mass-media that we rarely see the reporting of the problems to …

It is very interesting, if not revealing, that within the mainstream media we do not hear the truth or the full details of racism, hatred or prejudice that is within our midst and afflicting our societies. Nor do we hear as to how “multiculturalism” is used as a weapon and a defence by people who accuse others of hatred, racism …

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHVrpjG0Gvc] Prologue Dearly beloved readers, the news that I receive from friends and acquaintances from those in the Middle East, and especially from Syria is very bleak. The anger, sorrow and the atrocities expressed within these letters I cannot bring myself to publish because it is too painful for me personally, but they are very telling of the situation upon …