SYRIA: Priest of Mor Afrem Church Habib Issa talks about Hano Qritho story

ZALIN, Syria — On Thursday, Father Habib Issa, priest of Mor Afrem Church in Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria, about the Hano Qritho story which dates back to the 13th century B.C.

“The story is about Jephthah’s daughter, a figure in the Hebrew Bible,” said Issa. “After Jephthah defeated the Ammonites, he vowed that he would offer the one who came out first of his house as a burnt offering to Yahweh.”

“Jephthah’s only daughter was the one who first met him,” he continued. “He grieved, but his daughter accepted to be a sacrifice.”

According to Father Issa, the lesson learned from this religious story is that we should not make severe vows, because God does not always stop our vows as He stopped Isaac’s sacrifice.

“We should be obedient to God as the girl was obedient to her father,” Father Issa added.

The priest also talked about the relation of the Hano Qritho story with Lent, indicating that our ancestors linked them together.

“We should keep our bodies used to fasting to stay healthy and revived,” he concluded.