Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate calls for action on 10th anniversary of Archbishops’ kidnapping in Syria

DARAMSUQ — The Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East issued a statement on the 10th anniversary of the kidnapping of Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Holeb (Aleppo) Youhanna Ibrahim and Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Holeb Paul Yazigi.

The Patriarchate recalled the 2013 kidnapping of the archbishops, which is a part of the suffering experienced by Christians in the region, including killing, displacement, and terror. The statement highlighted the efforts of the Patriarchate over the past decade to research and track the case, seeking the support of local and foreign governments, embassies, and religious and civil authorities.

The Patriarchate called for serious action from the international community and other governments, rather than mere statements of denunciation and condemnation, emphasizing that this issue deserves urgent attention. The statement concluded by reminding us that the kidnapping of the two archbishops invites us to reflect, examine and realize that everyone is targeted in this East.