Kristdemokraterna delegation and Patriarch Mor Aphrem II discuss situation of Christians in Lebanon and Syria

ATCHANEH, Lebanon / HMOTH, Syria — Amid discussions on the situation of Middle Eastern Christians and the challenges they face in a region in turmoil, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Aphrem II received a delegation of the Swedish Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna), led by MP Yusuf Aydin, at the patriarchal residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

Besides Aydin, the delegation included MPs for Magnus Berntsson and Magnus Jacobsson. Aydin is the representative of his party on the dossier on persecuted Christians worldwide. 

The meeting addressed current regional developments and the difficulties confronting Christian communities across the Middle East. Syriac Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies Mor Severius Roger Akhrass also attended. 

In a related development, Italian Ambassador Stefano Ravagnan visited the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese residence in the Al-Hamidiyah neighborhood in Hmoth (Homs). He was received by Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Hmoth (Homs), Hemto (Hama), and Nebek Mor Julian Yacoub Mourad. The meeting was attended by the church’s Political Affairs Director in Homs, Obeida al-Arnaout, and representatives of other Christian denominations in the city. 

Discussions focused on the status of Syria’s Christian and Syriac communities, as well as their historical and contemporary role in Syria’s national fabric.