Universal Syriac Union Party honors Syriac Martyrs

SABTIYEH-SED EL BOUCHRIEH, Lebanon — The Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP) on Friday held a commemoration in honor of the 1,132 Syriac Martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives for freedom and independence during Lebanon’s civil war. 

USUP annually pays tribute the martyrs of the Christian Syriac Resistance. Friday’s gathering was held at Syriac Martyrs’ Square at the Sabtiyeh-Sed El Bouchrieh intersection and was attended by political and religious figures. 

A broad representation of political parties sent representatives to honor the Syriac Martyrs, including the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb Party, National Liberal Party, Guardians of the Cedars Party, the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar), and the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party.

Churches sent representatives, too. Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mor Yusuf III Younan sent a delegation. Father Ninos Odeh of St. George Church represented the Assyrian Church of the East.

Archbishop and Patriarchal Advisor Mor George Saliba and Archbishop Kyrillos Babi, Patriarchal Vicar and Director of Charitable Institutions in Atchaneh attended. A representative of Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut Mor Daniel Gawriyeh was present, along with several local priests of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

The evening began with the Lebanese national anthem, and a moment of silence and prayer in memory of the martyrs. Afterwards, all political and religious representatives laid a commemorative wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial, crowning the square which bears the name of the Syriac martyrs.

Family and friends of the martyrs followed. By laying wreaths and flowers they remembered and honored their fallen loved ones. 

The commemoration concluded with a speech by the President of the Universal Syriac Union Party Ibrahim Mrad who praised the valor and sacrifice of the Syriac Martyrs. 

The Lebanese Civil War, which endured from 1975 to 1990, claimed the lives of numerous martyrs, with a substantial number hailing from the Syriac community. Their courage and dedication in the face of adversity made them the largest percentage of martyrs in the Lebanese Syriac Resistance.

Friday’s commemoration served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave individuals, reinvigorating the commitment to honor their memory and the values for which they fought.