Damascus (AsiaNews) - "Christians and Muslims fast and pray together
for peace in Syria
and the end of violence." This is at the heart of a message to Catholics by
Msgr. Gregory III Laham, Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, during their fast for
the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin, which will last 1 to 15 August, the
Feast of the Assumption. The period of abstinence in part coincides with
Ramadan, the month of prayer and fasting for Muslims, which ends next August 18.
The periods of abstinence and prayer will be held simultaneously in churches
and mosques. In his pastoral letter to Catholics, the bishop also addresses the
rest of the population, and stresses that "the Syrians are still able to
love and forgive." According to Msgr. Laham, praying together for the end
of the war helps everyone to testify to the value of dialogue, reconciliation and
tolerance in a country torn by violence between rebels and the Assad regime.
Here's the full text of the recently published message by Msgr. Gregory III Laham:
To our brother bishops,
members of our Holy Synod in the Middle East
and throughout the whole world!
To our sons and
daughters: priests, monks, nuns, and Greek Catholic faithful!
May "the Peace of God
which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus!" (Philippians 4: 7)
Dear brothers and
sisters!
Once again Christians
and Muslims are fasting and praying at the same time. That is one of the most
beautiful marks and signs of their living together in solidarity.
So Muslims have begun
the fast of the honourable month of Ramadan (that lasts this year from 20 July
to 18 August.)
In a few days,
Christians will begin the fast or abstinence of the Dormition of the Mother of
God, from 1 until 15 August. This fast is a summer fast. There is first the
autumn fast that precedes the Nativity (40 days). Then follows Great Lent or
the winter fast(40 to 50 days), before the Feast of the Resurrection or Great
Feast, and the spring or Apostles' fast (20 to 25 days), in June.
The fast or abstinence
of Our Lady is very popular and loved by Christian families. During these 15
days we celebrate the consolation or invocation service called Paraklesis in
Greek. It is a very popular service that fills our hearts with hope,
consolation and joy. It is celebrated for various intentions, especially for
the sick, injured, travellers, mourners, orphans, refugees, exiled, departed...
We call upon our
faithful, especially in our patriarchal eparchy in Damascus, to participate in these services,
with fasting, prayer and repentance.
So the sounds of
services in churches and mosques will be simultaneously united, as will be the
prayers, fasting and devotions of Muslims and Christians both in places of
worship and homes! What beautiful harmony of faith!
Together we shall be
praying especially for the safety of all Syrians and for the cessation of the
violence that sows fear in quiet districts and has caused the displacement and
flight of thousands who have left their homes and properties! We pray too during
this period for the return of charity, friendship, fellowship and compassion
among all citizens. Syrians are still capable of loving and forgiving each
other, being reconciled and showing tolerance to one another. Together
they can rebuild a renewed,free, secure, conciliatorySyria, in which citizens
regardless of group, party, religion or affiliation can enjoy freedom, dignity,
employment and education ... United together, they can rebuild what has been
destroyed and work for development and prosperity, for a better future for all
citizens.
Together we pray: "O
Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance. Grant peace to thy world!
Grant peace to Syria!
By thy Cross, preserve thy people!"
We ask everyone to add
special litanies for peace and reconciliation to services.
To everyone, a holy
fast!
With my affection!
United in prayer!
Gregorios III
Patriarch of Antioch and All the
East,
Of Alexandriaand
Jerusalem
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