Maarat Saydnaya - The Holy Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch held Friday a meeting in Maarat Saydnaya headed by Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church.
Patriarch Aphrem II said, in statements after the meeting, that there are more than 60 archbishops of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the world, adding that the importance of the meeting lies in the gathering in Syria, highlighting that the meeting signals a message that "No matter how hard the circumstances are, we will live our normal lives."
On the presidential elections in Syria, Patriarch Aphrem II said that since his first visit, he has been urging citizens to participate in the elections, adding that elections is a step in constructing a democracy that suits the Syrian nature.
He stressed that voting is the right and duty of every Syrian citizen, noting that what has happened in the Syrian embassy in Lebanon proves that Syrians are avid to participate in this democratic process.
His Beatitude described decisions made by some countries to deprive Syrians in their lands to vote as inconsistent with the democratic situation in these countries and being an uncivilized act.
The participants expressed, in the meeting's concluding statement, gratitude for President Bashar al-Assad for his keenness on providing any help.
The statement stressed the importance of co-existence between Muslims and Christians, calling also for a Christian unity.
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2014
