This was emphasised by the auxiliary of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia in the Mass celebrated for the feast of 29 June. The embrace between Catholic and Orthodox brothers offers "the opportunity to experience the joy of encounter". The city is still in serious difficulty, it seems "hit by heavy bombardment". And the final appeal: religious and fidei donum are needed to help keep Christianity alive in Turkey.

Antioch (AsiaNews) - "More than a year has passed since the great disaster" that "deeply marked our lives" and while "we mourned the loss of our loved ones, we also tried to heal our own wounds".

This was underlined by Msgr Antuan Ilgit, auxiliary of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia since last August, in the Mass for the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, as the bishop recalls "one of the two main feasts of the vicariate [...] next to the Conversion of St Paul on 25 January".

In his reflection, sent to AsiaNews, the prelate explains that "even if not everything is completely behind us, we are trying to build our lives by binding ourselves to one another" through "faith" and, on the other hand, "with the hope for the future that comes from being survivors".

Bishop Antuan's words are at the heart of the service celebrated in Antioch, the heart of the devastation caused by the earthquake of 6 February 2023, where the faithful of the vicariate (together with Tarsus) gather every year to celebrate the two feasts with their bishop.

Mass on 29 June was held in the church-cave of St Peter's and was marked by an ecumenical prayer for unity and peace presided over by the auxiliary bishop, together with the auxiliary bishop of the Patriarchate of Antioch and all the Eastern Orthodox, Kostantin Kayyal.

"Religious men and women who serve the vicariate of Anatolia were present, as were the Orthodox and Armenian priests who lead the communities in the area," the prelate emphasised, and the participation of young people was "very significant".

"This embrace between Catholic and Orthodox brothers," said Msgr Antuan in his homily, "offers the opportunity to experience the joy of fraternal encounter" combined with the "deep bonds" between sister Churches and the "determination to go forward together" united "in legitimate diversity".

"Despite the centuries that have passed, it is a good thing that Antakya [Antioch, ed] continues to maintain its identity as an open city, where everyone," he emphasised, "can practise their religious beliefs and that the civil and religious authorities work together for peace".

In the afternoon, the Catholic community gathered in the courtyard of the Capuchin parish on the road to reconstruction, where the parish priest Fr Francis Dondu and his confrere Fr Daud Moris serve the community three days a week in a very precarious situation.

The celebration was attended by faithful from the cities of İskenderun, Adana, Tarsus and Mersin, a "first time after the earthquake on this ancient altar" as Fr. Francis Dondu underlined, on which "you renew our hope of being able to rebuild".

During his homily, Msgr Antuan wanted to encourage the "little clergy" present, from the Capuchins to the focolarini, all coming "from the ends of the world" who at the price of "great sacrifices" and "great dedication seek to serve the Church of Turkey".

"I am deeply grateful and thankful to you", he continued, "for your humble presence". The prelate then recalled the encouragement of Pope Francis "who from the day of the earthquake until today has never abandoned us to our fate", recalling the importance "of shepherds who offer their lives: of those in love with God" following the example of Peter and Paul.

"Perhaps we will not be asked to be put on the cross, but to stand beside this population that has been hit so hard," the vicar concluded, "with few words but with much generosity. And this will be our prophecy that will once again change the history of this land so dear to Christianity'.

Finally, the prelate entrusted AsiaNews with some reflections on the situation in Antioch 16 months after the devastating earthquake of February 2023. "Antioch is about 60 kilometres from Iskenderun, the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia," and travelling the route by car, "I found that despite the government's efforts" to demolish collapsed and unusable buildings, there are still "tons of rubble to be removed".

"The area," he adds, "remains constantly under dust, which compromises the health of thousands of people who continue to live in containers and suffer from the heat that reaches around 38 degrees, with 70 per cent humidity".

"In Antioch," Mgr Antuan continues, "one still has the impression of being in a city hit by major bombings. If we do not count a few renovated buildings and a few metres of road, it seems that nothing has been done" and it is increasingly evident that "it will take many years to reach a 'new normality'!" and the cathedral itself is "still to be rebuilt".

Thanking Caritas and the Italian Episcopal Conference for their help, the prelate admits, however, that "we do not have enough staff to follow so many projects [...] that prevent us from accessing funds and thus reaching those in need immediately".

Among the needy, the Christian population is "always put in second place", with parishes without priests and without nuns and the "enormous expenses" of bringing in religious from outside.

This is why, in conclusion, the prelate launched an appeal asking for help to "find men and women religious interested in working in Turkey, especially with young people. Invite fidei donum, adopt our communities by bearing part of the expenses just mentioned, so that Christianity does not disappear from this 'holy land of the Church', as Monsignor Luigi Padovese used to call it".