Pope Shenouda visits Syria
The concerns of the eastern Church emerge during a meeting with Zacca I Ivas, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch: emigration of youth and fundamentalism
Damsacus (AsiaNews) Pope Shenouda III, spiritual leader of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church is on an official visit in Syria. He was invited by Patriarch Zacca I Ivas of the Syrian Orthodox Church, to mark the 25th anniversary of his election to head of the Patriarchate of Antioch and of the Syrian-Orthodox Church of the east. Believers adhering to the Syro-Antiochean rite, which emerged after the schism of the fourth century, number more than two million spread across several Arab countries, especially in Iraq, Lebanon, as well as in western Europe and America.
Pope Shenouda yesterday visited the ancient monastery of St Efrem in the region of Saidnaia near Damascus. During the liturgy of the word, he explained the significance of his visit and he exhorted the faithful to remain in the east, criticizing the enormous exodus of youth migrating west. He also highlighted that youth should be supported through apt economic and social policies so they would find some advantage in staying in their country.
Pope Shenouda also underscored the necessity of a new evangelisation in the mid-east, and he strongly criticized all manner of fundamentalism and countries which support it. He emphasized that fundamentalism has nothing to do with religion and it actually encouraged atheism because it "distanced man from God and from himself".
In a comment to AsiaNews, Zacca I Ivas recalled the powers-that-be to the necessity and urgency of a global process to bring about a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
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20/03/2012
