Christian sects in Syria celebrate Easter
by Ghossoun

Syrian Arab News Agency, Syria
March 27 2005

DAMASCUS, Mar 27 (SANA) – Christian sects in Syria who follow the
Western calendar on Sunday celebrated Easter through performing
prayers, masses and preaches.

Patriarch of Antioch and all the East of the Roman Catholics Gregorius
III Laham chaired a large masse in Roman Catholic Patriarchate in
which he spoke about the sublime values of Easter and the divine
message conveyed by Christ for salvation of humanity as a whole.

The Patriarch spoke about the current critical situation in the region
where Syria is exposed to big pressures and challenges expressing
the Syrian people~Rs belief in and absolute trust in President Bashar
al-Assad~Rs wise leadership .

He said: ” peace is the only guarantee for the joint living and
understanding among peoples is the key of security, stability and
progress in the region.”

In similar sermons the spiritual leader of the Anglican church in
Damascus, Botrous Zaour and archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox in
Damascus Armache Balandian spoke in their separate sermons about the
humanitarian message of the Christ to free human beings from their
sin and suffering.

They talked about the difficult circumstances in the region,
suffering of the Palestinian people due to the Israeli occupation,
the fierce attacks targeting Syria and Lebanon in a bid to hurt the
Syrian-Lebanese relations, make Syria bow down and abandon its national
stances for imposing the so-called Greater Middle East Project.

They called for adherence to our unified ranks and national unity
for facing all possible pressures and schemes.

In this respect and on directive from president Bashar al-Assad, the
Minister of the Presidential Affairs Dr. Ghassan Laham conveyed the
President’s heartfelt congratulation to the spiritual leaders of the
Christian sects on the occasion of the Easter, wishing them success
in their work.

Dr. Laham visited His Eminence Patriarch Gregorius III Laham of
the Roman Catholics with the attendance of the Vicar Patriarchal
Archbishop Isidor Battikha, Archbishop Elias Tibbi at the Patriarchate
of the Assyrian Catholics, leader of the Anglican church in Damascus,
Botrous Zaour and archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox in Damascus
Armache Balandian and others.

The spiritual leaders of the Christian sects expressed gratitude to
President Assad for his kind congratulations, wishing His Excellency
success in leading the country and care for all the citizens for the
best interest of Syria and the Arab Nation.

Awkaf Minister, Ziyad Eddin al-Ayyoubi also visited the spiritual
leaders of the Christian sects and offered them his congratulations
on the occasion of Easter.

During the meeting the spiritual leaders hailed the national unity
and coexistence which Syria enjoys.

Secretary of Damascus branch of the Baath Arab Socialist Party, Khalil
Mashhadya and Damascus Governor, Mohammad Bashar al-Mufti also visited
the spiritual leaders to congratulate them on Easter.