CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN SYRIA CELEBRATE EASTER

SANA – Syrian Arab News Agency, Syria
April 16 2006

DAMASCUS, (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 mass 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.

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
sins and suffering.

All sermons spoke about the national meanings of Evacuation Day,
which coincides with celebrations of Easter, commending strife and
sacrifices of our people to free the home from the foreign occupation.

They called for strengthening the national unity and unifying our
ranks to back the ongoing process of development and modernization
in Syria under the leadership of president Bashar al-Assad, preserve
our country’s independence and progress and to face 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 .

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.

Governors of all Syrian governorates and Secretaries of the Baath Arab
Socialist Party visited the spiritual leaders in their governorates
and congratulated them.

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