Prayers for peace

Turkish Daily News; Aug 02, 2006

Religious leaders led a congregation of Turkish Armenians at a prayer
ceremony at the Kinaliada Surp Krikor Lusarovic Church, praying for
an end to the violence in the Middle East

The prayers were led by Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II, Syriac Christian
Istanbul and Ankara leader and Assistant Patriarch Yusuf Cetin and
Father Dositeus — the deputy of Fener Patriarch Bartolomeos.

Mesrob II said they were devastated by the innocent blood spilled
in the Middle East, adding: "The people of Lebanon are subjected
to violence and Israeli citizens face death coming from the
sky, while Palestinians and Iraqis are mourning new deaths every
day. Unfortunately, this sorrow seems to have no end in sight. The
world is shaking, people are harmed and all of this is occurring right
before our eyes." He said now was a time when all should pray to God
and provide some hope for the people suffering. "We can all see things
are not going well in the Middle East. We all are frightened of the
dangerous escalation and are disappointed and angry. World leaders
are upset they are unable to do anything to restore peace." Mesrob
II called for an end to violence against innocent civilians and an
immediate cease-fire.

"Leaders are trying to justify violence that goes beyond the
limit of international law. Militant groups are inciting more
violence. No matter what happened, nothing can justify the bombing
of the infrastructure in Israel, Lebanon and Palestine. Terrorist
acts cannot justify a state resorting to terrorism." "We need divine
guidance. That’s what we seek through our prayers. What we can do for
these people who live so far away is limited; however, we can suffer
for them. We can pray to God for future peace."