Statement of the Holy Syriac Orthodox Synod of Antioch

Shared from the Facebook page of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.

Patriarchal Residence, Atchaneh, Lebanon, March 26-28, 2025

At the invitation of His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod convened its regular session with the participation of His Beatitude Catholicos Mor Baselios Joseph and Their Eminences the Archbishops, members of the Holy Synod. The session took place from March 26 to 28, 2025, at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Bikfaya, Lebanon. The sessions addressed the most important issues and topics on the agenda.

His Holiness the Patriarch opened the Holy Synod with prayer and then delivered a speech in which he welcomed the new Catholicos and the Archbishops, members of the Holy Synod. His Holiness then reviewed the work carried out by the Patriarchate and its various departments over the past two years, since the convening of the previous Holy Synod in June 2023.

His Holiness also elaborated on the state of the Church in general, and in the Middle East in particular, with a focus on the situation in Syria in light of the major political changes that have occurred. He reviewed the efforts of the Syriac dioceses in the Middle East and commended the sacrifices of their Archbishops, priests, and all who work at the Church institutions in serving the children of the Church amid the difficult living conditions resulting from recurring crises.

As the Fathers of the Holy Synod follow with concern the situation in Syria, they express their deep sorrow over the continued loss of innocent lives and the marginalization of segments of the nation's citizens, who have historically been an integral part of the Syrian fabric and contributed to building its civilization. While affirming the sanctity of human life, the Holy Synod Fathers call for an end to all forms of violence and violations, and for efforts to consolidate the principles of justice, equality, and true citizenship, so that every individual in society enjoys the full right to live in freedom and dignity, without discrimination or exclusion.

Based on its spiritual and national responsibility, the Church emphasizes the importance of drafting a constitution that meets the aspirations of all Syrians, without serving a particular group at the expense of others, nor based on religious or ethnic discrimination. The modern state must be a civil, democratic state, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights, embracing all its citizens, regardless of their religious, sectarian, or ethnic affiliations.

The Synod Fathers also emphasize that transitional justice represents an essential step in building a stable future, as national reconciliation cannot be achieved without uncovering the truth, providing justice to victims, restoring rights to their rightful owners, and knowing the fate of the kidnapped, missing, and forcibly disappeared, including the Archbishops of Aleppo, Mor Gregorios Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi. Their forced absence from their churches and people remains a bleeding wound in the heart of the Church, and indeed in the entire Middle East. Justice is not revenge; it is the foundation for lasting peace, built on truth, accountability, and forgiveness.

While the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, rooted in this land for two thousand years, calls on all the people of Syria to rally around the values of justice and brotherhood and work together to build a homeland that embraces all its children without discrimination, she offers prayers that God may protect Syria and its people and grant it a future of peace, freedom, and dignity.

Lebanon, meanwhile, has been suffering in recent years from a stifling economic and social crisis that has deeply impacted all its citizens. Difficult living conditions and scarce resources have driven many to emigrate in search of a dignified life, threatening to diminish the historic Christian presence in this country, which has long been a haven of pluralism and cultural prosperity. While we feel deep sorrow over the killing and destruction that have befallen Lebanon due to the Israeli aggression, we are encouraged by the recent political developments, including the election of a president and the formation of a new government that will work to advance Lebanon by harnessing the talents and potential of all its people. We pray for Lebanon's stability and the resolution of its crisis, while having confidence that divine providence is able to rescue the nation from its distress so that it may return to being the land of the message as it once was.

Then the fathers listened to the report of the General Secretariat of the Holy Synod, in addition to the reports of the synodal committees, most notably the Committee on the Constitution and Canons and the Liturgical Committee, and commended their work.

His Holiness, along with the Holy Synod Fathers, recalled the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325 AD, on the occasion of its 1700th anniversary. They also highlighted the role of our Syriac Church, which participated in that glorious ecumenical legacy and remained faithful to the teachings of that council and its Creed. The spirit of the Council of Nicaea, with its spirituality and focus on the purity of doctrine, must remain a beacon guiding our churches today as they confront the currents of skepticism and distortion of the Christian faith. On this occasion, the fathers call for a deeper understanding of the faith and its authentic teaching in our parishes, and for tireless work for Christian unity based on the truths of faith proclaimed at Nicaea and preserved by the entire Church throughout the generations.

The fathers discussed the Eiroutho Syriac Vision 2050 project, emphasizing the importance of studying the reality of the Syriac Church globally, particularly in the diaspora, exploring ways to preserve its identity and mission, and developing future strategies that contribute to preserving this ancient Church in the face of growing cultural and ideological challenges.

The Fathers approved the nomination of His Holiness the Patriarch of Very Rev. Raban Barsoum Varghese to be ordained Archbishop of the newly established Syriac Orthodox Malankara Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia, after he was elected by the diocesan bodies and clergy. His ordination will be celebrated at a later date to be determined by His Holiness the Patriarch.

In the end, the Synod Fathers offered their prayers to the Lord God to bless His Church to continue its evangelical message in all times and places and to bestow His peace upon our suffering Middle East and the entire world. As we approach the celebration of the Holy Week and the glorious Feast of the Resurrection, the Holy Synod Fathers extend their heartfelt congratulations to all the children of the Church, asking the Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, who promised us that He would be with us when He said: “And behold, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), to fill the hearts of all with His light and illuminate the darkness of this world with the hope of resurrection, and to return it to all with goodness and blessings.

This news was published on the Facebook page of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.