The 22nd April marked the eight-year anniversary of the abduction of a Syriac Orthodox bishop and a Greek Orthodox bishop near Aleppo. The bishops were traveling to negotiate the release of an Armenian Catholic priest and a Greek Orthodox priest who were also abducted when they were seized by Islamists. The Christians of Aleppo, of all denomination and rites, gathered together for prayer to mark the anniversary.

By ACN Staff

On the 22nd of April, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant representatives gathered together at St. Ephrem's Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in Aleppo to pray on the eight-year anniversary of the abduction of two Syrian bishops by Islamists. On the 22nd of April 2013, militants abducted Syriac Orthodox Bishop Youhanna Ibrahim and the Greek Orthodox Bishop Boulos (Paul) Yazji.

Also remembered were Father Michel Kayyal of the Armenian Catholic Church and Father Maher Isshak Mahfouz of the Greek Orthodox Church. Both priests served their respective Christian communities in Aleppo and were abducted by Islamists in February 2013.

The two bishops were abducted after traveling to negotiate for the release of Father Michel Kayyal and Father Maher Isshak Mahfouz. While making their way by car to the meeting place the bishops were stopped at an Islamist checkpoint. The bishop’s car was driven by a deacon who was shot and killed by the Islamists at the checkpoint. It is not known what exactly happened to the two bishops. It is not known if they are alive or dead.

Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) at the ceremony, Archimandrite Mousa Al-Khasi, the Greek Orthodox Vicar in Aleppo, said the following:

“We gathered here to pray for the safe return of Bishop Boulos Yazji and Bishop Youhanna Ibrahim to their archdioceses. This event is sad for all of us. But with the Grace of God and the solidarity of our brothers and sisters, we have hope.  God is the almighty and everything is possible by His Grace.”

ACN’s Executive President, Dr. Thomas Heine-Geldern, spoke on the anniversary:

“During these eight long years the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need has prayed and encouraged its benefactors around the world to come together and to implore in faith for their prompt liberation. We cannot forget them, as St. Paul tell us in his letter to the people of Corinth: If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honoured, all the parts share its joy.”

Archimandrite Mousa Al-Khasi also wished to express his thanks to ACN’s benefactors for the support they have shown Syria’s Christians:

“Thank you, all the members of ACN, for your solidarity and for your help to our people.  It gives us hope, that the feast of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is above all this and it will help us, in these difficult times, to be by Him forever.”