Chaldean Patriarch
Louis Sako I—Celebrating Christmas in ‘silence and amidst tears’
The feast of the birth of Christ is one of the greatest feasts celebrated
by millions of Christians around the world and particularly in Iraq. But this
year Iraqi Christians will celebrate Christmas in deplorable circumstances, on
the one hand because of the deteriorating condition of the situation of our
country at all levels, and, on the other hand, because of what they have gone
through as Christians, victims of segregation and exclusion.
On this occasion, we want to be very frank again: we will not give in to
injustice. On the contrary, we will remain attached to our land and to our
patriotism and we will continue to show love for our fellow citizens, simply
because they are our brothers and sisters.
In Iraq, we will celebrate the birth of Christ, who will come into our
hearts in silence and amidst tears, without public displays or festive
gatherings; nonetheless, we continue to enjoy an inner peace with perpetuates
the joy of faith, and the hope that, despite all the suffering, we are moving
toward the building of a more just country and a better future.
Melkite Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart of
Aleppo, Syria—‘celebrating the Feast of the Nativity as bombs are raining down’
Here we are, for a
fifth year now, celebrating the Feast of the Nativity as bombs are raining
down. I do not know how many of you have lived through such a depressing and
sad experience, but I can assure you it is painful. These beautiful days, so
ardently awaited each year, amidst shortages and lack of security or
electricity and, to top things off, cut off from the rest of the world by a
strict and very tight boycott. It gives me still more reason to step out from
these confines, if only for a few moments, to draw in some fresh and pleasant
air in writing you these words from the heart, invested with all the affection
I have for you!
May Almighty God have pity
on all of us and may He cause friendship to reign among men, mercy in our
hearts and peace among all the peoples on earth.
Maronite Archbishop Samir Nassar of
Damascus—‘This year Christmas in Damascus merges with the Resurrection’
The name of the first
of three new Maronite churches in Damascus is Church of the Blessed Masabky
Brothers, who were martyred in 1860. The church will be consecrated in
Kachkoul, an eastern suburb of Damascus, on Jan. 8, 2015. In the middle of
destruction this new chapel appears like the Star of the magi which leads to
the Divine Child.
It is a true Christmas
present, an oasis of prayer and a sign of joy and of hope in the middle of a
world of violence, of intolerance, anguish, fear and death. To build a Church
in times of war and desolation expresses the will to overcome death and the
courage of living the faith. Our modest faithful choose to row against the
current and to renew their confidence in Jesus Christ in this dark night. This
year Christmas in Damascus merges with the Resurrection.
With picture of Christmas in Iraq 2015 (© ACN)
Editor’s Notes:
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