DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Christmas celebrations in Syria this year have been limited to prayers and masses only due to the events taking place in the country and in respect of the souls of the martyrs who offered their lives to defend the dignity of Syria.
Prayers and masses were held on Tuesday in all churches and places of worship across the country, with Christmas sermons stressing that the awareness of the Syrian people is the element which will achieve victory over the conspiracy targeting all Syrians, and praying for the souls of martyrs and for Syria to remain secure, stable and steadfast.
In St. George Cathedral for the Syriac Orthodox in Damascus, Archbishop Paul al-Souqi, Bishop Jean Qawwaq, and Bishop Matthew al-Khouri held mass, assisted by Father Goerge Kouriye and the students of St. Ephraim Academy and the St. Ephraim the Syriac Choir.
Bishop Matthew al-Khouri delivered a message from Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Patriarch Zakka I Iwas, in which he spoke of the meaning of Christmas which inspires cheer in people, which makes it a duty to spread cheer and mend broke hearts.