"A person who has no homeland is nothing", says Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Luke, an Arab Born in Syria.
His forefathers were Orthodox Christians long before Islam came to this land. We are talking in the Maronite Cathedral in the Old City of Damascus.On October 21, 2012, a car bomb exploded here in the Christian neighbourhood near Bab Tuma gate, killing 13 people. The explosion happened during the UN and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi's visit to Syria. Just like during Obama's visit to the Middle East a suicide bomber killed a prominent Sunni preacher Mohammad al-Buti and his students at the Eman Mosque on March 21.The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch was created two thousand years ago, and is the largest and the most ancient Christian church in the East. All its adherents are Syrian Arabs. The Cathedral was built in the first century AD. Parishes of the Patriarchate can be found all over the world - in the US, South America, Australia, and Europe.
Metropolitan Luke is Speaking Arabic, using the usual Muslim expressions, such as "insha'Allah", Which Means "God willing";"ziyarat", Which stands for "a pilgrimage to Holy Site", " Alhamdulillah ", Meaning " to praise God". He Greets People with "as-Salam alaykum" and calls the Muslims HIS Brothers. Metropolitan Luke is the Patriarch's right hand. His area of Responsibility is the Cathedrals of Saidnaya and Maaloula, which have one of the oldest icons in the world. Removing your shoes before entering these cathedrals is a must, just like in a mosque. But it's impossible to get to them now.
Metropolitan Luke is Speaking Arabic, using the usual Muslim expressions, such as "insha'Allah", Which Means "God willing";"ziyarat", Which stands for "a pilgrimage to Holy Site", " Alhamdulillah ", Meaning " to praise God". He Greets People with "as-Salam alaykum" and calls the Muslims HIS Brothers. Metropolitan Luke is the Patriarch's right hand. His area of Responsibility is the Cathedrals of Saidnaya and Maaloula, which have one of the oldest icons in the world. Removing your shoes before entering these cathedrals is a must, just like in a mosque. But it's impossible to get to them now.
http://rt.com/op-edge/syria-church-luke-attack-868/