September 8, 2013
Toronto: Statement by Synod of Bishops on Events in Middle East
The
Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad, having
convened at Holy Trinity Cathedral in
Toronto, Canada, within the holy presence of icons of the Most
Blessed Virgin, the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God and the
Myrrh-Bearing "Softener of Evil Hearts," observes with alarm the
unfolding events in the Middle East, in our thoughts praising the
spiritual feats of the persecuted Christians and new martyrs who
sprinkle their blood upon the earth of their nation, which since
ancient times has glorified the name of Christ. It is known that it
was specifically the members of the Church of Great Antioch, the
ancient followers of Christ, who first became known as "Christians."
And now their pious descendants are in danger, enduring persecutions
for the Faith of their fathers. Anticipating armed intrusion into
the boundaries of their country and condemning it, the Synod of
Bishops calls upon all loyal children of the Russian Church Abroad
to strengthened prayer for peace in Syria and the Near East, for all
the persecuted and suffering for their faith in Christ, for the
relatives of the victims who lay down their lives for God, the
Church, and their neighbors.
Standing in the presence of these wonderworking icons of the Mother
of God and participating in the Church-wide celebration of the 400th
anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty in Holy Trinity Cathedral in
Toronto, we beseech the Most Holy Mother of God that the "Lord grant
strength to His people and bless His people with peace," the peace
about which Christ told the Apostles before His sufferings, the
peace that He left for them. May this divine peace, ethereal and
eternal, reign in the hearts of the Christians of the Near East and
strengthen them, and may their devotion and love inspire in further
carrying out our service, our duties and our life’s cross.
Official website
of the Russian Orthodoc Church Outside of Russia
www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws
Photo: ROCOR Synod of
Bishops 2011 - Synodal Archives
