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Targeted News Service
September 13, 2013 Friday 11:10 PM EST
Syrian Families From Historic Christian Town Seek Relief and Refuge
>From Fighting
BALTIMORE
The International Orthodox Christian Charities issued the following
news release:
For centuries the Syrian town of Maaloula has been a peaceful enclave
of coexistence among Christian and Muslim neighbors, and one of the
few places where Aramaic, the ancient language of Christ, is still
spoken. That peace was shattered this past week when the country's
conflict spilled into the area and threatened the safety of the more
than 2,000 people who live there. Many of the townspeople managed to
escape Maaloula before the roads were closed, while others found
themselves outside of the town unable to return to their homes. It is
unknown how many families remain trapped in Maaloula, but those who
were able to flee describe the situation they left behind as being
harrowing.
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in cooperation with
the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (GOPA) is
assessing the urgent needs of the Syrian families displaced from
Maaloula. To date, IOCC/GOPA has registered more than 300 displaced
families from Maaloula who gathered at the Church of the Holy Cross in
Damascus.
Speaking on behalf of the Patriarchate, His Grace Bishop Efram
Maalouli offered reassurance to all those seeking relief. "Assisting
the needy is one of the first priorities that Jesus Christ called for,
and affirms the calling of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch
and All the East to continually extend a helping hand to all the
people of Syria - Muslims and Christians of all sects and
denominations," said Bishop Efram as he stressed the importance of
prayer for peace for the people of Syria. "We share in the pain of the
displaced families from Maaloula."
With 18 field offices across the country, IOCC/GOPA supports one of
the largest established networks to deliver life-saving humanitarian
aid inside Syria where more than 7 million people are currently in
need of assistance. In addition to its work inside Syria, IOCC staff
is on the ground working regionally to address the growing needs of
more than two million refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Armenia as
well as people in need in those host countries.
Contact: Rada K. Tierney, IOCC Media Relations, 443/823-3489, [email protected]
September 13, 2013 Friday 11:10 PM EST
Syrian Families From Historic Christian Town Seek Relief and Refuge
>From Fighting
BALTIMORE
The International Orthodox Christian Charities issued the following
news release:
For centuries the Syrian town of Maaloula has been a peaceful enclave
of coexistence among Christian and Muslim neighbors, and one of the
few places where Aramaic, the ancient language of Christ, is still
spoken. That peace was shattered this past week when the country's
conflict spilled into the area and threatened the safety of the more
than 2,000 people who live there. Many of the townspeople managed to
escape Maaloula before the roads were closed, while others found
themselves outside of the town unable to return to their homes. It is
unknown how many families remain trapped in Maaloula, but those who
were able to flee describe the situation they left behind as being
harrowing.
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in cooperation with
the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (GOPA) is
assessing the urgent needs of the Syrian families displaced from
Maaloula. To date, IOCC/GOPA has registered more than 300 displaced
families from Maaloula who gathered at the Church of the Holy Cross in
Damascus.
Speaking on behalf of the Patriarchate, His Grace Bishop Efram
Maalouli offered reassurance to all those seeking relief. "Assisting
the needy is one of the first priorities that Jesus Christ called for,
and affirms the calling of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch
and All the East to continually extend a helping hand to all the
people of Syria - Muslims and Christians of all sects and
denominations," said Bishop Efram as he stressed the importance of
prayer for peace for the people of Syria. "We share in the pain of the
displaced families from Maaloula."
With 18 field offices across the country, IOCC/GOPA supports one of
the largest established networks to deliver life-saving humanitarian
aid inside Syria where more than 7 million people are currently in
need of assistance. In addition to its work inside Syria, IOCC staff
is on the ground working regionally to address the growing needs of
more than two million refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Armenia as
well as people in need in those host countries.
Contact: Rada K. Tierney, IOCC Media Relations, 443/823-3489, [email protected]