Patriarch John of Antioch and all East called for an urgent and extraordinary meeting of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate.
The meeting, presided over by the Patriarch, was held on October 8, 2024, at the St. John of Damascus Theological Institute in Balamand. It was attended by Metropolitans: Elias Aoun (Beirut), Elias Kfoury (Tyre and Sidon), Silouan Moussi (Mount Lebanon), Vassilios Mansour (Akkar), Ephraim Kyriakou (Tripoli and Koura), Silouan Oner (Britain), Anthony El-Souri (Zahle and Baalbek), Athanasius Faht (Latakia), Jacob El-Houri (Argentina), Ephraim Mallouli (Aleppo and Alexandretta), Niphon Saikali (Philippopolis), Gregorios Houri (Homs), and Anthony Saad (Hauran).
The Synod members deliberated on the current situation in the region and released the following statement:
The Synod Fathers express deep sorrow over the devastating impact of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Lebanon. They mourn the destruction and loss of lives, including the martyrdom of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayed Hassan Nasrallah and his aides.
The Fathers denounce the continued violence and crime, urging the international community to intervene for an immediate ceasefire and the enforcement of international resolutions.
They urge the Lebanese Parliament to elect a new President after a prolonged period of waiting, emphasizing the need for national unity and adherence to constitutional norms during these critical times.
The Fathers praise the efforts of official authorities and the medical sector in addressing displacement and treating the injured amidst challenging economic conditions.
They appreciate the spontaneous support from unaffected areas in hosting displaced families and ensuring their safety. They commend the Army, security forces, and civil society for their contributions and call on the global community to assist in facilitating the safe return of displaced individuals.
The Synod Fathers affirm the Church’s solidarity with the people during this crisis, urging all faithful within the Antiochian Church to support relief efforts and offer prayers for Lebanon’s recovery and the restoration of peace and security.
Lastly, they pray for peace to comfort souls, mercy for the martyrs, healing for the sick, strength for medical teams, and divine consolation for all affected individuals.
Source: Patriarchate of Antioch