Support for abducted Syrian hierarchs spreads
The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America called for ongoing prayers reflecting the growing support for Metropolitan Paul Yazigi of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo and Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo, who were abducted on April 22, 2013 while traveling together on the road between Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) and the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. The driver of the vehicle in which they were traveling was killed in the attack.
“We also encourage people to sign and promote the on-line petition, calling for United States government action on behalf of the abducted metropolitans,” read a release dated April 29 on the Archdiocese’s web site. “Support and attention for Archbishop Paul and Archbishop John continues to grow.”
In related news, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America has published a joint letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry. Similar statements by other hierarchs are posted on the Archdiocese’s web site.
Additional information will be posted as it is received.