At the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchal Cathedral of the Dormition of Our Lady in al-Zeitoun neighborhood in Damascus, a religious mass was held, presided by His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef al-Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All East of the Melkite Greek Catholics.

Patriarch al-Absi referred, in a speech, to the supreme values of Easter which concentrate on joy, service and charity and appear in justice, peace and forgiveness.

Patriarch al-Absi said that the earthquake, that struck our country and region, killed and displaced and afflicted thousands of people was a reason for unifying the peoples from different segments, religions and countries which came from all direction to extend aid and voice sympathy and solidarity during this plight.

Patriarch al-Absi thanked all individuals and countries that offered aid to the Syrian people, and said “we pray for the victims of the earthquake and for our Christian and Muslims brothers and we ask God to accept their fasting and spread joy on Eid”.

His Beatitude prayed to God Almighty to protect Syria, its people, its army and its leader President Bashar al-Assad, and to have mercy on its martyrs.