[bestworkothlo]

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn....rum/?hpt=wo_t2

This is from CNN called " Syria’s Christian conundrum"

Kind regards

Aaron

[Peterli]

Pertinent to this is also the assessment of one of the hierarchs of the Jerusalem Patriarchate recounted by Fr Andrew Philips in his account of the recent visit of a delegation from ROCOR to Russia in order to meet with the Church representatives there to resolve ongoing internal issues. In the course of their visit, they met with Metropolitan Vladimir of St Petersburg and they are joined at dinner by Archbishop Theodosius of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Here is Fr Andrew's account:

Then we walk across to the Metropolia, where Metr Vladimir awaits us for dinner. 81 years old and born in Kazakhstan, he asks Archbishop Theodosius, the only Arab bishop of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, who is accompanying us, about the situation in Syria. (They speak in English, though the Metropolitan needs a little translation help). Years ago Metr Vladimir spent nearly two years in Damascus as a priest. Archbishop Theodosius confirms that if President Assad falls, Christians will be forced to leave completely, for many have already been massacred there by the American-armed Muslim fanatics. It will be the end of the Patriarchate of Antioch in Syria. Already forced out of Antioch (which is in Turkey), instead of being the Patriarchate of Damascus, as it actually has been for decades, it will be the Patriarchate of somewhere else – although still retaining the historic title ‘of Antioch’. Fr David

[gariharrr]

May the Lord have mercy on all the Church in Syria and help the country find peace.

In Christ.
Daniel

[Preegovesem]

Bishop Luke Habib-Khoury of the Patriarchate of Antioch went to Moscow in February to thank the Russian government for its stand against the USA's policy on Syria.

[AlistDakisa]

May the Lord have Mercy indeed, not only in Syria, but also the other parts of the Middle East. And more so, His Mercy upon the Orthodox Churches that seem more institutional than a source of life to the spirit of man. May the Lord have mercy....

[chuecfafresslds]

May the Lord have Mercy on all Christians, especially those in such uncertain places.
ICXC
A.

[immoceefe]

The Patriarchate of Antioch has historically backed the secular dictatorship of the Baathists, seeing it in their own best interest. I'm not saying that the Christians in Syria will get what they deserve if persecuted or tossed out. I'm simply saying that it's a complicated historical situation. The real issue is whether or not Orthodox around the world will come to their aid. I confess to being a bit cynical about the chances of that. What would likely happen is that those who have the money to do so will move to Britain or the U.S. or Canada. The people without funds will be left to fend for themselves.

Meanwhile, CNN seems to be heavily lobbying for U.S. intervention.

What we've seen over the past century in Muslim countries is first there is a radical leftist secular revolution against a more or less moderate Islamic monarchy or sheikdom, often funded and supported by the Soviets, which in time lacks popular support -- in part due to impovershment, while the new surge in Islamic radicalism begins to transform popular attitudes until the time is ripe for a takeover. Who knows what will follow?

[Preegovesem]

If the US succeeds in displacing Assad through its support for the Syrian rebels, it will achieve its regional objectives of limiting or preventing Russian development and use of its naval base at Tartus, and increasing its stance against Iran (which is supported by the Gulf states). Incidentally, part of the Orthodox Church and other Christians will suffer as they did in Iraq.