[leareliovag]

Full report at:

http://www.socmnet.org/

Father Boulos Iskander, vicar of the St. Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Church in Mosul was brutally decapitated in Iraq. He was kidnapped by a fanatic Islamic group on Sunday (08 October 2006) apparently in protest against H.H. Pope Benedict's recent speech. They forced the community in Mosul to write 30 large posters denying what His Holiness had cited about Mohammad, the prophet of Islam. Although the community complied with the demand, the fanatics killed the priest.

The Bishop of Mosul H.E. Mor Gregorios Saliba Chamoun received the news of the tragedy during a session of the Holy Synod of Universal Syriac Orthodox Church in Damascus. Mor Gregorios immediately left Damascus to return to Mosul to be with the faithful at this very difficult time.

The decapitated body of Fr. Iskander was found Wednesday evening in an industrial area of the city. His arms showed signs of torture.

"He was a good man and we all shed tears for him," said Eman Saaur, a 45-year-old schoolteacher who said she attended Iskender's church regularly. "He was a man of peace."

Relatives, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the unidentified group that seized Iskander on Sunday had demanded a ransom and that his church condemned a statement made by Pope Benedict XVI last month that ignited waves of anger throughout the Muslim world.

Before Iskander was kidnapped the church already had put up signs condemning the statement and calling for good relations between Christians and Muslims, his relatives said.

Relatives said the priest's oldest son had been in contact with the kidnappers on mobile telephones. He negotiated the ransom payment down to US$ 35,000 and had agreed to pay, but contact abruptly ceased Tuesday night.

Fr Iskander was laid to rest at Mosul's Syriac Orthodox St Ephrem Church. More than 500 people attended a memorial service on Thursday.

[Srewxardsasv]

Dear Peter,

Thank you for drawing our attention to this profoundly shocking story; a tragic example of what happens when hate is fed by religious intolerance. I doubt that any of the murderers had read a word of what Pope Benedict had said, but it was enough for them that their leaders had told them it was anti-Muslim and yet another sign of the hydra-headed Christian conspiracy against Islam; that, and the devil in the hearts, was enough to do this evil act.

Father Iskander joins the (alas too plentiful in that region) ranks of the holy martyrs who have died because of their faith. We shall pray for him, and as k him to intercede for us.

In Christ,

John

[rionetrozasa]

We'll add him to our prayer list, but he is down as two different names on two different sites Father Boulos or Paulos Iskander, although as I was recently reminded God knows the name of the person we are praying for. ...Irene

[leareliovag]

He is the same priest. It is just a different transliteration of his name.

Father Paulos/Baulos Iskander

I wonder what could be and is being done to support the Christians of Iraq at this time?

Best wishes

Peter

[xtc2d6u8]

I wonder what could be and is being done to support the Christians of Iraq at this time?

My guess would be absolutely nothing. However, that might be a good thing. I think hatred for Christians would only intensify if the invading troops were seen as protecting Christians from Muslim agressors. It would only give credence to the false claim that this is a Christian war against Islam and put our brothers in Iraq in even greater danger.

May God accept this blessed man as a holy Shahid and give us all the strength to hold onto the Truth as he did.

In XC,
Kris

[leareliovag]

Dear Kris

I had not even thought of military support to be honest. I agree that is the last thing they need.

I was thinking of spiritual and humanitarian support from Christians in the West.

Peter

[xtc2d6u8]

I was thinking of spiritual and humanitarian support from Christians in the West.

Hi,

I would have thought that any humanitarian support given specifically to Christians, and the fact that the invading armies would almost certainly have to assist in getting such support to our brothers and sisters, the same problem would arise.

So the only support we can give to our fellow Christians is prayer.

I take great comfort in the fact that Orthodox leaders were unanimous in their condemnation of the war (as was the previous Pope of Rome) and perhaps being more vocal with this position will help the Christians of the Middle East.

In XC,
Kris

[leareliovag]

I am not so sure.

When the priest Father Baulos was martyred, his bishop was outside Iraq and therefore is able to travel. I think I will ask Syrian friends what can be done. I am sure that there is contact.

Peter