The Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic, Dr. Maher Al-Sharaa, offering condolences to His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X:
"We convey to you the condolences of the President of the Republic for the martyrs of St. Elias Church in Dweilaa, and we affirm our solidarity and standing together hand in hand to build the future of Syria"
Damascus – August 13, 2025
His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, received Dr. Maher Al-Sharaa, Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic, who was sent as an envoy by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa of the Syrian Arab Republic, leading a presidential delegation at the Patriarchate in Damascus. Dr. Maher Al-Sharaa conveyed the President’s condolences for the Martyrs of St. Elias Church in Dweilaa, Damascus, affirming that this crime undermines the spirit of coexistence in Syria. He also expressed the President’s appreciation for His Beatitude Patriarch John X and for the authentic Christian community, which regards the Patriarchate in Damascus as a symbol of its identity and a testimony to its pioneering role in the history of the East.
For his part, His Beatitude welcomed Dr. Al-Sharaa and the accompanying delegation, asking that his greetings and appreciation be conveyed to the President of the Republic. He stressed the significant and deep-rooted role of Christians in Syria and in the East. He also affirmed that the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East has consistently endeavored, throughout its history and with unwavering commitment, to stand alongside the people of this homeland, regardless of the logic of majority and minority. The meeting was also an opportunity to reaffirm the bonds of fraternity and mutual engagement, and to discuss pressing issues as well as both international and domestic developments.
This news was originally published on the Facebook Page of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.