Melkite Patriarch warns about escalation of violence in Syria / Православие.Ru

Damascus, May 30, 2013

The Melkite Patriarch Gregory III Laham has spoken about the worsening situation of Christians in Syria after the war broke out. According to his information, over 1000 Christians have been killed in the country, over 40 Churches and other Christian institutions have been destroyed since 2011, reports the Daily Star. More than 300,000 Christians have fled the country.

The recent kidnapping of two Christian Hierarchs in Syria, according to the Patriarch, reflects not only growing cruelty caused by the civil war in Syria, but also an escalation of the crisis for Christians in all the Arab world.

Gregory III feels certain that it is still possible to settle the Syrian conflict through dialogue. Officials, politicians and representatives of religious communities are still able to sit down to talks.