{"id":713,"date":"2012-08-03T23:06:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-03T23:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/syrian-christians-begin-traditional-fast-amid-continuing-violence\/"},"modified":"2012-08-03T23:06:00","modified_gmt":"2012-08-03T23:06:00","slug":"syrian-christians-begin-traditional-fast-amid-continuing-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2012\/08\/syrian-christians-begin-traditional-fast-amid-continuing-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"Syrian Christians begin traditional fast amid continuing violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Damascus, Syria, Aug 3, 2012 \/ 05:06 pm (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- The head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church encouraged Syria's Eastern Catholics to offer prayers for peace during their church's traditional August 1\u201314 fasting period in honor of the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n

\tDuring the run-up to the August 15 feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God (known in the West as the Assumption), Melkite Catholics will be \u201cpraying especially for the safety of all Syrians and for the cessation of the violence,\u201d Patriarch Gregorios III said in a letter marking the two-week fast.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWe pray too during this period for the return of charity, friendship, fellowship and compassion among all citizens,\u201d wrote the patriarch, whose headquarters are located in the Syrian capital Damascus.<\/p>\n

\tHe called for liturgical services to be supplemented with \u201cspecial litanies for peace and reconciliation,\u201d and for the faithful \u201cto participate in these services, with fasting, prayer and repentance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tSyrians, he said, \u201c are still capable of loving and forgiving each other, being reconciled and showing tolerance to one another \u2026 United together, they can rebuild what has been destroyed and work for development and prosperity, for a better future for all citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe patriarch's prayer is for \u201ca renewed, free, secure, conciliatory Syria, in which citizens regardless of group, party, religion or affiliation can enjoy freedom, dignity, employment and education.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tIn recent weeks, fighting has escalated in the country's capital Damascus and in the commercial capital Aleppo. The battles have brought shortages of food, water, and fuel, causing an estimated 400,000 people to flee their homes.<\/p>\n

\tViolence was reported in both cities, as well as the city of Hama, on Aug. 3. It followed former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan's Aug. 2 announcement that he was leaving his peacemaking position as a special envoy to the country, after attempts to broker a truce between rebels and government forces.<\/p>\n

\tThe Melkite Greek Catholic Church, one of the largest Eastern churches in union with Rome, is working to help Syrian refugees in association with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.<\/p>\n

\tIn his letter marking the Dormition Fast, Patriarch Gregorios pointed out that the ancient Christian fast partly overlapped this year with the Muslim celebration of Ramadan. The Islamic fast began July 20 this year, and will run until Aug. 18.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cOnce again Christians and Muslims are fasting and praying at the same time,\u201d the patriarch wrote. \u201cThat is one of the most beautiful marks and signs of their living together in solidarity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tAs he wished all of his faithful a holy fast, the Patriarch summed up his hope with words drawn from an ancient Byzantine prayer.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cO Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance. Grant peace to thy world! Grant peace to Syria! By thy Cross, preserve thy people!\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Damascus, Syria, Aug 3, 2012 \/ 05:06 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- The head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church encouraged Syria's Eastern Catholics to offer prayers for peace during their church's traditional August 1–14 fasting period in honor …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-middle-east-africa"],"yoast_head":"\nSyrian Christians begin traditional fast amid continuing violence<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Damascus, Syria, Aug 3, 2012 \/ 05:06 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- The head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church encouraged Syria's Eastern Catholics to offer prayers for peace during their church's traditional August 1–14 fasting period in honor ...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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