by Christie L. Chicoine
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan challenged Massgoers to hold onto hope and to pray for the safety and well-being of two Orthodox archbishops kidnapped in Syria in late April while carrying out a humanitarian mission.
“Our prayers are singularly fervent this spring morning as I invite all of us to unite in supplication,” Cardinal Dolan said during Mass May 2 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, for Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Paul of Aleppo and Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Gregorios Yohanna of Aleppo.
Both prelates were kidnapped April 22 in northern Syria while on a humanitarian mission to secure the release of two priests – an Armenian Catholic and a Greek Orthodox – kidnapped in February.
The cardinal was joined by Orthodox leaders and other Catholic prelates. The Mass fell on Holy Thursday in the Orthodox Church.
Two Brave Men
“Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, our own United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and our brother Orthodox bishops from around the world have pleaded for prayers for these two brave men,” Cardinal Dolan said in opening remarks.
In his homily, he urged the congregation to remain vigilant in seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis through prayer. “We can never give up, can we, in the cause for justice and peace in that tortured area of the world, the Middle East, that is so dear to God and to his son, Jesus,” he said.
After the Mass, the cardinal and Orthodox and Catholic leaders spoke with news media.
Archbishop Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim of the Syriac Orthodox Church said other than reports that the two archbishops were in good health and numerous promises that they would be released, no other information has been relayed.
Just as they spent Orthodox Palm Sunday in captivity, “they may also spend Easter” in confinement, added the Orthodox archbishop. “But, as his Eminence (Cardinal Dolan) mentioned in the Holy Mass … the early church survived through persecutions and tribulations that came upon the church.”
Mindful of that, it is hoped “that they will be with their flock, with their parishes, as soon as possible,” added the Orthodox archbishop. “We solicit the prayers of all believers throughout the world. Also, we solicit the good services of all those who are in authority, those who can make a difference,” to please intercede “on behalf of the two archbishops and secure their release as soon as possible.”
