AOUN at Inauguration of New Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate: I Will Defend Coexistence And Seek Government That Reflects People's Aspirations

22 Jun 2018

Lebanon - President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, stressed that "the Orient has always been a model of pluralism and religious tolerance, thus becoming become a unique example of cultural interaction and spiritual and religious richness, which requires all of us, especially Christians and Muslims, to preserve and protect it in the context of respect for freedom of belief, and rejection of religious extremism, murder and displacement in the name of religion and God."

President Aoun pledged to "defend the experience of coexistence, balance and mutual respect among the Lebanese."

"I will seek, in cooperation with all factions, the birth of a government that would reflect the aspirations of this people and the existing balance, and mirror a clear picture to the world of our firm determination as political officials on moving forward with the project of reform, transparency, and fight against corruption and corrupters," the President said.

He pointed out that "the Christian ‘bleeding’ in the east has got to stop, and that political and spiritual authorities are called upon to take the necessary measures to prevent draining this land from its people," noting that "any project aimed at creating racial communities based on religious or ethnic monotheism is deemed the definition of endless war."

The President made these remarks during the inauguration of the new patriarchal headquarters of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the town of Al-Atshaneh in Metn's Bekfaya.

Aoun wrote in the Golden Register the following words:

"Following in the footsteps of fathers and forefathers, the Syriacs have pledged themselves for this East, despite the hardships and the horrors of massacres, to serve divine wisdom. They were thus the apostles of Resurrection in Lebanon and abroad.

You are what Lebanon, the homeland of the message, needs to testify to the truth of its existence.

Today, as I share with you Patriarchs, Bishops, Fathers and Brothers, the joy of inaugurating the new headquarters of the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East for the Syriac Orthodox in the world, I pray that you continue to march on the path of faithfulness to your message."