Syrian Orthodox Church and Christian School Destroyed in Mesopotamia

Metropolitan Archbishop Eustathius Matta Roham Says Country Will Be Left in Ruins

DEIR EZZOR, February 01, 2013 (Zenit.org) - A Syrian Orthodox Church located in a town in Mesopotamia was destroyed several days ago. St. Mary's Church and the Christian school of Al-Wahda in Deir Ezzor was located in the center of fighting that has caused the mass exodus of the civilian population.

In a report by Fides News Agency, Metropolitan Archbishop Eustathius Matta Roham of Jazirah and Euphrates stated that "it is a very sad day for me and for the whole community."

The two buildings were hit and destroyed in the crossfire between the army and rebel groups. Local sources have reported to Fides that Mesopotamia is experiencing a "slow death" and that the entire civilian populations, which include Arabs, Christians, Kurds are paying a very high price.

"This fierce war is above all a war against our civilization. It is a conflict where everyone loses, in the destruction of our beloved country. If the rebels or the regime think they can win, in the end, I think we will only have a country in ruins, with thousands of orphans, widows, poor people and especially destabilized by enmity in society," Archbishop Matta Roham said.

The Metropolitan Archbishop also addressed those fighting in the conflict. "Who will rebuild all that we have built over decades of hard work? And how long will it take? Who will build deteriorated social relations? We ask for the prayers of all Christians in the world, in order to regain peace in Syria," the Archbishop said.