Damascus, Syria, Mar 11, 2011 / 01:13 am
Patriarch Gregorios III, head of the Melkite Greek-Catholic Church, is encouraging his faithful to offer their prayers and other Lenten observances for peace in Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia.
The patriarch leads a worldwide flock of 1.6 million Eastern Catholics, most of whom either reside or have roots in Syria and Lebanon. In his Lenten letter for 2011, addressed to all clergy and laity of the Melkite Church, he explained the importance of Christian asceticism in light of current events.
“We can help our people’s way of the cross, sufferings and endurance to become the way of resurrection,” the patriarch wrote.
“Through fasting, prayer, penitence, alms-giving, works of charity and mercy, we accompany the birth-pangs of several of our Arab countries, shaken from the beginning of this year by painful events.”