ORTHODOX AUTOCEPHALOUS CHURCH OF ALBANIA
To His Most Holy Beatitude John,
The Patriarch of Antioch and all East,
With deep pain we learned about the tragic barbaric attack of the innocent Orthodox children in
Suqylabiyeh/Hama in Syria, which was carried out by fanatic jihadists – supposedly in God's
name – on a Sunday school during Christian teaching. I wholeheartedly share the infinite pain of
the relatives of the children and of their Shepherd, His Most Holy Beatitude.
On behalf of all the faithful of the Orthodox Church of Albania, we pray from the depths of our
heart that "the Father of Mercy and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us all in our sorrow",
grant eternal life to the innocent victims, and may their families have the comfort that comes
from above and you have the power to continue to endure and patiently support the blessed
Patriarchate of Antioch in its long trials "so that we can comfort those in any trouble, with the
comfort we ourselves receive from God "(2 Corinthians 1: 3-4).
With deep brotherly love forever,
Anastasi,
Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania
