syriac-catholic-bishops

"Qaraqosh and the other cities of the Nineveh Plain have been for a long time places of peace and coexistence. We Christians are unarmed, and as Christians we have not fueled any conflict or had any problem with the Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds and other realities that form the Iraqi country. We just want to live in peace, work with everyone and respect everyone."

"Before the tragedy being experienced by our people, I appeal to the consciences of political leaders around the world, to international organizations and to all men of good will: it is necessary to intervene immediately to put a stop to the deterioration of the situation, working not only at a humanitarian level, but also politically and diplomatically. Every hour, every day lost, is likely to make all unrecoverable. Inaction becomes complicity with crime and abuse of power. The world cannot turn a blind eye to the tragedy of people who have fled from their homes in a few hours, taking with them only the clothes they are wearing."

"We are in a phase of extreme suffering. We hope that Western countries assume a right position before this tremendous crisis in Syria. The "right" position is to reject all forms of violence, stop the weapons, not to put one against the other, defending and protecting human rights."

"The Church has gone in search of lost sheep, with patience and perseverance, full of love. Encourage and accept the participation of the lay faithful, because they contribute to the work in the field of the Lord."

"The Church must be the presence of Christ in the country. If we Christians flee when the situation is difficult, then we don’t give that necessary witness. And if the generations are uprooted then they will never return."

"As men of the Church, we cannot incite Christians to take up arms and to take part in the conflict. We cannot say these things, it is insane. It goes against the Gospel and the Christian doctrine. The situation in which we find ourselves, every individual, even Christian, is free to make his own choices according to conscience."

"The only path to take to placate violence is dialogue. Only then will we be able to isolate these extremist groups and become a tolerant country. Now we must seek to be close to our small community and give ourselves strength and encouragement."

"I can't leave my people, though I understand completely why they are going. The situation has become intolerable."

"Our people, they do need the presence of the Catholic Church, this is the task of the Catholic Church today, to be the Good Samaritan."

"But what need is there to speak of the ascetics,"

"Abba Arsenius for God’s sake conversed with no one,"

"If you wish to hold fast to stillness,"

"The sweetness of prayer is one thing,"

"On pure prayer:"

"The soul that loves God finds rest only in God."

"There is nothing so capable of banishing the inveterate habits of licentiousness from our soul,"

"O, how evil for hesychasts is the sight of men and intercourse with them!"

"Fire that has flared up in dry wood is difficult to put out,"

"As it is not possible to cross over the great ocean without a ship,"

"The man whose tongue is inclined to silence will acquire a humble discipline in all his habits"

"When a sailor voyages in the midst of the sea, he watches the stars,"

"As grass and fire cannot co-exist in one place,"

"True is the word of the Lord which declares"

"Question Whence does a man perceive that he has attained to humility?"

"Life in the world is like a manuscript of writings that is still in rough draft."

"The man who follows Christ in solitary mourning is greater than he who praises Christ amid the congregations of men."

"Let us then love stillness, my brethren,"

"When the power of stillness overshadows you on account of prolonged abiding in your cell,"

"Once an elder was asked, ‘What is repentance?’"

"The whole length of the night is as the day to them,"

"Be peaceful within yourself,"

"Thus you will discover that the mind’s wings sprout up in the womb of chastity,"

"Just as presumption dissipates the soul through imaginings that distract her,"

"Again he was asked, ‘How can a man acquire humility?’"

"Love is the offspring of knowledge of the truth which, as is commonly confessed, is given to all."

"If you are truly merciful, do not grieve inwardly when you are unjustly deprived of something you possess,"

"A humble man is never pleased to see gatherings, confused crowds, tumult, shouts and cries, opulence, adornment, and luxury, the cause of insobriety;"

"A humble man is never rash, hasty, or perturbed,"

"Prayer does not consist only of the repeating ,"

"Accordingly, as I have said above, when—"

"The non-intellectual light is the light that belongs to the elements."

"The light of contemplation proceeds along"

"Let the following prayer not cease from your heart night or day:"

"Wonder of mind follows on from a solitary abode,"

"What watering is to plants, exactly the same is continual silence for the growth of knowledge."

"The “noetic cloud” is the intellect that is smitten with wonder"

"The aim of psalmody should be serene conversation with God"

"The aim of contemplation of the world to come is to be seen in the coming into being of the holy angels—"

"How feeble is the power of ink and the traces of the letters to indicate in writing the precise nature of action,"

"But when his mind progresses in subtle reflection upon the world to come,"