With utter disbelief and great sadness we received the news of the unprecedented and horrific crimes being committed these days against Christians and minority Islamic groups – Alawites and Shiites, in ancient and martyred Syria.
For us, Orthodox Christians, every person, regardless of faith or nation, is an icon of God and a guardian of the sanctity of life. Hence our sorrow is far greater, because in recent days thousands of innocent and unprotected Syrians have become victims of torture and suffering at the hands of those who are now the official authorities.
I have said many times, and I repeat now, that the East and the West are connected courts and that the current suffering of the people in Syria can easily be transferred to other parts of the world. Therefore, I cry out and appeal from the throne of the greatest peacemaker in the Serbian people – Saint Sava, to all responsible actors both in Syria and in the international community to urgently take concrete steps to protect the endangered population and stop the atrocities.
I also ask the entire Serbian Church, our people and clergy, to add to our Lenten feat sincere prayers for the repose of the souls of all Syrian sufferers and for the comfort and protection of all their loved ones. By praying for their well-being and for peace in their country, we will show ourselves as true children of the Heavenly Father and as true multipliers and guardians of peace and goodness in the overall chaos of today.
I express my special prayerful, compassionate and fraternal love and support to the true friend of the Church of Saint Sava, His Beatitude Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Mr. John, and his holy clergy who fearlessly, like the martyrs of the first centuries, bear witness anew to the love of God.

AEM and Serbian Patriarch
Porphyrije

Source: Serbian Orthodox Church