(ANSAmed) - NICOSIA, SEPTEMBER 4 - Christianity is at stake,
especially in Syria, said here Monday Archbishop Chrysostomos,
warning that if extremists prevail in Syria, minorities and
Christians will feel the repercussions. The Archbishop, as
Famagusta Gazette reports, said this is something which greatly
concerns the Orthodox churches of the region. Archbishop
Chrysostomos, together with the Patriarchs of Alexandria and All
Africa Theodoros and Jerusalem and all Palestine Theofilos,
speaking during a press conference, explained the vision, aims
and expectations of the Orthodox Initiative, in the framework of
the political and socio-economic changes that are developing
nowadays in the wider Middle East region. As part of the common
action of the orthodox churches of the Middle East, groups with
youth from the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and
Jerusalem, are on the island to take part in a common programme
for youth from the Church of Cyprus. The "Orthodox Initiative",
formed earlier this year, aims at strengthening cooperation
between the churches with Christians in the Middle East.Asked if
developments in the Middle East are posing a danger for
Christians, Archbishop Chrysostomos replied: "Certainly
Christianity is in danger, especially in Syria". The three
church leaders said that the number of Syrian refugees that has
arrived in Jordan is around 20,000, adding that the church will
be sending a container to Jordan with clothing, toys, blankets
and other items for the refugees in Jordan. (ANSAmed).
