These candles held by the nuncio to Damascus and several other Syrian religious united the same spirit as and this person.
The pope and thousands of others have lit candles to shed light on the darkness of the war in Syria. Above all, the goal is to draw attention to the tragedy millions of people, especially children, are suffering.
CARD. MARIO ZENARI
Apostolic Nuncio in Damascus
'This conflict has been a massacre for children. They are the ones who have paid the highest price for this war. Both children and women... For this reason, the pope's gesture and this meeting at the Polish embassy was beautiful. Both help keep alive this flame of Syrian youth and children.'
All these candles are part of Aid to the Church in Need's campaign, 'Candles for peace in Syria.' Some 50,000 children from various Syrian cities and from different religions have painted drawings of peace that have been attached to their candles.
The Pontifical Foundation united with the Embassy of Poland to the Holy See as a group of ambassadors who heard, at first-hand, the harrowing testimonies coming from Syria. The country has suffered for eight years as part of what the UN calls the worst war of this century.
SR. ANNIE DEMERJIAN
Jesus Maria Congregation
'Three millions children were born during the war and they know nothing except violence, hatred and death.'
MSGR. DENYS ANTOINE CHAHDA
Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo
'Why were the lives of all these people destroyed? We ask the world to be just.'
In addition to the testimonies, there were emotional moments like this connection with children from a Syrian school. They sang 'Silent Night.'
They also sang the “Our Father” in Aramaic, Christ's language, as the Syrian-Catholic archbishop of Aleppo sang along.
In addition to lighting a real candle for these little ones during this Christmas season, it is also possible to light a virtual one to join the campaign through the website candlesforsirya.org. It's an initiative to remember that the darkness of war does not have the last word.
