DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Members of the Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch called upon all parties in Syria to halt violence and start a peaceful dialogue, which constitutes a basis for any reform and solution to the crisis.

In a statement concluding a meeting in Lebanon on Sunday, members of the Holy Synod expressed pain over what is going on in Syria, "the home of Syriac civilization and culture which embraces the Holy See of Syriac Antioch," stressing that prayers to God are the best thing that can be done during these severe circumstances.

They pointed out that immigration from the homeland is "a lethal bleeding that erases identity, threatens existence in the land of the forefathers and kills the deep-rooted heritage."

The participants in the Holy Synod meeting emphasized that the Middle East is their homeland of which they are proud, being the land where Jesus Christ was born and forefathers had lived establishing the first civilizations.

They also expressed sorrow over the chaos, difficulties and turmoil in this land, not to mention violation of human dignity and the sanctity of holy places and religious, social and national establishments.

The clarified that the only spokesman for the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch is the Holy Synod, chaired by His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.

Members of the Holy Synod reviewed the situation of the Syriac Church in the world, and particularly in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

R. Milhem / H. Said