Syria rules Rome
Syria, History, 5/3/2001

On the occasion of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Syria on May 5 to 8, 2001, Metri Haji Athnasio ( who is also a clergy) has issued a booklet of 32- page under the title " Syria rules Rome." The booklet contains 8 pages in the French language. The booklet is also illustrated by several documented photos for old churches in Damascus. And among these churches are Saint Paul ( Mar Polis) church on the wall of the Eastern gate of Damascus. Saint Hanania church, Saint John the Baptist cathedral. The Icons for Butrous and Polis Saints. The martyred Saint Agnatius of Antioch, Saint John of the " golden mouth," Saint Luke and the photos for several Popes who assumed the Papal post in Rome.

The author talked in details about the contribution of Syria, under Christianity, in building the European civilization. He said that Christ honored the land of Syria when he visited Banias ( in the Golan) at Jordan's spring and near the now liberated Syrian city of al-Quenitra.

The authory also talked about the holiness of the city of Damascus where the Jewish Shaoul converted to Christianity and became ( Saint Paul) and later become the messenger to the nations. He added that Damascus gave birth to renowned Christian scholars like " John the Damascene " and many others.

The Booklet also talked about several Syrians who were martyred in Rome like " Polis the messenger whose head was cut and messenger Butrous who was crucified and John of the Bible who was martyred by being put in a boiling oil and Agnates of Antioch who was torn into pieces by savage animals at the sport playground in the presence of 45,000 audiences.

The booklet indicated that in Syria there were empires who took over the throne in Rome as well as Popes, engineers, artists, intellectuals, theologists and nuns who headed for the west during ages of complete backwardness and ignorance, fleeing repression and there they contributed to building the civilization of the west. The booklet explained that among the Syrian Popes who ruled in Rome were Ivarstius from Antoich, Aniqitous al-Homsi ( from Homs), Theodorus al-Maqdisi, John 5th from Antioch, Serjioun 1st from Antioch; Sesenyous al-Souri ( from Syria ) and Gregarious III al-Finiqi ( the Phoenician ).

The author added that among the Syrian emperors who ruled Rome were Sbatimos Severos 193-211 (AD) Karakalla ( 211- 217); Elaga Balous ( 218- 222) Alexandros Severos ( 222-236) and Julios philipius al-Hourani ( from Houran mount in Syria) or better known ( Philip the Arabian 244- 249, ), besides large number of judges, architectures who designed great monuments in Rome including the palace of justice, the Forum. Teryanous column; Venus temple; Aderianous Basilca, the Pathnion dome which is today the cemetery for great people and Meseh bridge over Danube river and many others.

The book lastly talked about the migration of the Syria "brain drain" who were forced to leave their country Syria and to settle in Europe especially in Italy and France. Among them were nuns, intellectuals, and artists who skilled in the art of painting and Icons.

Bishop Athnasio stressed in his booklet that the Christian Syrians had great role in the human culture towards East and the West and their role was manifested in being a bridge between the ancient Greeks and the Arab conquers and between the Islamic East and the Christian West.

However, the visit of the Pope falls in the course of deepening good relations among churches and encouraging believers to perform their civilization and spiritual role and to continue their humanitarian message in the countries of " a rainbow" ethnic minorities who are united on equal footing. A country proud of close cooperation and reciprocated love and amity between its Christian and Muslim citizens.

Previous Stories:
  Ancient tablets deciphered to enlighten the eastern world   (3/19/2001)
  Golden pieces discovered in Syria date back to the Umayyad era   (3/7/2001)
  Damascus Bimaristan Nureddine: The world's famous 12th century hospital   (12/18/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search