Assyrians Hold Cultural Festival in Turkey

     

Adýyaman(Turkey) – todayszaman — The 10th Great Ritual of the Syriac Kadim Community took place in the eastern Turkish province of Adýyaman on Saturday with the participation of Assyrians from Turkey and abroad.

The ritual was conducted by the patriarchal vicar of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Turkey, Mor Filiksinos Yusuf Çetin, and Metropolitan of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the province of Adýyaman Melki Ürek, who is also responsible for Syriac churches in Þanlýurfa, Malatya, Hatay, Mersin and Elazýð. Assyrians prayed and lighted candles during the ritual, which was held at Mor Petrus-Mor Pavlus Church.

Delivering a speech after the ceremony, Çetin said the ceremony, organized on the occasion of the establishment anniversary of Adýyaman Syriac Church, brought together Syriac communities whose members were born and grew up in Adýyaman and later immigrated to other places.

Stressing the contributions of Syriac communities to the promotion of Adýyaman, Çetin said: “We love the people living in this country and we pray for all of them. We always pray for the peace and development of the country and we pray for the removal of terrorist actions and the maintenance of world peace.”

Çetin added that they faced some problems, as did other communities in Turkey, and that they were in contact with local administrations and the government for their settlement. “Some churches are not active. I hope the government can help us to pray there again. This would make us even happier,” he said, also saying that religious freedom was the cornerstone for a peaceful society. Ürek also gave a speech, saying that they held a very beautiful ceremony. A dinner followed the speeches.