The church leaders took part in the special Syriac blessing of the water ceremony recited over small bottles of water, later distributed to the worshippers.

In his homily, Bishop Melki said the church in Syria “continues to be a victim of the total chaos and war.”

“We pray fervently day and night for (Christian) unity and peace, especially in Syria, and for the two bishops who have been kidnapped and their release and for others kidnapped elsewhere in the Middle East.”