During his visit to the Diocese of Aleppo and Alexandretta and its surrounding areas for the Greek Orthodox, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East John X stated that, with the onset of Lent and following the devastating earthquake that struck Aleppo, "the stone is not what matters because the most important for us is the human being. The efforts made by each of you have proven that the storm of the severe earthquake has been replaced by a storm of love, which the diocese has manifested through its members in solidarity, support, acts of love, and service."
He pointed out that "the church will return more beautiful than it was, as well as the houses of the affected believers," urging them to "remain steadfast and resilient," and asking God to "heal the wounded and afflicted and have mercy on the souls of the victims who have perished as a result of this severe earthquake." He praised "the efforts of everyone," affirming that "he will work to rebuild everything that has been destroyed and damaged, but the most important thing is the faithful people who have turned death into life."
Later, the patriarch held an extensive meeting with the diocesan council, the priests, representatives of church activities, and relief committees, where he listened to detailed explanations about the conditions of the diocese’s members and the initiatives and services they have undertaken under the guidance of the diocesan bishop, Archbishop Ephrem, to alleviate the suffering of the people and stand by their side.
