The Eight Franciscan Monks and the Three Massabki Maronite Brothers.
The date of July 10 is considered an important day for the Church of St. Paul’s- Bab Touma, not only for the parishioners but for all of Damascus.
As in previous years, we came together in love through a special spiritual and fraternal program, especially in light of the announcement of the canonization of the martyrs of Damascus: the eight Franciscan monks and the three Massabki Maronite Brothers.
The program began with a documentary about the martyrdom of the eleven blessed. This was followed by a celebratory Mass presided over by Bishop Hanna Jallouf, the Apostolic Vicar of the Latin Church, in Damascus, with the participation of Bishop Samir Nassar, head of the Maronite Church in Damascus, Bishop Youhanna Jihad Battah, head of the Syriac Catholic Church in Damascus, and Bishop George Assadourian, head of the Armenian Catholic Church in Damascus.
Also present was Archimandrite Michel Khoury, representing His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Absi, as well as Monsignor Victor, acting head of the papal embassy in Damascus, and a large number of priests, consecrated individuals, and believers.
Following the Mass, there was a procession through the old neighbourhoods of Damascus, which witnessed the painful events that took the lives of thousands of the city’s residents. During the procession, there were reflections inspired by the occasion and stories of the lives of some of the Franciscan martyrs and the Massabki Maronite Brothers.
It is worth mentioning that His Holiness Pope Francis declared October 20 of this year as the date for the canonization of these martyrs, making them among the first saints honoured by the Church worldwide. We, in Syria and in Damascus specifically, honour them and seek their intercession for peace in our hearts, our families, and our country.
