As-Suwayda-Sana
Within a festive atmosphere on the occasion of Saint Barbara’s Day, prayers, masses, theatrical performances and songs were held at the Monastery and Church of Jesus the King for the Capuchin Fathers in the city of Suwayda, with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the occasion of the birthday of Christ, the Messenger of love and peace.
Archbishop Elias Al-Daba’i, pastor of the Roman Catholic Melkite Diocese of Bosra, Houran and Jabal Al-Arab, pointed out during the mass that was held with the assistance of the pastor of the Church of Jesus the King, Father Fadi Ziadeh and the episcopal representative of the diocese, Father Abdullah Al-Shahid, to the lofty meanings of the feasts of Saints Barbara and John of Damascus, the values of martyrdom and the good example that we can take from them as martyrs and saints For the sake of their faith, praying for Syria, its leader and its army, to have mercy on the martyrs, heal the wounded, and to spread goodness, security, safety and peace throughout Syria, and to keep the danger of the Corona epidemic away from all people.
In a statement to SANA's reporter, Father Ziadeh drew attention to the importance of reviving this occasion due to its humanitarian and faith values that unite people's hearts on love, giving and sacrifice.
On the occasion of Christmas, the Christmas tree was lit in the church yard. It was made of about 4,000 CDs, 9 meters high. Many people from the Suwayda Governorate participated in its implementation, according to Father Ziada, by donating the tablets and helping to make them, to be the first tree of its kind in the world made entirely of discs. Songs and hymns are written on it with pictures of Jesus Christ, and its shape symbolizes the human fabric in the governorate.
The celebration, in which the children wore sweaters with the words “Peace and Goodness” written on it, included the presentation of purposeful theatrical performances directed at children to enhance the spirit of love, solidarity and interdependence among people, along with dances and songs that bring joy and joy to the hearts of the participants, while distributing boiled wheat to them, which symbolizes the new life, with the aim of introducing the biography of the participants. The life of St. Barbara as a lesson for planting the values of love, giving, growth and humility in people's hearts, according to the official at St. Francis Center for Religious Education in the Church, Ruba Kamel.
