Armenia, Egypt, Irak, Lebanon, Syria

Missions news – August 2024

Armenia

Volunteers help Khachik, an armenian apostolic deacon in weeding the medieval fortress of Ambred in the Aragatsotn region.

Nestled in the breathtaking mountains more than 2,000 metres above sea level, the Vahmarashen Church and the fortress opposite it date back to the 7th century. Majestically perched above the lush Ararat Valley, the fort’s name is derived from its environment, Amberd, which literally means ‘cloud fortress’.

Its construction lasted for centuries and was used for defensive purposes, especially during the Roman and Christian periods. King Achut Erkat (Iron Achut) was the first king to inhabit the fortress, which has three floors with large staircases. The termal baths were added in the 13th century AD and are located outside the fort.

“From here, green plains and valleys stretch as far as the eye can see, and cows graze peacefully in the middle of the roads leading to the fort, where we meet the friendly staff responsible for maintaining the place. Here, time flies by over a coffee or an invitation to lunch.

As soon as we arrived, deacon Khachik invited us to drink the herbal tea that he had prepared from dried mountain flowers. We then began our task of maintaining the building and refurbishing the khachkar, a traditional Armenian stone cross. Khachik, a former soldier in Artsakh, is the only one who maintains the place, in order to keep it well for tourists from all over the world to enjoy. Khachik needs our help with weeding, cleaning the stone walls and removing dirt from the stairs. Under a scorching sun and cicadas sounds, Khachik happily joined us.

We left Fort Amberd with a heavy heart at the end of the day, leaving behind a kind, hospitable and wonderful deacon.”

Syria

SOS Chrétiens d'Orient Cultural Centre in Aleppo is a beehive.

Since the opening of our cultural centre in Aleppo, our music, language and visual arts classrooms are full-house. Today, volunteers will take you on a tour of the centre.

“French and Arabic words blend into one happy melody. From the little ones who come to learn their first drawing lesson, to the adults carving blocks of stone in the basement, they all share one passion: the desire to learn and acquire a new skill.

In the music rooms, students of all ages learn to play an instrument for free under the guidance of teachers. Violins, pianos, flutes and guitars, as well as traditional oriental instruments such as the qanun and oud. The notes echo in our organisation’s office in Aleppo, where sweet oriental melodies blend with French grammar.

As for the French language, five specialised teachers offer French language classes, ranging from the basics of the language to long conversations with volunteers. The presence of Francophonie is palpable in the Aleppo office. The most diligent Aleppines turning up several times a week for classes, and progressing quickly, expressing their love for France.

Visual arts and stone carving classes stimulate students’ creativity, with children delighting in sketching their first doodles before they are able to depict landscapes or historic castles. For some people, stone carving offers the opportunity to master new skills and start a new career. Like one of our Level 3 students, who has carved beautiful pieces with patience and dedication.’

Lebanon

A day of volunteer activity with disabled people at Beitna Centre in Beirut.

“We arrived at the Beitna Centre where residents were having already many activities, mostly handicrafts such as sewing, knitting, making bracelets and necklaces. Despite our fears of not finding the right words and being clumsy, we soon felt confident thanks to the kindness of the residents.

Adam went on to join Michel in a game of Kapla, only to demolish them once they were finished by blowing on them. Eloi was improving his Arabic with Maria, and Hombeline was trying to learn how to knit with Sadna, who is a meticulous knitter. After several failed attempts, she finally managed to knit her first line… Sadna doesn’t hide her impression of the poor quality of the knitting, but Hombeline doesn’t shy away from her partner’s honesty and goes on to meet other guests! Their infectious humour, laughter and smiles made us forget about their disabilities and speech difficulties.

Each of us tried to do different activities with our new friends. Eloi realised that the music, which is supposed to calm the residents, could be replaced by a more energetic rhythm. So he put his hands on the computer and made us dance, poorly but very happily. It didn’t take long for the guests to take us into their own hands; Elie monopolised Marie and tried to organise a round of games, Eloi coordinated a meeting with another Elie. Hombeline invited someone to a waltz, and Adam tried to distract Michel from the wooden figures that had surely fascinated him. While Agathe was filming the scene with a mischievous spirit without missing a beat.

We also take the opportunity to choose some simple French music and songs so that everyone can participate. It was time for the famous worm dance, a French tradition, in which a large number of guests participated. We ended the day tired but very happy.”

Iraq

Volunteers renovate the crypt of the Syriac Orthodox Monastery of St. Matthew the Syriac.

“You who overlook the valleys, who crown Mount Alfaf, who are the refuge of lost sheep, it is you I come to visit. Mar Matti, Saint Matthew, you are a monastery older than the world. Did they know, when they built you thousands of years ago in 363, that in 2024 you would still be here, sustained by the living force of the monks? Did they know that two millennia later, the Syriac Orthodox who guard you would still be here, praying the offices of day and night? Did they know that the faithful and the consecrated would have to live through and survive multiple massacres, or destruction, as happened in 1171, or more recently by the men under the black flag?

You who have seen tens of thousands of workers toil to build you, imposing and majestic, of gray marble from Mosul, whose quarries are visible from the height of your walls, of stones extracted so close to you, and of gilding, magnifying and glorifying the King of Heaven and Earth, it is humbly that today, I too come to place my stone in the edifice.

Dear monastery, you have suffered so much, you have resisted so much. Dear monastery, I have come to help you. We were told the other day that your crypt is in bad shape: it seems that the plaster is falling from your arches, that the marble is tearing away. Dear monastery, are you tired of living? Are you weary of your history? Yet now is not the time to give up; oh, if only you knew the hope you give to the faithful who gaze upon you, perched on your mountain! No, I am here for you. And I come well-equipped.

I have no training in masonry; I have never worked in construction, but nothing will stop me. I will try, and together, we will rebuild you. I test the jackhammer to remove the plaster that suffocates you from your vaults, but I fear hurting you—you seem so fragile. So, to let you rest a bit, I gather the heap of plaster littering the floor and throw it out the window, into a large bin.

Dear monastery, the work we do for you exhausts us, it hurts us, but we know for whom we do it. We do it for you, so that you may remain for two more millennia atop the plains of Nineveh, so that the Christians of the East may contemplate you for two more millennia and not give up, so that hope never leaves the land of Jonah, Nahum, and Abraham, and so that Christianity may live on for eternity. So you see, you have been tested by time and by men, but as long as there are people on this earth to rebuild stone by stone the holy edifice, the sacred sanctuary that you are, yes, I promise you, you will remain the symbol of the strength of Christ and the faith of Christian martyrs.”

EGYPT

Coptic Pope celebrates the end of summer with volunteers.

Volunteers and children of St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox parish in the neighbourhood of Sharbia participate in the closing ceremony of the summer sessions, in the presence of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa of the See of St. Mark.

‘We set off early in the morning as the sun rose over Cairo busy streets, to the vibrant neighbourhood of Al-Sharbia, where we had been giving French lessons for five weeks to the children of the parish.

Day after day, I could see the sparkle of pride growing in their eyes, their smiles widening with each new successful phrase they learnt. Some of them were able to pronounce French sentences perfectly and with confidence. While others were hesitant, but they were able to make small talk with us.

Until this special day came, with its sweetness mixed with nostalgia. Despite our tiredness, we are happy and proud to have fulfilled this duty.

Children, dressed in their best clothes and whom the eyes were filled with excitement, gathered to proudly receive their certificates of success, holding that piece of paper in their little hands, a sign of their efforts and success. Loud applause echoed under the high ceiling of the auditorium, and I couldn’t help but smile, my heart filled with joy.

Then, we walked through the ornate corridors to reach the papal residence, where a calm and solemn atmosphere prevails. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II greeted us with a gentle smile and gave us certificates of gratitude for our commitment. As soon as the glossy paper touched my fingers, I realised that this moment would be etched in my memory forever. It is an indescribable honour to receive this certificate from his hands, a symbol of our commitment recognition to the children of Egypt.

At the end of the ceremony, the Pope came out to greet the children waiting the cathedral square. The joyful chants and innocent shouts were touching under the bright blue sky. The Pope blessed us all and I realised, bowed head, how special this moment is.

The children did not forget their teachers and rushed to us to take pictures. They were very spontaneous, and some of them had tears in their eyes because goodbye is not the easier word to say. The most mischievous among them were relieved that the sometimes difficult lessons had come to an end.

We ended the day by a visit to St. Mark’ tomb, located in a small crypt adjacent to the cathedral. Once down the few steps leading to the lower church, the atmosphere gradually changes, becoming more peaceful and charged with a great spiritual aura. Here, the stone walls, damp and cold, whisper the ancient prayers of our ancestors. It is a moment of silent communion, each of us alone with God, our Creator.

Time stops here, and in this sacred silence, I entrust all those children into the hands of the Lord.

This summer ended with a symphony of laughter and smiles, and I will embrace all these memories for a long time to come, proud of the achievement I have made in the Sharbia neighbourhood.

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