Among those abducted by the terrorist group, Al-Nusrah are two first cousins of my pastor. Please remember Emmanuel & Bassem ARTINE in your prayers. Emmanuel (in his 40’s, father of a 3 yr old daughter) serves as senior steward for the Franciscan Mission, Custodia Terra Sancta, in Knayeh (Qunayeh), Syria. His brother, Bassem, is a farmer in his 30’s.
Please pray for my cousins, Emmanuel & Bassem, and their fellow christians for their safe return and for their families who are left alone in these war zones.
Lord, have Mercy!
Catholic World News
The Catholic priest who was kidnapped in Syria on Sunday, October 5, has been released, but remains under “house arrest” in a village controlled by an Islamic militant group.
Father Hanna Jallouf was released on October 9. Four women who were among the 20 hostages seized by armed Islamic militants were set free a day earlier. But the remaining hostages are still in the rebels’ custody.
Bishop Georges Abou Khazen of Aleppo told the Fides news service that Father Jallouf is healthy, “but there is no news of the release of the men who were kidnapped with him.” The Franciscan priest is now under “house arrest” in the village of Knayeh, a Christian community in which he was serving when he was seized.
Father Khazen was reportedly sentenced to house arrest by the local Islamic court. The village is held by Jabhat al-Nusra, a jihadist group.
Prayers for them and their family. And prayers for victory over their cavemen-abductors. Enough is enough. There have been Christians in that region since right about the time of Christ.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon the old, the young, the needy, the orphans and the widows, and on all that are in sickness and sorrow, in distress and affliction, in oppression and captivity, in prison and confinement. More especially have mercy upon Your servants who are under persecution for Your sake and for the sake of the Orthodox Faith at the hands of heathen nations, of apostates, of Mohammedans and all heretics: remember them, visit, strengthen, keep, and comfort them, and make haste to grant them, by Your power, relief, freedom, and deliverance.