-
The Antiochian Change Movement Calls for the Resignation of Patriarch John X Yazigi

The "Antiochian Change Movement" issued a statement calling for the resignation of Patriarch John X Yazigi from the patriarchal seat, citing his loss of spiritual and popular legitimacy.
The statement emphasized the close ties between the patriarch and the Assad regime, as well as the invalidity of his election process, noting that he did not meet the candidacy requirements specified in the internal laws of the Antiochian See. It also mentioned the direct intervention of Assad's intelligence services to include the patriarch's name, which led to clear manipulation of religious institutions to serve the regime's interests. This intervention "corrupted the sanctity of the electoral process, stripped the church of its independence, and caused the faithful to lose trust in their spiritual leaders."
The statement pointed to Patriarch Yazigi's approach to transforming the church from a spiritual beacon into a tool defending a repressive regime, asserting that he has made it "a political cover for the regime instead of a refuge for victims."
It also addressed the issue of the disappearance of Bishops Paul Yazigi and John Ibrahim, highlighting that many years have passed since their forced disappearance without the church making any serious efforts to uncover their fate.
In addition to calling for the resignation of Patriarch John X Yazigi, the movement demanded the initiation of an international investigation to reveal the fate of the kidnapped bishop and all those forcibly disappeared, and to hold accountable those responsible for these acts. It also called for an apology to the Syrian people and acknowledgment of responsibility for supporting the regime, along with a commitment to separating the church from politics.
Tags
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!