The Archeparchy of Aleppo is one of the oldest ones of the Melkite Patriarchate of Antioch. The eparchy of Berea (ancient name of Aleppo) its origin goes back to the First Council of Nicaea (325 a.c.). The eparchy of Aleppo was elevated to the rank of archeparchy in the sixth century.





The Cathedral of the Holy Virgin of Aleppo
 
      
                        Before the 2011                                        after the bombings



Dear friends of Novae Terrae Foundation,

You recently asked me to present our needs so that you can help us in this difficult period here in Aleppo. So here I am telling you everything.

The Cathedral “Our Lady” in Aleppo was built in the early 1800, it was the first time that our ancestors had the possibility to build a Catholic church during Otoman power. It stood up to the Otoman’s intransigence; it was built in record time, during unrest and wars in the region. Christian people have always considered it a grace by the providence. 200 of prayers and devotion by faithful in the city made the cathedral full of blessings. People in Aleppo and all around the region assiduously came and prayed here. This cathedral is for many Christian people in the city symbol of their trust in the power of God’s mercy thanks to the intercession of the Virgin Mary their mother and mother of all the Church.

Unfortunately in these last years jihadists, full of hatred and fanaticism, invaded the city, sacked and made unusable the Cathedral of Our Lady in Aleppo.

Now the city is safe again and we decided to start to rebuild the church; we know that the use of the Christian church in Aleppo is a priority because is the symbol of Mary’s presence, our sublime protector. We are sure that if people partecipate again to celebrations in this cathedral blessed by God, there will be new confidence, hope and courage so important in this difficult period for our Christian community in Aleppo. Would you like to help us to rebuild it so that its blessing will cover all us and the all country again?

Every kind of help will be appreciated and it will make possibile to move forward with the project. The main structure in the building needs to be restored as some parts in the roof; we need to buy new windows, some walls inside need to be restored. The lighting , the doors, the floor and all precious pictures and mosaics have been destroyed so we will try to restore what is possible.

A big thank you for all you will do to help us restoring what is the most important symbol that can recreate the intimacy with the Lord!

Your kindness, your gift will not be forgotten: Virgin Mary will appreciate it, the faithful who every day will pray here, will see it. The cathedral itself will be the symbol of your generosity.
Help us to let the light shine over the debris and violence that we saw in these years; that light will shine again thanks to your generosity.

Expressing my and our gratitude to you and all your supporters , I give you my blessing.

+Metroplolite Jean-Clément JEANBART