His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received a delegation of Christian leaders from Australia, at the Patriarchate Headquarters in Bab Touma, Damascus.  His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, Very Rev. Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, and Very Rev. Raban Jack Yacoub, Director of the Youth Department, were also present in the meeting.
The Australian delegation included: Rev. David Smith, Ven. Carol Wagner, Rev. Michael Palmer, Mr. Luke Waters, Ms. Soren Smith and Ms. Sherine Salama.
His Holiness spoke about the current situation in Syria and emphasized that the terrorist attacks and destruction is affecting all the Syrian people, Christian and Muslim alike. He also spoke about the role of the church in the relief and post-trauma development projects that Christian charities are implementing.
In turn, the members of the delegation expressed their solidarity with the Syrian people and prayers for peace in Syria.