Syriac Orthodox Patriarch to Remain in Damascus

In an interview Metropolitan Mor Gregorios (Yohanna) of Aleppo of the Syriac Orthodox Church has spoken against recent rumors that preparations are being made to transfer the seat of the Patriarchate of Antioch from Damascus to India or Turkey. More here. The rumors have developed as political unrest has spread in Syria, long a haven for the Middle East's Christians under the ruling al-Assad family.