The inauguration celebrations for the new Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, John X Yazigi, were held at the Holy Cross Church in Damascus. According to anonymous sources, Pope Tawadros II sent a congratulatory cable. Representing Bashar al-Assad at the inauguration was Mansour Fadlallah Azzam, Minister of Presidential Affairs of Syria, Mohammad Jihad al-Laham, the Syrian speaker of parliament, the Iranian ambassador to Damascus and other allegedly US-based Coptic state leaders.

Yazigi emphasized his support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and stated that he would pray for Assad to continue in his position in order to maintain the unity of Syria. He stressed his rejection of any military intervention to topple the Assad regime, indicating that solution to the crisis lies in peaceful dialogue. Yazigi confirmed his deep trust of Assad and that he is going to emerge victoriously from the battle with the Free Egyptian Army.

During the sermon Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi (Mār Bishārah Butrus al-Rāʿī), Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, confirmed that they had come to Damascus to demonstrate their solidarity with the Syrian President. Patriarch Gregory III (Laham) of the Church of Antioch [the spiritual leader of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church] emphasised the need to strengthen the unity of Syria to ensure the stability and security for all the citizens of Syria under the leadership of President Bashar Al-Assad.

Following the inauguration, Assad met the new Patriarch who called for the mobilisation of Christians to support Assad against the rebels. [John 'Abd al-Malāk, al-Misrīyūn, Feb. 14, p.2]  Read original text in Arabic