On the twelfth anniversary of the abduction of Metropolitans Paul (Yazigi) and John (Ibrahim) of Aleppo, the Antiochian Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox Churches have issued a joint appeal to the international community not to forget the missing hierarchs.

The statement, signed by Patriarch John X of the Antiochian Orthodox Church and Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church, describes the bishops’ disappearance as a “painful symbol” of the suffering endured by Christians across the Middle East and a reflection of the ongoing trials faced by the region's peoples.

“Their case embodies that of every abducted and suffering person and represents a fragment of the cross borne by the East, yearning for the dawn of Resurrection,” the statement reads. It was released through the Antiochian Patriarchate’s official press office.

Since the day of the kidnapping in 2013, the churches have engaged in tireless efforts—from diplomacy to intelligence gathering—but despite appeals to nations including Syria, Turkey, the U.S., Russia, and the Vatican, the fate of the two bishops remains unknown. Neither their location nor the exact circumstances of their abduction and potential deaths have ever been confirmed.

The two bishops were kidnapped on April 22, 2013, while on a mission to negotiate the release of two priests taken hostage by militants. Their driver was killed, and the bishops were taken away by unknown assailants. No group has ever claimed responsibility for the abduction.

A 2020 investigative report led by Syrian journalist Mansour Saliba alleged that the bishops were executed in December 2016 by fighters from the extremist group Nour al-Din al-Zenki. The report claimed they were tortured and pressured to convert to Islam before being killed. However, the investigation remains inconclusive, with no official confirmation, recovered bodies, or verifiable evidence.

In their message, the patriarchs urged respectful treatment of the case by media outlets and social media users, warning against sensationalism and speculation. “This is not a topic for gossip, but a human and spiritual tragedy in which the fates of churches, nations, and Christian civilization itself are intertwined,” they wrote.

Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi), one of the abducted bishops, is the brother of Patriarch John X. Over the past twelve years, his name has become a symbol of martyrdom for Middle Eastern Christianity.

As the region continues to grapple with violence, displacement, and religious persecution, the churches’ plea serves as a solemn reminder of the enduring cost of conflict—and the silent pain of unanswered prayers.