The Passing of Archbishop Paulos

Assyrian children protesting the death of Paulos Faraj Rahho on March 14, 2008 in Tel Keppe. (www.ankawa.com)

Where were they, the kidnappers and their captive, Archbishop Paulos, after they raided his vehicle and killed his travelmates and towed him away? And who were the kidnappers, why were they there? Were their minds seas of blank static, sizzling in hatred? Were they pressured from faceless superiors to a pointless pursuit, their minds into a quagmire of confusion? What would they gain from the capture or murder of this kindly old man, what could they have asked for instead of his life!

How did they look upon the face of Archbishop Paulos? Did they see the serenity, the spirit of their own God looking back at them? And when they threatened the cleric's life, did their hands shake? Did their trigger fingers fail? Were there beads of sweat, beads of their conscience crying out mercy?

How do we hear, the last moments of Archbishop Paulos? Did he pass away silently blessing his captors? Was he hit when a nervous gunman misfired? Was he killed in cold blood as the captors' conscience ran dry?

How do we hear the plight of his flock?
Which side do we turn to our brethren in Iraq who are overrun in this chaotic melee?
What songs do we sing to greet their murdered souls?*
What effort made to relate their life and ours?
We do not know.

"We, Christians of Mesopotamia, are used to religious persecution and pressures by those in power. After Constantine, persecution ended only for Western Christians, whereas in the East threats continued. Even today we continue to be a Church of martyrs."
--Mar Paulos on November 26, 2007, three months before he was found murdered

*Here's to guys in my company