Pune: Jacobite Christians in India have collected 7 million rupees to assist refugees fleeing war-torn Syria.

As Syrian refugees, battered by war, try to make their way into Europe and other countries, the Syrian Christian Community in India has been doing its bit as well. The community in India, numbering around 2,5 million, has contributed more than 7 million rupees in the last three months to the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church H H Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.

The amount was collected by the Catholicos of Eastern Syrian Church, Beatitude Baselios Thomas 1, based in Kerala.

One of the places that sent generous help is Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra.

“We are few in Pune and are not aware of the exact amount we contributed. But, we definitely sent help,” said Father Philipose Kurian of the Pune Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.

A member of Pune’s Syrian Church, requesting anonymity, said, “Looking at the increasing tension in Syria, it was the need of the hour. I donated to the Pune church and it was sent on to Kerala.”

“We are not contributing only because we have our origins there. It is simply that everyone should extend help towards those in pain,” said Father Gee Varghese Johnson, of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Mumbai.

He added, “We are around 2,500 in Maharashtra, of which Pune possible has around 200-500. We have been contributing for Syrian refugees for five years and have donated 2.5 million rupees so far. However, recently it was strongly suggested that our brethren there are in dire need and that all churches and members should extend their support. Three months ago, 400,000 rupees were contributed from Mumbai.”

There are around 1,000 Syrian churches in India of which 400 are in Kerala. Across the country, the community has come out and responded strongly to the call for help. Saju Paul from Mumbai, who contributed a handsome amount which she was unwilling to reveal, said, “Monuments are being destroyed, people are fleeing, lives have been lost. This is the least I could have done. The government and politicians can decide in their own time, but we are free to volunteer.”

When Mirror contacted the Catholicose and head of the Eastern Region of Syrian Community, Beatitude Baselios Thomas 1 in Kerala, he said, “There were already people contributing, but seeing the increased violence, we called for an overall contribution. More than 70 lakh rupees (7 million) has been collected and sent to Damascus.”

When Mirror contacted the Syrian Christian Community’s head in Damascus, a bishop who did not reveal his name confirmed that they had indeed received a contribution from the Indian Syrian community.

(This appeared in Pune Mirror on Sept. 22, 2015)