ZAIDAL
Parish Name:
Church of Our Lady of Salvation – Zaidal Parish of the Syriac Catholics
Location and Geographic Surroundings:
Approximately 5 km east of Homs – Elevation: 564 meters Bordered to the south by the village of Fairouzeh, one of the largest Christian-dominated villages.
Construction Phases of the Church and Inauguration Date:
- Old Church of the Virgin Mary: Inaugurated in 1863
- Church of Our Lady of Salvation: Inaugurated in 1950
Under Which Bishop the Foundation Took Place?
During the era of Patriarch Ignatius II Rahmani and Cardinal Gabriel I Tappouni.
Priests Who Served the Parish:
- Father Gabriel Chini
- Father Abdallah kasih
- Father Anton Issa
- Father Ephrem Darouj
- Father Abd al-Massih Zahra
- Father Simon Yazigi
- Monsignor Thomas Seif
- Father Elian Kaddour
- Father Georges Elian Hanna
- Father Georges Abu Eid
- Father Paul Safar
- Father Anton Dahy
- Father Anton Safar
- Father George Kassab
- Father Philip Barakat
- Monsignor Georges Khoury
- Father Michel Taameh
- Father Rabih Khabbaz
- Father Hamid Masouh
Current Deacons of the Church:
12 deacons proficient in reading, writing, and liturgical melodies in Syriac, assisting the parish priest in all liturgical celebrations.
Four new deacons currently being trained in Syriac language and liturgical melodies, preparing for ordination as readers and chantors.
Construction, Renovation, and Donors Who Contributed to the Building:
- Renovated the western hall, accommodating 700 people.
- Built halls for condolences, accommodating 300 people.
- Constructed a cemetery, considered the largest and most organized in Homs.
- Developed church apartments for rent.
- Donated several agricultural lands. All contributions and constructions in the parish are from parish members without any external assistance, solely from resident and expatriate parish members.
Patron Saint of the Parish and Reason for Choosing the Name:
- Modern church: Our Lady of Salvation
- Old church: Virgin Mary
Affiliated Centers of the Parish:
- House of Joy for Ephremite Nuns, Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy in Zaidal
Parish Activities:
- Ladies’ Fraternity of Our Lady of Salvation Church: Founded in 1998, comprises about 200 women from the parish.
- Lady of Giving Fraternity for University Students: Founded in 2018, comprises about 85 university students.
- Our Lady of Salvation Fraternity for Special Needs: Founded in 2008, includes about 35 children with special needs and 20 supervisors.
- Scout Group of Our Lady of Salvation Church: Founded in 2005, includes about 170 young men and women.
- Holy Family Fraternity : Founded in 2023, includes about 45 families, guided by Father Hamid Masouh.
- Christian Education Center: Ranges from kindergarten to high school.
- Choir: The choir of Our Lady of Salvation Church is one of the largest in the diocese, comprising 39 young women from the parish.
Spiritual Advisor for All Apostolic Movements: Current parish priest, Father Hamid Masouh
Families in the Parish and Their Number:
- 870 resident families
- 260 expatriate families in America, Venezuela, and Brazil
Relationship with Other Churches or Denominations:
The relationship is good, like one family.
Martyrs from the Village:
20 martyrs
Religious, Developmental, or Relief Projects in the Parish:
- Church’s poor committee to assist the needy
- Our Lady of Salvation medical services committee