OCP News Service – 20/10/15
Syriac Orthodox Church in India – Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All East.

+Memory Eternal+

Kerala-India: The world famous Syriac scholar, Arch Chor-bishop Fr Kaniyamparampil Kurian of the Syriac Orthodox Church entered eternal rest. He was 103 years old. He has translated large volumes of Orthodox prayers from Syriac to the South Indian language of Malayalam.

The late Arch Chorbihop have also served as the Priest Trustee of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India. He was one of the most respected Orthodox Priest in India. Funeral will be held later.

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OCP News Service

HEAD OF SYRIAC ORTHODOX CHURCH ARRIVES IN RUSSIA

On 9 November 2015, the Primate of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, arrived in Russia on an official visit at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. It is the first visit of His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II to the Russian Orthodox Church since his election to the Patriarchal Throne in March 2014.

The delegation accompanying the Primate of the Syriac Orthodox Church includes Mor Severius Hawa, Metropolitan of Baghdad and Basra; Metropolitan Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant, Director of the Department of Ecumenical Relations of the Syriac Orthodox Church; Archbishop Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Cetin, Patriarchal Vicar in Istanbul and Ankara; Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul; Archimandrite Raban Roger-Youssef Akhrass, Director of the Syriac Studies Department; and Archimandrite Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Syriac Media Office Director.

At the Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was met by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, who greeted the high guest on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Among those who took part in the meeting were also Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan, head of the Russian and Nor Nakhichevan diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church; Cor-bishop Samano Odisho, rector of the Assyrian church of St. Mary in Moscow; Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), DECR Secretary for Inter-Christian Relations; and DECR staff members, Mr. Yevgeny Novozhenin, Mr. Sergey Alferov, Mr. Denis Baturin, and Mr. Vladimir Kuznetsov.

During the visit which will be completed on November 13, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II will meet with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and representatives of governmental authorities of the Russian Federation, and will visit theological institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church and churches and monasteries in Moscow and the Moscow Region.

***

The Syriac Orthodox Church belongs to the family of the so-called “Non-Chalcedonian” (Oriental Orthodox Communion) Churches, along with the Coptic, Apostolic Armenian, Ethiopian and Eritrean Tewahedo Churches. It is one of traditional Christian communities of the Middle East and numbers one and a half – two million faithful. The canonical territory of the Syriac Orthodox Church comprises Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and the south of Turkey. Historically, this Church is closely linked to the Malankara Syrian Church performing its ministry in India.

In the 20^th century, a considerable number of the Syriac Orthodox Church’s faithful in the Middle East were forced to leave their homeland and flee to the Western countries because of the worsening of the social and political situation in the region. In recent years this tendency has grown with terror spreading in Syria and Iraq. Clergymen often fall victims of the terrorists’ attacks. Thus, abducted in April 2013 were two metropolitans of Aleppo. One of them, Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, is a hierarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church. There is still no information about the whereabouts of the two metropolitans.

DECR Communication Service.

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Syriac Orthodox Church of India – Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All East
31/12/15

MEMORY ETERNAL!!!

Kerala- India: His Eminence Yoohanon Mor Philexinose of the Syriac Orthodox Church of India entered eternal rest.

The funeral of His Eminence Yoohanon Mor Philexinose will be held at St. Mary’s Simhasana Cathedral Church, Pampady, Kottayam as per the will of His Eminence on 01 January 2016, Friday at 2.00 PM.

The late Metropolitan was a well know scholar and educationist  who has two doctroate degress to his credit. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate  21/2/16

On the occasion of the Great Lent according to the Catholic Churches, the Greek Catholic Melkite Patriarchate called for a common prayer to beseech the mercy of God and for peace in Syria. The celebrational prayer took place at the Lady of Dormition Patriarchal Cathedral at Haret El-Zaytoun in Damascus.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II delegated His Grace Bishop Mor Maurice Amsih, Director of Public Relations and Protocol, to represent the Syriac Orthodox Church at this Prayer Service.

His Excellency Mgr. Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio in Damascus, and His Excellency Mgr. Stanilas, President of the Council of Bishops of Poland and representatives of the Christian Church in Damascus also participated in this Common Prayer Service.

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Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – April 2016

After the liberation of Al-Qaryaten from ISIS, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II headed to visit the town. He was accompanied by His Eminence Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Environs, Very Rev. Raban Barsom Kassab, Priest of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Qarayten, and Very Rev. Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director.

His Holiness first met the Governor of Homs Mr. Talal Al-Barazi in Sadad and headed to visit the Syriac Catholic Monastery of Mor Elian (Julian) which was destroyed by ISIS. The church of the monastery was burnt and its altar completely destroyed. His Holiness then visited the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mor Elian (Julian) which was also completely destroyed, and its roof was brought down.

His Holiness said that the battle of the Syrian people is against international terrorism which aims at destroying the country. He added that even though they will try to destroy Syria, we will rebuild it: we do not believe in death, we believe in life and peace.

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Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – April 2016

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II attended the funeral service of the Late Mother of His Brother in Christ, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Patriarch John X, at St. Georges Cathedral in Lattaqia.

The funeral service was attended by the Syrian Minister of Endowments, Dr. Mohammad Abdelsattar El-Sayyid, the Governor of Lattaqia Mr. Ibrahim El-Salem, and other dignitaries. His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Environs, Very Rev. Raban Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Delegate in Aleppo and Environs, Very Rev. Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director.

His Holiness offered his heartfelt condolences to Patriarch John X, both personally and on behalf of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch.

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His Eminence Archbishop Mor Severius Malke Mourad- Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem, Jordan & the Holy Land of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch & All East.

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – April 2016

Statement Issued by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

April 10, 2016 – Damascus, SYRIA

The Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East confirms that His Eminence Archbishop Mor Severius Malke Mourad is the Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, since 1996 and continues to hold this position till date. He enjoys all the rights given by the constitution of the Syriac Orthodox Church to the archbishop patriarchal vicar.

In addition, he is the president of the patriarchal committee administering the endowments of St. Mark Patriarchal Monastery in Jerusalem and all properties of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate in the Holy Land. Therefore, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate denies all rumors and news claiming that His Eminence Mor Severius Malke Mourad was dismissed from his position, or that the Patriarchate has removed from him any Church authority (immunity), whether spiritual or administrative.

Once again, the Patriarchate denounces the inappropriate way used by Palestinian security services to arrest His Eminence Archbishop Mor Severius Malke Mourad, causing a personal insult to His Eminence, as well as, to the Patriarchate and to the entire Syriac Orthodox faithful in the world.

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His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II – Patriarch of Antioch and All East on the Apostolic Throne of St Peter – Primate of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II – Catholicos of the East & Metropolitan of Malankara on the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas – Primate of the Indian Orthodox Malankara Church

SOCM-Forum (Discussion Forum of Syriac Orthodox Christians of Malankara) – 26/4/16

Church Fb Page:

Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II & Catholicose Baselios Paulose II – True Brothers in Christ makes history in Armenia:

India- Kerala: Another Historical event took place in Malankara (Kerala) at the St. John’ s Great Church (Valiya Palli) on the 23rd of April 2016. After completing the renovation works, Syriac Orthodox (Jacobite) and Malankara Orthodox (Indian Orthodox) prelates jointly re-consecrated the ancient Church which was originally built in the year 1861.

Additional Note:
Syriac Orthodox Church and the Indian Orthodox Malankara Church have been in administrative schism for a very long time. Apostolic visit of Patriarch Aphrem II to Malankara (Kerala in February 2015) , resulted in a warm exchange of greetings between the two churches. The Yerevan meeting between the Syriac and Indian Orthodox Primates (April 2015) was another turning point in restoring conciliar unity between the two ancient sister Orthodox churches.

Photo courtesy: Rev. Fr. Aneesh T Varughese

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Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – June 2016

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received the British Consul General in Erbil His Excellency Mr. Angus McKee accompanied with the Embassy’s First Secretary Political Officer Ms. Palika Bhasin.

His Holiness gave an overview of the history of the Syriac Orthodox Church and discussed with His Excellency the current situation of Christians in the Middle East and especially in Northern Iraq.
In turn, His Excellency assured His Holiness of the intention of the UK to fight terrorism along with other countries.

He also expressed his interest in the history of the relations between the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and the Church of England, which is about two centuries old.

Their Eminences Mor Gregorius Saliba Shemoun, Patriarchal Counselor, Mor Justinus Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Timotheos Moussa Al-Shamani, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mor Matta Monastery, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, and Very Rev. Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director were also present during the meeting.

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Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – June 2016

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II presided over the meeting of the Temporary General Secretariat of the Holy Synod in Erbil. Their Eminences, members of the Temporary General Secretariat.

Mor Justinus Boulos Safar , Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, participated in the meeting.

His Holiness also invited their Eminences Mor Gregorius Saliba Shemoun, Patriarchal Counselor and Mor Timotheos Moussa Al-Shamani, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mor Matta Monastery to attend the meeting.

His Holiness opened the meeting with a prayer and then he discussed with their Eminences the different matters on the agenda.

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OCP Delegation with Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch & All East

OCP News Service – OCP Secretariat- 20/6/16

Read- Suicide Bomber Targets Assyrian Event in Syria – 3 Killed
http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/suicide-bomber-targets-assyrian-event-in-syria-3-killed/

Global: The Secretariat of the Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE (Pan-Orthodox Christian Movement) has strongly condemned the attack on the Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II and the Christian faithful in Qamishli, by one of the suicide bombers.

“We strongly condemn such barbaric acts, which is a serious crime against humanity. God protected our beloved Patriarch His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch & All East from all dangers.

We continue to hold our brothers and sisters in Syria and Iraq our prayers. May the souls of our beloved Martyrs rest in eternal peace. May God have mercy upon all of us.”

With Prayers

In Christ 

George Alexander
(Secretary and Spokesperson
Director- Dept. of External Church Relations)

Fr Prakash Kuriakose
(Delegate of Malankara)

Vipin Varghese
(Director- Dept. of Public Relations)

Dr Ajesh T Phillip
(Delegate of the Indian Sub-Continent)

Kisha D Dorado
(Director- Dept of Church Research & Studies)

Prakash Varghese
(Delegate of Gulf, Levant and All Middle East)

Abraham P Koshy
(Director – Dept of Finance)

Monu John Phillip
(Special Envoy of the Secretariat)

Deacon Lijo Elias
(Representing the Kananaya Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church to OCP)

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OCP News Service – OCP Secretariat

Syriac Orthodox Church – July 2016

In a historical moment for the Syriac Orthodox Church in Germany, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II signed the official document submitted in the name of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Germany to the German government to obtain legal recognition as a church in the country.

This document is the fruit of years of hard work and the cooperation of many entities in the Patriarchal Vicariate of Germany.

The different parishes and communities throughout Germany will be able to enjoy their new status as churches once the process is completed.

His Holiness signed this historical document in the presence of their Eminences: Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Julius Hanna Aydin, Director of Foreign Affairs in Germany, Mor Dioscoros Benjamin Atas, Patriarchal Vicar in Sweden and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar at the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus. The president of the Archdiocesan Council, members of the Syriac Teaching Body of Rheda Wiedenbruck region and other members of the Archdiocesan council were also present at this historical event.

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Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – July 2016

The Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate issued the following attestation:

To Whom It May Concern

The Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch confirms that “Slibo Suryoyo”, “Hubo d’Slibo Suryoyo e.V.”, “Syrian-Aramaic Help Org. IC” and “Beilo Foundation in Diaspora” are not affiliated with the Syriac Orthodox Church, nor do they represent the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate in any way.

The above mentioned organizations work completely independently and without the knowledge or consent of the Syriac Orthodox Church and its hierarchs in Europe and throughout the world. Therefore, we confirm that the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate does not directly or indirectly support any of these organizations, nor do we actively promote their fundraising or other activities which are done outside the realm of the authority of the church.

In testimony of the above, this letter was issued.

Patriarchal Office

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Abouna Pablo Neves

Syriac Orthodox Church of Brazil – OCP News Service – August 2016

Also Read:
OCP Icon of St. Gregorious of Parumala Displayed at SYGG16 Leadership Program in Netherlands

The Syriac Orthodox Chapel of St. Ephrem in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, led by Abouna Pablo Neves, is in the last phase of renovation and will soon have beautiful icons painted on its wall. Among the icons a special emphasis will be given for the icon of Saint Gregorios from Parumala, first Indian saint canonized by the Syriac Orthodox Church & the Indian Orthodox Malankara Church (Oriental Orthodox Communion). The Feast of the great Saint of India is observed in the Coptic Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The icons will be written by Abouna Pablo Neves, who is an iconography professional. The icon will be two meters tall and will be placed next to the icons of St. John Chrysostom, St. Jacob Baradaeus, St. Philoxenus of Mabbug and St. Cyril of Alexandria.

The Brazilian Icon of St Gregorios resembles the OCP Icon of St. Gregorios of Parumala.
The OCP Icon of St. Gregorious of Parumala (the first canonised Indian Saint) is a symbol of Pan-Orthodox Christian Unity. The icon was written by Eastern Byzantine Orthodox monks and the original is preserved at the OCP Chancellor’s residence in Chicago. It has been presented as a token of love to several Orthodox Christian personalities as well.

Source:
Syriac Orthodox Church of Brazil – OCP News Service.

His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II – Patriarch on the Apostolic Throne of St. Peter in Anthioch & All East. @OCP Media Network

Christiantoday – August 2016

Christianity is in danger of disappearing across entire countries in the Middle East, the land of its birth, according to a senior Orthodox Church leader.

There have been repeated warnings about the decline of Christianity in Iraq under the Islamic State onslaught. Eight in ten Christians have left Iraq since 2003.

But the Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Ignatius Aphrem II, has now warned that Christianity is also at risk of disappearing in Syria and Lebanon.

The massive decline of the Christian population in Turkey from 3.5m to 150,000 in the last 100 years alone could be repeated in Syria and Lebanon, he warned.

“I am worried that Christianity is on the way out both in Syria and Iraq as well as in Lebanon,” he told John Pontifex of Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic charity which provides emergency help and spiritual support for Christians worldwide.

READ MORE HERE:

Syrian Patriarch: ‘stop extremists from entering Europe’

Churchinneed – August 2016

NEW YORK (Aug. 30, 2016)—A leading Syrian prelate urged Europe to take tougher action to stop fundamentalists from entering its territory.

Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, the Damascus-based leader of Syriac Orthodox Church, warned of the threat posed by a new generation of radicalized Muslims bent on imposing Sharia law as widely as possible. While many Muslim refugees entering Europe are peace-loving moderates, he added, Western governments “must be better prepared” to ferret out jihadists.

In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the international Catholic charity, the Patriarch called for a strict screening process of migrants and refugees seeking to enter Europe. “I do not know how this should happen but it is necessary and should be done without infringing the rights of those who are peace-loving and law-abiding,” he said.

READ MORE HERE:

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Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – 10/9/16

For the first time in the history of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and under the auspices of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, the first Suryoyo Young Couples Encounter (SYCE) was organized in Lebanon.

More than 100 married people will attend the meeting coming from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II opened the SYCE with a speech about the Christian concept of family and marriage. He also prayed for the families that are participating in the 3-days encounter and emphasized the importance of being attached to the Syriac heritage and identity.

His Eminence Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Metropolitan of Beirut, gave the first lecture on the meaning of the sacrament of marriage in the Holy Bible.

The lecture was followed by a question and answer session where His Holiness answered the diverse questions of the participants related to the Syriac Orthodox Church and the promotion of family values.

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Syriac Orthodox Church of Brazil – Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All East – 23/9/16

Brasilia: The Patriarch and the delegation will arrive in Brazil on October 26. They will be welcomed by civil and ecclesiastical authorities. Mor Ignatius Aphrem II will visit major communities, social work projects and missions in the federal capital of Brazil – Brasília – and in the states of Goias and São Paulo.

It is the first visit of Mor Ignatius Aphrem II as the Patriarch of Antioch. The Prelate have visited Brazil at least three times while he was serving as the Archbishop of the United States. Priests, deacons, and faithful are in preparation to receive the Patriarch and the Syriac Orthodox delegation.

The Syriac Orthodox Church was established in Brazil with the arrival of the Syrian immigrants in the early twentieth century but have missionary communities since 1983 at the initiative of the late archbishop Mor Chrysostomos Moussa Matanos Salama (+ 1996), which opened the church doors to the faithful and Brazilian’s without oriental origin.

Today, in addition to traditional Churches (immigrants and descendants) the Syriac Orthodox Church has communities in 15 states of Brazil, as well as monasteries, schools, kindergartens, social and welfare projects.

Source:
Syriac Orthodox Church of Brazil

http://www.patriarchia.ru/

http://www.patriarchia.ru/

http://www.patriarchia.ru/

Julie Jones – OCP News Service – (OCP Delegate in the U.K.)

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia – Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church met Coptic, Armenian and Syriac Orthodox Prelates in London during the reception organized on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of Russian Orthodoxy in the UK and Ireland.

Patriarch met His Grace Angaelos – General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church of UK, His Grace Mor Athanasius Toma Dawod Dakkama – Archbishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church of UK and His Grace Hovakim Manukiyan – Bishop of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of Great Britain.

Pics:

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OCP News Service

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – 21/10/16

Lebanon: His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II receives their Eminences Mor Gregorius Joseph, Metropolitan of Cochin and Mor Aphrem Matthews, Assistant Metropolitan of Angamali, in the presence of His Eminence Mor Justinus Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

His Holiness discussed with their Eminences matters concerning our Church in India.

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Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – 9/11/16

Visit of His Holiness Catholicose Karekin II to MAC – NJ

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received His brother in Christ Catholicose Karekin II, Catholicose-Patriarch of All Armenians, at Mor Aphrem Center in New Jersey.

Their Eminences Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Vicar of the Archdiocese of Eastern USA, Mor Titus Yeldho, Metropolitan of the Malankara Archdiocese of Northern America and Mor Silvanus Ayub, Archbishop of the Knanaya Archdiocese in America and Europe, were also present at the reception.
His Holiness Catholicose Karekin II was accompanied by their Eminences Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan.

His Holiness Patriarch Aphrem II and the archbishops and clergy of the Syriac Orthodox Church welcomed His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II and the accompanying delegation. The clergy sang the special Syriac hymn of the reception of the pontiffs.

The two pontiffs then headed to Mor Aphrem Chapel where the midday prayer was conducted. His Holiness Catholicose Karekin II gave the final blessing in Armenian.

In honor of His Holiness, a formal reception followed the prayer. His Holiness Patriarch Aphrem II spoke about the joy of meeting his brother in Christ and receiving him at Mor Aphrem Center.

He spoke about the history of the good relations between the two sister churches: Syriac Orthodox Church and Armenian Orthodox Church. His Holiness also mentioned the shared martyrdom that the clergy and faithful of both churches had gone through at the turn of the twentieth century. At the end of the reception, the two pontiffs exchanged gifts as a sign of brotherhood and unity.

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