Prayer for Unity of Churches - Damascus, Syria.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.711397872291315.1073741991.558842500880187&type=1

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II receives Syrian MP Her Excellency Mrs. Maria Saadeh at the Patriarchate Headquarters in Damascus, in the presence of His Eminence Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, the Patriarchal Assistant

              

                   

His Holiness visits the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited the Syriac Catholic Patriarch His Beatitude Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan at the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate in Beirut. His Holiness was accompanied by Their Eminences Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant. 

The two patriarchs met together and discussed matters of importance for both churches. They also talked about the Centennial of the Syriac Genocide Sayfo and ways to commemorate it together.  The two patriarchs presided over the evening prayer which was conducted at St. Ignatius Church in the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate.

 

 

 

 

• https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.709612125803223.1073741990.558842500880187&type=1
• http://www.noursat.tv/en/news-details.php?id=11605

 

 Visit of Delegation from St. George Church - Kuwait

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received a delegation from St. George Reesh Church in Kuwait headed by Rev. Fr. Aby Paul, at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh - Lebanon. The delegation submitted a report to His Holiness about the different developments in the parish as well as the spiritual activities. They also shared with him their needs and vision. 

In turn, His Holiness blessed the efforts of Rev. Fr. Aby Paul and the members of the delegation and encouraged them to continue their work for the service of the faithful in Kuwait.

   

 

   

 

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.709595962471506.1073741989.558842500880187&type=1

Holy Qurobo by His Holiness in Lebanon for the Sayfo Centennial

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Mor Yacoub of Sarough Cathedral in Sabtieh - Mount Lebanon during which he launched from Lebanon the centennial Commemoration of Sayfo. He has presented a wreath of flowers in memory of the Sayfo martyrs. The Divine Liturgy was attended by many officials and dignitaries as well as His Beatitude Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan and other religious leaders and representatives. 

During the Qurobo, His Holiness has lit a flame in memory of the Sayfo martyrs. In his sermon, His Holiness stressed that the goal of this commemoration is not to encourage hatred, but to make sure that such acts will not be repeated. 

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness and the participants visited the exhibition of photos and paintings that depict scenes from Sayfo. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.709148095849626.1073741987.558842500880187&type=1

His Holiness opened the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Churches

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II opened the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Churches which took place at St. Aphrem Church in Achrafieh - Beirut, Lebanon. This year, the theme is "Give me to drink". The patriarchs and their representatives participated in the prayer: Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos Aram I, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Armenian Catholic Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX. 

His Holiness welcomed his guests and spoke about the importance of the unity of the church. He also emphasized that the different churches can work together to fix a common date to celebrate Easter together asking what would stop this from being realized? His Holiness encouraged the political parties in Lebanon also to become united and to elect a new president as well as work together and agree on a new law for the parliamentary elections. 

He spoke about the crisis in Syria and the forced immigration in Northern Iraq which comes on all Christians alike, and that the solution is to be united in order to face this calamity.

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.709156585848777.1073741988.558842500880187&type=1

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received the President of the Episcopal Committee for the Ecumenical Relations of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received the President of the Episcopal Committee for the Ecumenical Relations, of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, Mgr. Semaan Atallah, and the secretary of the committee Fr. Tanios Khalil, in the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon. Were present also their Eminences the Archbishops: Mor Philoxenus Matta Shemoun and Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant. During the visit, His Grace Mgr. Atallah gave a survey of the work of the committee and invited His Holiness to participate in the Opening of the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Churches. 
In turn, His Holiness thanked the president and secretary of the committee for the invitation and emphasized the big role that this week of prayer has in strengthening the spirit of unity among Christians.

 

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/PatriarchIgnatiusAphremII 

Statement by His HOliness regarding republishing of caricatures in "Charlie Hebdo": "Freedom of expression does not allow hurting the feelings of others"

Source: https://www.facebook.com/HisHolinessPatriarchMoranMorIgnatiusAphrem2nd/photos/a.558847650879672.1073741828.558842500880187/707707475993688/?type=1

His Holiness visited the Syrian Prime Minister Dr. Wael Al-Halaqi.

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited the Syrian Prime Minister Dr. Wael Al-Halaqi in Damascus. He was accompanied by their Eminences the Archbishops: Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant, and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Secretary. 

Prime Minister Al-Halaqi welcomed the efforts of His Holiness to spread the true picture of what is going on in Syria to the diverse international fora. He also emphasized the positive role that His Holiness is doing in helping the Syrian citizens go through this crisis and remain attached to their country. 

In turn, Patriarch Aphrem II appreciated the Syrian government’s efforts to maintain national unity and fight all forms of terrorism. He spoke about the different areas where the Syriac Orthodox Church is helping to provide the Syrian people, of all confessions, with the humanitarian help and support. 

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.707102876054148.1073741986.558842500880187&type=1

Visit of Syrian Minister of National Reconciliation Dr. Ali Haydar

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received His Excellency Syrian Minister of National Reconciliation Dr. Ali Haydar in the Patriarchal Headquarters in Damascus - Syria. Their Eminences Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury were also present. His Holiness and His Excellency exchanged about the current situation in Syria and the efforts to bring peace to the suffering people. His Holiness invited His Excellency to a banquet. 

 

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.706856999412069.1073741985.558842500880187&type=1

EPDC Meeting with Regional Syriac Charity Committees

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II met the St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee (EPDC) administrative body and the representatives of the charity committees and organizations in the Syriac Orthodox Archdioceses throughout Syria. Their Eminences Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury were also present. His Holiness gave his directions and guidance to the members of committees in order to better serve the needy and poor and to better serve them according to our Christian mission. Then His Eminence Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant and Executive Manager of EPDC, gave an introductory speech of the work of the EPDC and the distribution of aid to the various regions in Syria and in the Middle East. Afterwards, the executive director of EPDC Mr. Shady Sarwe gave a full report of the work as well as the future plan and organizational structure of the committee. 

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.706635399434229.1073741984.558842500880187&type=1

Visit of Minister of Endowments, Grand Mufti & Muslim Scholars

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received His Excellency Syrian Minister of Endowments Dr. Mohammad Abdelsattar Al-Sayyed, the Grand Mufti of Syria Sheikh Ahmed Badreddine Hassoun and a delegation of Muslim Scholars from Damascus, in the Patriarchal Headquarters in Damascus. Their Eminences Archbishops Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant, and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Secretary, also attended. 

The Minister of Endowments, Grand Mufti and the delegation visited His Holiness to offer season’s greetings as well as congratulating him on the opening of the Centennial Commemoration of the Syriac Genocide “Sayfo”. They emphasized that His Holiness’ firm positions are considered as an awakening call to the international community. They added that His Holiness’ appeal to take the necessary measures and actions to avoid serious crimes against humanity are of high importance. They said that the Centennial Commemoration of the Syriac Genocide is not an expression of hatred, but a reminder that history will not erase the mistakes that were committed, rather they become lessons for all.

On the other hand, His Holiness drew the attention of his guests that “all religions have a message of love and peace”. He added that “all crimes that are committed in the name of one religion or another, do not emanate from religion; rather, they result from a wrong understanding of its teaching. What God is pleased with murder, or needs violence and slaughter to prove its truth?” Patriarch Aphrem II stated that man ought to meditate on the mercy of God instead of imagining Him as a cruel merciless one”. He pointed out that the victims of religious extremism is everyone who loves peace and opposes extremist lines of thought. Then the Minister, Grand Mufti and the delegation visited the Sayfo exhibition and headed to visit the Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Damascus Armash Nalbandian.

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.706329119464857.1073741983.558842500880187&type=1

 

Patriarch Aphrem II: “Syria and Iraq are witnessing a new Genocide” 

(Source: http://english.ankawa.com/?p=13575)

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II opened the centennial commemoration of Sayfo on Sunday January 11, 2015 celebrating the Divine Liturgy at St. George Cathedral in Damascus.

Sayfo is the Syriac name of the genocide that affected the Syriac Christians in the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the twentieth century. The number of victims in Sayfo amounts of half a million Syriac speaking people who were killed in a genocide which aimed at erasing the Christian presence in the region. The Ottoman authorities slaughtered the Syriacs as well as Armenians and other Christians; they confiscated their properties and violated their women. They turned churches into farms or restaurants in order to remove all signs of Christianity in the East.

The Divine Liturgy was attended by Their Excellencies Syrian MP Mrs. Maria Saade, Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Kinda Al-Shammat, Minister of Health Dr. Nizar Wehbe Yaziji and representatives of church leaders in Syria, their Graces: Bishop Aphrem Maalouli representing His Beatitude Greek Orthox Patriarch John X, Bishop Joseph Absi representing His Beatitude Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorius III Lahham, Apostolic Nuncio in Syria Mgr. Mario Zenari, and Armenian Orthodox Bishop of Damascus Armash Nalbandian. His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Mor Selwanos Boutros AL-Nehmeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Environs, Mor Ioannis Boulos Al-Souqi, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Diocese in Damascus. Their Eminences Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Secretary, and Mor Timotheos Matthew, Patriarchal Secretary for Indian Affairs also attended the Divine Liturgy.

His Holiness declared the opening of the Centennial saying: “We gather together today to launch the Centennial Commemoration of the Syriac Genocide ‘Sayfo’ which were committed against our innocent Syriac people, whose only guilt was having a different religion than their slaughterers for they preferred to remain attached to the faith of their fathers and forefathers than changing their religion or way of worship”.

The patriarch highlighted the fact that today is yesterday’s image: “One hundred years after Sayfo, we are confronting a new genocide. New persecutors have emerged and are killing all those who refuse injustice or to change their religion. It seems they are trying to accomplish what was not completed a hundred years ago. His tools may have changed a little, but his goal is one, to kill those who refuse to be deprived of their liberties”. He added that “our message today is clear, and we launch it from the historical capital Damascus, so the entire world knows that this is our land and we will not renounce it whatever the reasons. We cry out loud with St. Paul saying: what shall separate us from the love of Christ – and our country – Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

Patriarch Aphrem explained that: “what the Syrian and Iraqi people are experiencing these days – namely immigration, slaughter by the enemies of good and humanity – is a crime of the level of a genocide, a genocide of the human souls and civilizations that have existed in these regions”. He also criticized the international organizations of Human Rights that closely observe these crimes and do not react in the appropriate measure.
His Holiness said that the 1915 genocide resulted in 500 thousand Syriac-speaking people losing their lives as martyrs of their faith”. He added: “the genocide avouches two reasons: a religious cleansing of Christians from the cradle of Christianity, and the Syriac people never felt belonging to an ethnicity different than theirs, or spoke a language other than Syriac or Arabic. In this way, they stood against the policy that supporting only the Turkish identity on the Ottoman territory”.
Moreover, His Holiness explained that the name Sayfo comes from the Syriac word ‘Sayfo’ which means ‘Sword’ and reflects the horrible way with which our people was put to death. He illustrated this with the example of a mother whose legs and arms were amputated and she was forced to feed her baby holding him with her teeth.

His Holiness Patriarch Aphrem II concluded: “May our Lord pour His mercy on the souls of the martyrs of Sayfo and the martyrs of Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria especially in Sadad, Aleppo, Al-Jazeerah and everywhere in this beloved country”.

After the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness lit the flame which was especially placed for the commemoration of the centennial. Roses were placed in front of the flame in respect of the memory of the martyrs of Sayfo and the martyrs of Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Afterwards, His Holiness opened the Photo exhibition which documents the 1915 massacres and launched the website of the Centennial: www.sayfosyriacgenocide.org

 

News from Other sources:

• http://www.aljoumhouria.com/news/index/201706

• http://sana.sy/قداس-إلهي-بمناسبة-الذكرى-المئوية-لمذا.html

• http://www.rtv.gov.sy/index.php?d=21&id=166899

• http://souriapress.com/?p=6006449

 

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SAYFO facebook page

Official Facebook page of the Centennial Commemoration of the Syriac Genocide "Sayfo"

هذه الصفحة الرسمية للذكرى المئوية لمجازر الإبادة السريانية "سيفو"

https://www.facebook.com/pa…/SAYFO-1915-2015/482487871853986

 

Link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SAYFO-1915-2015/482487871853986

  Opening Ceremony of the Sayfo Centennial - Damascus

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II opened the centennial commemoration of Sayfo on Sunday January 11, 2015 celebrating the Divine Liturgy at St. George Cathedral in Damascus. 

The Divine Liturgy was attended by Their Excellencies Syrian Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Kinda Al-Shammat, Syrian MP Mrs. Maria Saade, and representatives of church leaders in Syria, their Graces: Bishop Aphrem Maalouli representing His Beatitude Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X, Bishop Joseph Absi representing His Beatitude Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorius III Lahham, Apostolic Nuncio in Syria Mgr. Mario Zenari, Armenian Orthodox Bishop of Damascus Armash Nalbandian and Rev. Boutros Zaour of the Evangelical church of Damascus. His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Mor Selwanos Boutros AL-Nehmeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Environs, and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Secretary. Their Eminences Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Ioannis Boulos Al-Souqi, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Diocese in Damascus, and Mor Timotheos Matthew, Patriarchal Secretary for Indian Affairs also attended the Divine Liturgy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.705755992855503.1073741982.558842500880187&type=1

 

His Holiness to celebrate the Holy Qurobo  and launch the Centennial of the Syriac Genocide SAYFO on Sunday January 11, 2015 at 5:00 pm at St. Georges Cathedral in Bab Touma - Damascus

 

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/PatriarchIgnatiusAphremII

Patriarch's Note to Mor Gregorios Yuhanna Ibrahim

My Dear Brother Metropolitan Mor Gregorios Yuhanna Ibrahim

Happy St. John's Day

I have never thought that I would celebrate the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, which you annually observe as your personal patron feast day, without personally offering you my greetings and congratulations. Likewise, I have never thought that I would visit your beloved archdiocese of Aleppo without seeing you moving constantly around your offices and working non-stop helping your parishioners and non-parishioners alike.

My visit to Aleppo to celebrate Christmas confirmed to me what I have always known; the love of your entire archdiocese and the longing to have you with them at the earliest. They continue to shed their tears and offer their prayers for your immediate release together with your brother Metropolitan Paul Yaziji and other abductees.

My dear brother, together with all your friends, I remain hopeful that you will come back to us soon, because we know that you are in God's care and under His divine protection. I assure you that we are doing and will do all that we can to secure your release. Your release is our priority and the cause of the whole church and the entire peace-loving people throughout the world.

Tomorrow, as we celebrate the Holy Qurobo (Divine Liturgy) in observance of the feast of your personal patron saint, St. John the Baptist, we will pray for you that you may be among us soon. We also ask you to remember me and the entire church during your prayers in your captivity. Once again, happy St. John's Feast. See you soon.

Yours truly

Ignatius Aphrem II

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/PatriarchIgnatiusAphremII

His Holiness attended the Divine Liturgy for Christmas and Epiphany celebrated by Armenian Orthodox Bishop of Damascus

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II attended the Divine Liturgy for Christmas and Epiphany according to the Armenian Rite celebrated by Armenian Orthodox Bishop of Damascus Armash Nalbandian at St. Sarkis Church in Bab Sharqi – Damascus. His Holiness was accompanied by their Eminences: Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant, and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Secretary. Moreover, the Divine Liturgy was the inauguration of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. After the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness also participated in the inauguration of the memorial for the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness and Bishop Armash then received a commemoration picture for the centennial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/HisHolinessPatriarchMoranMorIgnatiusAphrem2nd/posts/702750643156038

 

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II opened a Charity Food Market organized by the "Emanuel Family" for people with special needs

 

       

Source: https://www.facebook.com/HisHolinessPatriarchMoranMorIgnatiusAphrem2nd/posts/702754783155624

His Holiness celebrated Holy Qurobo on the occasion of the Feast of the Epiphany at St. Georges Cathedral in Bab Touma

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Divine Liturgy (Holy Qurobo) on the occasion of the Feast of the Epiphany at St. Georges Cathedral in Bab Touma. He was assisted by His Eminence Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant. His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Secretary, was also present. In his sermon, His Holiness spoke about the theological significance of the Feast of the Epiphany (or Theophany). He said that this is how the Lord God manifested His Triune nature to us and revealed to us that He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He also spoke about the sacrament of baptism and its meaning in the life of the faithful.

 

 

 

 

Source (10 photos): https://www.facebook.com/HisHolinessPatriarchMoranMorIgnatiusAphrem2nd/posts/702747903156312

 

His Holiness received a delegation of Catholic Bishops of Damascus

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received a delegation of Catholic Bishops of Damascus who congratulated him on the occasion of Christmas and New Year. The delegation included their Graces: Armenian Catholic Bishop of Damascus Mgr. Joseph Arnaouti, Greek Catholic General Patriarchal Vicar Mgr. Joseph Absi, Latin Apostolic Delegate in Syria Mgr. Georges Abi Khazen, Franciscan Abbot Raymond Gergi as well as priests from the Catholic parishes in Damascus. His Eminence Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak, Patriarchal Assistant and His Grace Mor Ioannis Boulos Al-Souqi, Patriarchal Vicar in Damascus also attended the meeting.

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.701778783253224.1073741974.558842500880187&type=1

His Holiness ended his apostolic visit to Erbil for the New Year after spending 5 days with the displaced families listening to their problems and sharing their suffering.

 

           

 

            Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.700396816724754.1073741973.558842500880187&type=1

 

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Ishtar TV holds an interview with His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II after his visit to Erbil.

 

           

 

           

 

            Source: https://www.facebook.com/HisHolinessPatriarchMoranMorIgnatiusAphrem2nd/posts/700410716723364

His Holiness visited the Governor of Erbil Mr. Nouzad Hady

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited the Governor of Erbil Mr. Nouzad Hady and discussed with him the situation of the displaced families currently living in Kurdistan. His Holiness thanked Mr. Hady for all the efforts made to help these families.

 

 

 

Source:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.700317306732705.1073741972.558842500880187&type=1

His Holiness visited HE Mr. Karim Senjari, Minister of Interior in the government of Kurdistan.

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited HE Mr. Karim Senjari, Minister of Interior in the government of Kurdistan. They discussed the situation of the immigrants and displaced as well as the ways of helping them. His Holiness thanked His Excellency Minister Senjari for the cooperation and aid provided to the displaced families. He also stressed on the importance of helping Christians remain in their homeland and he hoped that peace and stability will return soon to the region. Furthermore, he concluded that everyone has the duty to fight terrorism in Iraq as well as in Syria since the attacks in both countries seem connected. His Holiness and His Excellency exchanged gifts at the end of the visit.

 

 

 

Source:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.700272963403806.1073741971.558842500880187&type=1