His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch on an Apostolic visit to the Diocese of Euphrates & Jazeera

QAMISHILI: His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch made a Apostolic visit to the diocese of Euphrates & Jazeera from Oct 28th to 31st. The Patriarchal entourage included, HG Mor Theophilose George Saliba – Metropolitan of Mount Lebanon & Hon. Secretary of the Holy Synod, HG Mor Severios Malke Mourad – Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem, Jordan & Holy Land, HG Mor Silwanos Petrus Isaa Al-Nemeh – Metropolitan of Homs & Hama, HG Mor Philaxinos Saliba Ozmen – Metropolitan of Mardin & Abbot of Deir Za’faran Monastery, HG Mor Justinos Paulose Yousef Safar – Metropolitan of Zahle & Bekaa, HG Mor Philaxinos Mathias Nayis – Patriarchal Assistant & Director of St. Ephraim Theological Seminary, HG Mor Clemis Daniel Korieh – Metropolitan of Beirut & Director of Patriarchal institutions in Lebanon, HG Mor Dionysius Yuhanon Kawaq – Director of the Patriarchal Curie, priests, monk and nuns.

His Holiness the Patriarch was accorded a rousing reception at the Qamishli Airport by HG Mor Osthatheos Matta Roham – Metropolitan of Euphrates & Jazeera, HG Mor Dionysius Behnam Jajawi, Gen. Mazy Najib Salloum – Governor of Hassakah province, government officers, eminent priests from the diocese, representatives of the different councils, Scouts and large crowd of faithful. From the airport, the entourage was taken to the Monastery of Virgin Mary in Hassakah.

Later on His Holiness presided over a public meeting and inaugurated four different projects that were built and completed by the Diocese of Euphrates & Jazeera under the leadership of HG Mor Osthatheos in association with the different councils of the diocese. On the 29th, His Holiness inaugurated the Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Centre, a socio-cultural centre, built adjacent to the St. George Cathedral and the headquarters of the Diocese. This Centre is proposed to be a centre for civilization and cultural development. It has been built as a three storied building. The ground floor comprises a large lounge area, and the first and second floors consists of offices for different religious commissions of the Church, six classrooms to teach the languages and a digital library.

On 30th, His Holiness laid the foundation for the proposed school building adjacent to the Church of Virgin Mary in the neighbourhood of Nazareth. The President of Centre for religious education thanked His Holiness on behalf of the inhabitants of Nazareth and wished a successful completion of the school building project.

On 31st, His Holiness consecrated the newly built Morth Shmooni Church at Maaliki. His Holiness, who arrived at the entrance of the town was carried over their shoulders by the faithful to their church. His Holiness who celebrated the Divine liturgy and consecrated the new church building, congratulated the faithful of Maaliki for having built a beautiful place of worship.

On the same day evening, His Holiness and his entourage were taken in a procession to Qamishli. The occasion was the inauguration of Liberty High School built and donated by the senior & retired Metropolitan HG Mor Dionysius Behnam Jajawi. The faithful lined up the roads leading to the venue to welcome His Holiness.

On 1st morning, His Holiness and the entourage were given a warm farewell at the Qamishli airport on their return to the Patriarchal Headquarters.

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