Consecration of the Shrine of the Lady of the Belt (Zunoro)

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – 16/8/17

On the occasion of the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II consecrated the altar of the Virgin Mary at the Shrine of the Lady of the Belt (Zunoro) at Mor Aphrem Monastery in Maarat Saydnaya.

Their Eminences Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, and Mor Timotheos Matthew, Patriarchal Secretary for Indian Affairs assisted His Holiness in the consecration in the presence of their Eminences Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, and Mor Chrysostomos Mikhael Shemoun, Patriarchal Vicar of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh.

At the end of the consecration of the altar, His Holiness placed part of the belt (Zunoro) of the Virgin Mary, as a relic to be preserved in the shrine and to bless all the faithful and visitors who visit the shrine.

His Holiness then celebrated the Holy Qurobo in the newly consecrated shrine. In his sermon, His Holiness gave an overview of the discovery of the belt of the Virgin Mary in Homs by Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum. He then thanked the members of Nazha family who funded the construction of the shrine in memory of their late father Ramy.

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