Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch on a historic meet at the ‘Valley of Christians’: Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II Celebrates Divine Liturgy at the Eastern Orthodox Monastery of St George
Prakash Varghese (OCP Delegate of UAE, Gulf and Levant Region)
OCP News Service
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Homs: His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch & All East along with a high level delegation from the Universal Syraic Orthodox Church were received by His Beatitude John X of Antioch and all East at the historic St George Anthiochian Orthodox Monastery located at ‘Valley of the Christians’ in the town of Meshtaye in Northwestern Syria on 17 August 2014.
On 18th August Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II in the presence of John X of Antioch. The Liturgy was also attended by large number of Orthodox faithful particularly several children who were abandoned due to the crisis in the area. His Excellency Talal al-Barazi, the Governor of Homs was also present for the auspicious occasion. After the Liturgy a joint prayer for peace was made by the two Orthodox hierarchs.
The meeting is considered to be historic, as the Byzantine Greek Orthodox Monastery and the Primate of the Greek Church of Antioch has hosted the Oriental Orthodox Primate of Antioch were he celebrated the Divine Liturgy with participation of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox faithful after several decades.
Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II stressed the need for peace in the area and also thanked Patriarch John X for the historic reception. Governor Talal al-Barazi spoke on the importance of the values religious tolerance also on the details of reconciliation that has been achieved in many areas. He concluded that there needs immense effort from all sides to preserve the history and civilization of Syria.
Source:
OCP news Service
