Holy Qurobo at St. Georges Church – Aleppo
Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – 25/4/18
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo and the Ceremonial Communion at St. Georges Church in Al-Suryan area in Aleppo.
Their Eminences Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nemeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Tartous, and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, assisted His Holiness in the Qurobo.
Very Rev. Raban Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Delegate in Aleppo and Environs, as well as monks, priests and deacons served the Qurobo.
In his sermon, His Holiness explained the Gospel of the Qurobo. He considered that “if we have faith in the Lord, we shall have good part with Him, for He gives abundantly to those who believe in Him.” His Holiness added “life near Christ gives us luminous eyes for He is the True Light.” The apostles didn’t know the Lord because they went away from Him, His Holiness added.
He then spoke about the two abducted bishops; he said: “we wanted to be with you today, which is a hard day for the beloved faithful in Aleppo.” He assured that “We let no day pass without praying for the sake of the bishops; thousands are united with us in this prayer, faithful of various churches, and international organizations.” His Holiness noted the hard work of the Patriarchal Delegate in Aleppo, as well as all the priests, councils, and church organizations in the service of the Archdiocese; however, His Holiness considered that the absence of Mor Gregorius Youhanna Ibrahim has had a great influence on the Archdiocese.
His Holiness then congratulated the children participating in the communion, and instructed them to stay close to God and lead a life of holiness.
During the Holy Qurobo, the common statement issued by His Holiness our Patriarch and His Beatitude Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East John X, for the 5-year commemoration of the two abducted archbishops.
