Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II attends official reception by the Malankara Archdiocese of Northern America

September 2014

On Friday September 19, 2014, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited St. Aphrem Cathedral of the Malankara Archdiocese of Northern America accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Theethose Yeldho. He was received by the priests, deacons and faithful of the parish. His Holiness presided over the prayer service and blessed the faithful. He then attended the official reception which the archdiocese called for in his honor.

Many officials, politicians and public figures attended the reception. The Mayor of Hanover and Township Honorable Ronald Francioli gave His Holiness an honorary key of the county. The representatives of sister churches also participated: His Grace Anba David, Coptic Orthodox Bishop of New York and New England, His Grace Abune Zaccariah, Ethiopian Orthodox Bishop of USA, His Grace Mor Eusebius Thomas, Syro-Malankara Catholic Bishop of USA, Rev. Fr. Simon Obdacina and Rev. Fr. Daniel Findakian representing the Armenian Orthodox Bishop of USA His Eminence Khajag Bersomian. They welcomed His Holiness and spoke of his great love. They also appreciated his active role in ecumenical movements and in defending the Christians in the Middle East. In turn, His Eminence Mor Theethose Yeldho thanked His Holiness for the great honor he bestowed upon the faithful of the Archdiocese by attending the reception. He spoke of His Holiness’ love for the church in India and his respect for His Beatitude the Catholicose. He emphasized his important role in strengthening the relations of the church in India with the Apostolic See of Antioch. The delegate of Mor Silvanus Ayub spoke also representing the Knanaya church in the USA.

His Holiness then spoke about the special relations that bond him to the faithful of this archdiocese and greeted Mor Theethose Yeldho for his leadership. He then talked to the audience about the situation of the Christians in the Middle East. He called them to offer support and solidarity with them. He emphasized that we cannot live in fear of injustice; rather, we should realize that we are the sons of light and that Christ has conquered death and this world. He then pointed out that Christians bring peace and tolerance to the community where we live. They provide hope in a better life. He also asked them to pray for the unity of the church especially in India. At the end of the reception, His Holiness gave his apostolic benediction.

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