Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II Visits Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople

OCP News Service – 17/10/2023

Constantinople- Turkey: HH Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of Syrian Orthodox Church visited Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople during his Patriarchal visit to Turkey on 16 October 2023. Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II was received by Patriarch Sahag II Mashalian of Constantinople.

His Holiness was accompanied by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Cetin, Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, Mor Theophilos George Saliba, Patriarchal Advisor, Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, Archbishop of Turabdin, Mor Dioscoros Benjamin Atas, Patriarchal Vicar in Sweden, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant.

The visit began with a cordial welcome outside the Holy Mother Cathedral, where the two spiritual leaders were greeted. They were then led into the cathedral in a solemn procession, marked by prayer. A special meal was held in celebration of this visit.

The Spiritual Leader of the Armenian Church welcomed the visiting Syrian Patriarch, emphasizing the importance of their inter-church relations. He commended the Syrian Church for its continued good relations with the Armenian Church and expressed his prayers for the visiting spiritual leader, acknowledging the challenges faced by spiritual leaders in the Middle East.

Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II expressed his joy at being hosted in an important center of the Armenian Church. He recounted his visit to Turkey after the earthquake, where he witnessed the damage to churches and the suffering of the people. This visit coincided with the opening of a newly built Syrian Church in Istanbul, a momentous occasion for the Syrian community and sister churches alike. His Holiness emphasized that they all serve the same faith despite differences in language and culture, highlighting the close relationship between sister churches.

The visit concluded with a procession and further discussions between the two spiritual leaders and their delegations.

Source:
OCP News Service