Entrance of Greek Catholic Melkite Patriarch to Damascus

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II welcomed His Beatitude Joseph Absi, Greek Catholic Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Alexandria and Jerusalem, at the entrance of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate in Bab Touma in Damascus.

His Beatitude is entering Damascus on the first time since his election as a Patriarch. Their Eminences and Excellencies the Archbishops of Damascus also welcomed him.

Two Scouts from our Syriac Orthodox Church presented His Beatitude with flowers as a sign of welcoming him.

His Holiness and His Beatitude then marched in a procession to the Greek Catholic Patriarchate where His Beatitude was welcomed as the new patriarch.

A thanksgiving prayer followed at the Lady of the Dormition Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Sharqi.

His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, and Very Rev. Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director.

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