Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross and Ordination of Monks

On the occasion of the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral in Mor Aphrem Monastery in Maarat Saydnaya.

Their Eminences Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar of the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, Mor Timotheos Matthew, Patriarchal Secretary for Indian Affairs, and Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Al-Jazeerah and Euphrates assisted His Holiness in the Holy Qurobo. His Eminence Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Environs also attended the Holy Qurobo.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness tonsured Deacon Aphrem (Louis) Fernandez and the two seminarian deacons Behnam (Faiez) Babawy and Daniel Chamoun, and ordained them as monks.

His Holiness spoke about monkhood as a life of devotion for prayer and meditation as well as the salvation of one’s self.

He also commented on the gospel of the day and explained the meaning of the signs of times while he emphasized the importance of not being afraid when we believe in the power of the Holy Cross which will give the faithful the strength and patience to endure the difficulties and tribulations.

The Holy Qurobo was attended by more than 200 youth from the different Syriac Orthodox archdioceses in Syria.

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