Ordination of Rev. Fr. Youhanon Yaacoub as Priest

On November 18, 2018, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma – Damascus.

He was assisted by their Eminences: Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous, and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matthew, and Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates.

During the Holy Qurobo, His Holiness ordained Rev. Qashisho Youhanon Yaacoub to be a priest in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus.

In his sermon, His Holiness spoke about the Sunday of Annunciation to Zachariah. He considered that Zachariah and Elizabeth did not have a baby, not because they were not righteous; on the contrary, they were at a high level of righteousness; however, the importance of their son to be – John the Baptist – required that he be born in a special way. This proves clearly that “the things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27). His Holiness added that the greatest lesson we learn from these two who were well advanced in years is that our confidence in God should be strong. He said that as humans, we are weak, no matter how big our faith was, especially when the promises of God do not come to actualization according to our timings. This is because we have a short sight; God, however, knows what is good for our lives, and He has a suitable timing for everything.

His Holiness then congratulated the new ordained priest wishing him a fruitful service in the yard of the Lord, despite the fact the way is narrow and hard. However, His Holiness added, Fr. Youhanon knows very well that God will always be by His side and will accompany him in his service.

At the end of the ordination rite, Fr. Youhanon gave a word in which he considered that he finds himself weak before the great sacrament of priesthood. However, he puts his faith in the Lord, asking the prayers of His Holiness and all who are present, that our Lord Jesus may give him, as John the beloved, to lean back on Jesus’ breast, and kneel before His cross, and preach His great love to all the people. The new priest then thanked the Lord for this great blessing. He also blessed His Holiness the Patriarch, and His Eminence the Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, as well as all their Eminences the Archbishops present, and the priests, monks, nuns, deacons, in addition to his family, wife, and all who had a positive role during his formation years.

After the Qurobo, the new priest received congratulations in the Patriarchal Hall.

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