On Sunday September 21, 2014, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo (Divine Liturgy) in St. Athanasius Church in Tampa-Florida. His Holiness was assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Shabo, Pastor of St. Aphrem Cathedral in Aleppo and Rev. Fr. Samuel Gumus, Pastor of St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Germany.

Rev. Fr. John Kouki, Pastor of St. Athanasius Church, welcomed His Holiness and the visiting priests. He thanked His Holiness for his apostolic visit and care for the parish.

His Holiness spoke about being always alert in spiritual life. He also emphasized on the importance of prayer and reading the Bible as spiritual weapons in our fight against evil in this world. He also mentioned how important it is to hold firm to the Christian teachings and getting away from sin and what causes it.