His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited the Syriac Orthodox Community in Lattaqia. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by Very Rev. Raban Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Delegate in the Archdiocese of Aleppo and Environs, His Excellency the Governor of Lataqia Mr. Ibrahim Al-Salem and the Secretary of the Baath Party Dr. Mohammad Shrayteh at the entrance of the city where crowds gathered to greet His Holiness.
The accompanying delegation included their Eminences Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Secretary, His Grace Bishop Mor Georges Kourieh, Dean of St. Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya, Very Rev. Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, and Deacon Esia Bahdi.
Upon his arrival to St. Andrawos Church, His Grace Greek Orthodox Bishop of Lataqia Mgr. John Mansour represented by Archmandrite Alexi Nassour, and representatives of the Armenian Orthodox, Maronite, Protestant and Latin churches, welcomed His Holiness who entered the church in the midst of the greeting crowds and chanting choirs.
In the church, welcoming speeches were delivered by the governor and the President of the City Council Mr. Siddiq Matraji.
His Holiness expressed his joy to meet our community in Lattaqia and prayed for the souls of the martyrs of Lattaqia who gave their lives defending their country.
After the prayer in the Church, His Holiness greeted His Eminence Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of LAttaqia Mgr. John Mansour and received the guests at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese headquarters. Among the guests were the Mufti of Lataqia Sheikh Zakaria Salwaya, the Mufti of the Region Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, Director of Technical Services Eng. Jammal Ammoun, and Director of Endowments in Lataqia Mr. Fawaz Soufi.

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