Following the retirement of His Grace Bishop Mor Iwannis Boulos Al-Souqi from the Patriarchal Vicariate of the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II appointed His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury as Patriarchal Vicar of the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus.

Below is a translation of the Apostolic Bull addressed to the clergy and parishioners of the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus:

We offer our apostolic blessing and prayers to our spiritual children Reverend priests, deacons and deaconesses, members of the boards, associations, and working institutions, and the faithful of our blessed Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus.

We had accepted the retirement of His Grace our brother in Christ Bishop Mor Iwannis Boulos Al-Souqi and nominated His Eminence our brother in Christ Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury to be the Patriarchal Vicar of the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus. We asked for the opinion of their Eminences the Archbishops, members of the Holy Synod.

Furthermore, His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury is an experienced administrator with the necessary education for this spiritual responsibility. He is a loved character with high morality and a biography full of virtues. Moreover, he has the wisdom of the elders. We have observed his firm attachment to the doctrine of the Church and to its holy Syriac language.

After receiving the supporting answer of most of the Fathers of the Holy Synod, we announce the appointment of His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury as the Patriarchal Vicar of the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus. We vest him the administrative, spiritual and pastoral authorities defined by article 97 of the constitution of our Holy Syriac Orthodox Church.

We congratulate His Eminence Archbishop Matta Al-Khoury for his new appointment and pray for his success in his ministry as well as the development of the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus.

We advise you to collaborate with His Eminence and follow his guidance for the good and growth of the Archdiocese. May the grace of God be with you all. ܘܐܒܘܢ ܕܒܫܡܝܐ ܘܫܪܟܐ