His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited St. Mary Church in Gutersloh.
He was accompanied by their Eminences Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Julius Hanna Aydin, Director of the Foreign Relations in Germany, Mor Dioscoros Benjamin Atas, Patriarchal Vicar in Sweden, Mor Polycarpus Augin Aydin, Patriarchal Vicar in The Netherlands, and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus.
The priests and parishioners of the three parishes in Gutersloh (St. Mary Church, St. Stephen Church and St. Luke Church) met at St. Mary Church to greet His Holiness and receive his blessings.
His Holiness was welcomed by the parish priests, choirs, and scout band. He presided over the evening prayer. He then addressed the crowds of faithful who gathered in a public event organized by the three parishes.
In his speech, His Holiness mentioned the importance of remaining united in the diaspora. He called all the Syriac faithful to continue to work together, support each other and keep the faith that our forefathers spent their lives to defend and preserve. He also spoke about the ways to integrate in the German society without loosing the moral values that distinguish our people. He also spoke about the importance to work for the common good of the community and always keep the name of our church resonant with the old culture, education and civilization that belongs to it.

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