His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II meets the Federal President of Germany Mr. Joachim Gauck at the Bellevue Presidential Palace in Berlin.
His Holiness was accompanied by their Eminences Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Julius Hanna Aydin, Director of Foreign Affairs in Germany, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, Very Rev. Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, Mr. Davut Aslan, Head of the Archdiocesan Council, Mr. Daniel Elias and MP Mr. David Erkalp.
During the meeting, His Holiness discussed with His Excellency President Gauck the current situation of Christians in the Middle East and the forced uprooting that they are subject to. They also discussed the situation of the refugees in Germany.
He thanked His Excellency for his efforts in the issue of the Genocide Sayfo and the role he played in the recognition of the German Parliament of this Genocide.
His Holiness asked His Excellency to help as much as possible in the case of the two abducted Archbishops of Aleppo Mor Gregorius Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yaziji and work for their safe and immediate return.His Holiness also spoke about the relation of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Germany and its recognition as an official church in Germany.
 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.