Honorary Reception for Mario Cardinal Zenari

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II held a formal reception in honor of His Eminence Mario Cardinal Zenari, the Apostolic Nuncio in Damascus, at the Patriarchate in Bab Touma in Damascus.
The reception was attended by His Grace the Grand Mufti of Syria Dr. Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun as well as the heads of the Christian Churches in Damascus or their representatives.
Their Excellencies the Ministers: Minister of Social Affairs Mrs. Rima Al-Qadri, Minister of Higher Education Dr. Atef Naddaf, Minister of Health Dr. Nizar Yaziji, Minister of Environment Dr. Bishr Yaziji, Minister of Interior Commerce Dr. Abdallah Al-Gharbi, were present as well as Presidential Advisers, Members of the Parliament and Diplomats in Syria.
His Holiness welcomed the guests and spoke about the importance of this event to honor His Eminence who is the “Cardinal of Syria”. He also spoke how great is the love of His Eminence to Syria that he asked to extend his diplomatic mission to stay with the Syrian people during the crisis they are experiencing. In reference to the situation in Syria, His Holiness said that there is an optimism about the near future, especially with the recent developments in Aleppo and its liberation from the terrorists.
His Eminence Cardinal Zenari thanked His Holiness Patriarch Aphrem II and affirmed that he will continue to love Syria because it has always been dear to him.
His Grace the Grand Mufti spoke about the unity of the Syrian people and their common heritage and love for their country.
He also said that Syria is the source of the monotheistic religions and that the prophets came from it and spread their faith among all the other civilizations.
Before moving to the banquet prepared in honor of the Cardinal, His Holiness offered His Eminence the Cardinal a Damascene masterpiece with the map of Syria at its center and the photo of His Eminence, to symbolize his love for Syria.

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