Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

On August 14, 2019, on the occasion of the assumption of the Virgin Mary, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo at the Grotto of the Holy Girdle in Mor Aphrem Monastery in Maarat Saydnaya.

His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences: Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, and Mor Anthimos Jack Yacoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education.

In his sermon, His Holiness spoke about the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and how St. Thomas was blessed to witness the transfer of her body to the heaven and to receive her belt as the only relic of the Virgin Mary.

He also spoke about the discovery of the holy belt by Late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem I who read about it in an old manuscript’s cover. He reminded the faithful of the small part of the belt that is placed in the grotto for the blessing of all the visitors.

At the end of the Qurobo, the faithful received the blessing of the relic.

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