On November 15, 2020, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received His Excellency Ambassador of Austria in Syria Mr. Habs-Peter Glanzer, at Mor Aphrem Monastery in Maarat Saydnaya.

His Eminence Archbishop Mor Yacoub Babawi, Patriarchal Vicar for Monks Affairs and the Administration of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya, and Very Rev. Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, were present in the meeting.

During the meeting, His Holiness offered his condolences to His Excellency for the people who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks in Vienna last week. His Holiness and His Excellency spoke about the current situation in Syria and the effects of the crisis on the Syrian people who are suffering from the sanctions imposed on them.

His Excellency then visited the monastery where His Eminence Mor Yacoub Babawi gave him an overview of the seminary and the services it provides. His Excellency visited the Grotto of the Holy Belt as well as the altar of the Sayfo Martyrs and the memorial of the Centennial of Sayfo Syriac Genocide.