On April 23, 2021, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II attended a Recital entitled “Light after Darkness” on the occasion of the Great Lent and Easter, at St. George Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma – Damascus.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Anthimos Jack Yacoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education, Mor Yacoub Babawi, Patriarchal Vicar for Monks Affairs and the Administration of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya, and Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Damascus Armash Nalbandian also attended the recital as well as the clergy of the Archdiocese.

At the beginning, His Holiness prayed the special intercessory prayer for the Virgin Mary for the safe return of the Two abducted Archbishops of Aleppo Mor Gregorius Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yaziji. Then, in the context of the series of spiritual lectures delivered during the Holy Lent, His Eminence Mor Anthimos Jack Yacoub spoke about the copper serpent as a symbol of the cross.

The recital included hymns in Syriac and other languages on the occasion of the Great Lent, the Passions of Christ as well as Easter and Resurrection. The participants were from Syria and other participants from Lebanon, USA, Dubai and Sweden also were part of the recital through the social media.

At the end of the recital, the common statement issued on the occasion of the 8 years of the Abduction of the two Archbishops was read. His Holiness concluded with a spiritual word on the hope that the Lord Jesus Christ gives us through His victorious resurrection and how this hope is never disappointing because it is founded on truth and love.