On September 4, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received His Excellency Mr Zafer Sirakaya, Vice President of the AK Party and Director of the External Relations, Mr. Tuncay Akkoyun, Governor of Mardin, Mr. Veysi Shahin, Head of the Municipality of Midyat, Mr. Mehmet Kaya, Qaimaqam of Midyat, at Mor Gabriel Monastery.
Their Eminences: Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, Archbishop of Turabdin, Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Cetin, Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, Mor Dioscoros Benjamin Atas, Patriarchal Vicar of Sweden, Mor Philoxenus Saliba Ozmen, Archbishop of Mardin, Diyarbakir and Environs, Mor Gregorius Malke Urek, Patriarchal Vicar of Adiyaman and Environs, Mor George Kourieh, Patriarchal Vicar of Belgium, France and Luxembourg, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, and Mor Youhanon Lahdo, Archbishop of Sweden and Scandinavia, attended the meeting.
His Excellency Mr. Sirakaya expressed his joy to meet His Holiness at Mor Gabriel Monastery, which has a special value for Turkiye as a symbol for its rich history and a sign of the culture of tolerance. He assured his continuous support for the monastery and the historical Syriac places which reflect the diversity in Turkiye
In turn, His Holiness welcomed his guests and appreciated the efforts of Turkiye in preserving the ethnic and religious identity and diversity of its citizens. This affirms the greatness of the civilizations that enriched this land throughout the centuries. He expressed his joy to visit the different villages of Turabdin which are the homeland of our ancestors. He pointed out to the progress in the infrastructure and services provided in these villages which encourages its people to return and rebuild their houses. He thanked the government of Turkiye for the special care they offered in preparation for this apostolic visit.
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