Syrian Patriarch Aphrem II visited the Holy Land

JERUSALEM, 05/12/2023 (KAP) Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Mor Avram II has paid a visit to the Holy Land in recent days, the Pro Oriente media service reported Friday. He met with church leaders in the region, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In his meeting with Abbas in Ramallah, according to the press service “Syria Express”, he stressed, among other things, the importance of the Christian presence in Palestine, which must be preserved and strengthened. The protection of human rights and possible solutions to the conflict in the Middle East were other topics discussed.

In Jerusalem, Patriarch Avram II met the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Deepening ecumenical relations and a shared commitment to Christian pilgrims at the site were among the topics of conversation preceded by ecumenical prayer in the Church of the Latin Patriarchate.

He also met the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, and the Maronite Bishop Musa Al-Hajj. The Patriarch was received in Bethlehem by Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh.

Patriarch Ephraim II presided over masses at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Mark’s Syriac Orthodox Monastery in Jerusalem, the Patriarch conducted the enthronement ceremony of the new Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, Mar Anthimos Jacques Jacob. The program also included visits to Jericho and the site of the baptism of Jesus Christ on the Jordan River.

Many Syriac Orthodox bishops from all over the world accompanied the Patriarch on his trip. Eventually he went straight to Britain for a pastoral visit, arriving on Thursday. Among other things, he will open a new Syrian Orthodox church in Manchester.