The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the church…

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the church of the Holy Cross, on the anniversary of the feast of the intercessor of the department of Ecumenical Relations and Development of the Patriarchate of Antioch.

13- 10 -2016

                   On the anniversary of the feast of the intercessor of the office of the department of Ecumenical Relations and Development of the Patriarchate of Antioch, His Beatitude John X, presided over the Divine Liturgy praying for the health of the working team of this office. His Beatitude was helped in the Divine Liturgy by the following bishops:

-         His Grace bishop Mousa Alkhoury.

-         His Grace bishop Nicolas Baalbecki.

-         His Grace bishop Ephraim Maalouli.

-         A group of priests and deacons.

-         Representatives from the Syrian State and the local and international, developmental and humanitarian activities participated in the Liturgy, besides the staff of the office from all the Syrian Provinces, with a huge crowd of the faithful.

                    With words full of love, hope, and optimism, His Beatitude explained in his sermon that humanitarian work achieved by the patriarchal office is a sign of love towards the other person.

                   For this reason, the team of the department is the humanitarian arm of the church which serves the other person, regardless of his religion, race, or color.

                    His Beatitude emphasized in his sermon on the love of the other person and on charity and love according to the words of the Lord “Love one another”, and love your neighbor as much as you love yourselves.

                    The Samaritan is a symbol of Christ whom we have to follow and imitate when we serve the other person, whosoever this person is.

                    His Beatitude prayed for the health and prosperity of the team of the patriarchal department and its director conveying wholehearted congratulation and blessing to them asking the Lord to help continue the work and its development with fruits for good service achieved.

                  After the Divine Liturgy His Beatitude John X with Mrs. Salwa Abdullah (the Syrian minister) inaugurated the fair of homemade products prepared and completed by those taking advantage of the program “On Occupational Training”, offered and done by the patriarchal department.

                  In his tour around and in the inaugurated fair, His Beatitude encouraged the participants (in the fair) to keep on giving and working, praising their fruitful efforts and expressing his admiration of the products and granting his blessings to the organizers of the works.

                  Then they all met with His Beatitude at the table of agape prepared by the department in honor of His Beatitude with the beloved visitors.