Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew warmly reciprocated, emphasizing his hope for peace in the Middle East and extending congratulations to the Patriarch for the reestablishment of communion between the Churches of Antioch and Jerusalem.

In addition, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew extended an invitation to Patriarch John of Antioch to visit the Phanar in the near future, fostering a spirit of unity.

During the meeting they discussed the historical relations of the government, the Church, and the people of Greece with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. In addition, they discussed ways for further cooperation, the situation prevailing in the Middle East, and current issues. The military attaché of the Greek Embassy, Nikolaos Salpingidis, the Archmandrite, George Yacoub, and the Archmandrite, Yacoub Khalil, dean of the Theological Institute of St. John of Damascus – Balamant University, also participated in the meeting.

Bishop Romanos Al-Hannat, the Patriarchal Vicar and Secretary of the Holy Synod, presided over the Divine Liturgy in the presence of Bishop Moussa al-Khoury, and Bishop Arsenios Dahdal.

The Divine Liturgy was attended by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Greek Embassy in Damascus, Nikolaos Protonotarios, embassy staff, and members of the Greek community.

At the end of the liturgy, the Patriarchal Vicar congratulated the Greek Ambassador and the attendees on behalf of the Patriarch. The Patriarchal Vicar also conveyed the blessings and paternal prayers of Patriarch John X, extending his congratulations to the Greek Embassy and those present and wishing Greece continued prosperity and blessings.

Source: Patriarchate of Antioch

They call on all their children to consecrate next Sunday in all the parishes of the Antiochian See for raising prayers that God may grant justice and peace in the land of peace, and to collect aid donations to relieve this afflicted people.

Understanding that the current circumstances require intensification of prayer and cooperation, the Holy Synod decided to restore the severed ecclesiastical relations with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The Synod assigned the committee in charge at the Patriarchate to communicate with the brethren from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and solve the dispute over ecclesiastical jurisdiction of “Qatar”, thus preserving the right of ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Antiochian See.

The Synod also decided to send a Church delegation to visit Amman, expressing love from the people of the Antiochian See to the people of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and standing by them in these difficult and crucial circumstances.

The main purpose of the conference was to deepen the heritage and ministry of the Church of Antioch, especially during the turbulent period from the 15th to the end of the 18th century. This era was marked by significant historical transitions, and the conference aimed to shed light on how the Church of Antioch faced the multifaceted challenges of that period. In particular, they focused on both the history and the circumstances surrounding the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.

Patriarch John X of Antioch delivered a speech at the opening of the International Scientific Conference: “On this blessed evening, I am pleased to be among you to inaugurate together, from the blessed hill of Balamand, the International Scientific Conference on “The Orthodox Church of Antioch from the 15th to the 18th century: Towards an accurate understanding of History”,” he pointed out.

“An accurate understanding of history, as stated in the title of the conference, requires adherence to scientific principles. The written recording of history is not a personal view but a set of truths and facts that we need to study in order to understand what really happened at a certain period of time and draw conclusions. Since our main topic deals with church history, it is our mission to tackle this particular matter, to repair what is broken, to heal the wounds and to put the pieces of the puzzle together,” the Patriarch added.

“The topics of this conference will allow you to appreciate the Renaissance vision that the Church of Antioch tried to achieve despite the difficult social situation and the challenges in the Middle East at that time. No matter how much some people try to question or distort the facts, they are unable to hide what has been achieved throughout the years,” he stressed.

Also, the Patriarch concluded in his speech: “We also need to speak the truth about what is happening in occupied Palestine. Palestine is ‘crucified’ due to selfish interests of nations. Palestine is bleeding along with crucified Jesus Christ on Calvary. We support the right of Palestinians to have their own land as well as the establishment of their state. We stand by the people who are suffering from bitterness, siege, imprisonment, murder and displacement. Peace cannot prevail at the expense of the corpses of children, slaughtered men and women, nor it can be achieved by shedding the blood of the innocent. What is happening in Palestine is the result of the violation of human dignity, the disregard for international law and all decisions, pure discrimination and oppression.

Therefore, we call for the immediate cessation of the war in Gaza. The people of Gaza are paying the price of a suffocating siege with their own blood. We call on the Muslims and Christians to see Jerusalem as the path leading to our Lord. We beg our Lord to send His divine justice and mercy.”

The Holy Synod of Antioch Patriarchate will focus on major challenges and the canonization of new Saints.

The Patriarch was accompanied by Metropolitan Saba Esber and Bishops Thomas Joseph, John Abdullah and Anthony Michael. Upon his arrival at the monastery, Bishop Gerasimos (Ecumenical Patriarchate), Father Paisios, the abbot of the monastery, and the monks held a reception in his honor.

During the Thanksgiving prayer, Bishop Gerasimos welcomed Patriarch John. He conveyed the love and supplications of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Archbishop of America at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan Elpidophoros. In turn, the Patriarch of Antioch expressed happiness visiting the monastery, stressing the importance of monastic life as a witness for Christ. His Beatitude also stressed the strong relationship between the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

After the thanksgiving prayer, the Patriarch paid honor at the tomb of Father Ephrem, the founder of the monastery by trisagion service.

Source: Patriarchate of Antioch

The meeting touched on the status of the Antiochian Church in the homeland and abroad.

Source: Patriarchate of Antioch

The Patriarch also communicated with the Archimandrite Anthony Bitar, Patriarchal Vicar of the Vicariate of Sweden and Scandinavian Countries, and with Samia Karam, Head of the new parish council. The Patriarch wished the new Vicar, the new council, and all the children of the Antiochian Church in Sweden wellness and blessings, asking God to bless their efforts.

Source: Patriarchate of Antioch

The Metropolitans Elias (Archdiocese of Beirut and dependencies); Elias (Archdiocese of Tyre, Sidon, and dependencies); Silouan (Archdiocese of Byblos, Botrys and dependencies); Basilios (Archdiocese of Akkar and dependencies); Ephrem (Archdiocese of Tripoli, Koura and dependencies); Ignatius (Archdiocese of France, Western and Southern Europe); Ghattas (Archdiocese of Baghdad, Kuwait, and dependencies); Antonios (Archdiocese of Zahleh, Baalbek, and dependencies); Nicolas (Archdiocese of Hama and dependencies); Athanasius (Archdiocese of Lattakia and dependencies); Ephrem (Archdiocese of Aleppo, Alexandretta, and dependencies); and Nifon Saikali Metropolitan of Philippopolis and Representative of the Patriarch of Antioch to the Patriarch of Moscow were present. Also in attendance was Bishop Gregorios Khoury, Secretary of the Holy Synod, and Bishop Romanos El-Hannat, Patriarchal Vicar.

The Metropolitans who have apologized for not being able to attend are as follows: Sergio (Archdiocese of Santiago and Chile); Damaskinos (Archdiocese of São Paulo and All Brazil); Saba (Archdiocese of New York and All North America); Isaac (Archdiocese of Germany and Central Europe); Silouan (Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland); Basilios (Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines); Ignatius (Archdiocese of Mexico, Venezuela, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands); Jacques (Archdiocese of Buenos Aires and All Argentina). Metropolitan Boulos Yazigi has been present in the prayers and invocations of the Synod Fathers, despite his physical absence caused by his abduction.

After invoking the Holy Spirit, and begging for divine mercy, the Synod Fathers first examined the issue of the abducted metropolitans of Aleppo, Boulos Yazigi and Youhanna Ibrahim, and denounced the complete international silence over it for over a decade now. They called for unraveling the mystery of this case, which typifies the continuous suffering of the afflicted people of the East.

As this meeting comes in the midst of the blessed Pascha, and after the devastating earthquake that struck numerous territories belonging to the Antiochian Patriarchate, the Synod Fathers offered thankfulness to the Risen Christ, Who trampled down the power of the earthquake’s death and made the witness of the faithful in the Mother Land of Antioch a splendid witness to the power of His glorious Resurrection. Hence, the Synod Fathers expressed, along with His Beatitude, their pridefulness in the Orthodox people of Antioch and their appreciation of these people’s steadfastness and adherence to their faith, despite the ordeal that befell them. The Patriarch and the delegation accompanying him experienced this fact during their pastoral visit to the earthquake-affected Antiochian cities. The Synod Fathers beg the Lord God to continue opening new ways for the Antiochian Archdioceses to support in every way possible these regions and to alleviate this painful affliction. The Synod expresses its gratitude to the faithful in the homeland and countries abroad, and to all those who have come to the aid of the afflicted brothers and sisters, and for the sincere love, they have shown.

The Synod Fathers prayed for the whole Orthodox world, asking the Risen Lord to protect His Church from divisions. They expressed their solidarity with the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who are suffering from the scourge of war and the injustice of religious persecution. They appealed to the world leaders to pay attention to all that is being done against the children and leaders of this Church, in terms of discrimination, and violation of human rights and religious freedom. This has amounted to their expulsion from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a place which they rebuilt after its previous destruction.

The Synod Fathers also extended heartfelt greetings to the dignified Islamic denominations on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr, which returns this year in an atmosphere that inspires hope in the Arab world. The atmosphere of rapprochement is initiated by leaders with wisdom that deserve all appreciation and praise because this atmosphere offers peace among the peoples of this East and puts it above all other considerations. The Synod Fathers pray that the Lord will guide the leaders and presidents to every good work, so that the peoples of the region may enjoy a peaceful life worthy of their kindheartedness and the testimony of fraternal solidarity to which heaven calls them to follow.

The Synod was officially informed by the Patriarch about the letter of resignation submitted by the Arch-shepherd of the Archdiocese of Homs and dependencies, Metropolitan George Abou Zakhem. They were also briefed by the Patriarch on the investigative measures taken by the Patriarch and the opinion of the committee he formed regarding the circumstances and events surrounding the resignation. The Holy Synod accepted the resignation of Metropolitan George Abou Zakhem, and returned him to the monastic state, calling on him to spend the remaining time of his life in the Lord’s mercy and peace.

The Synod Fathers pray for the sons and daughters of the Church of Antioch, wherever they are, so that the Lord God may protect them from the turmoil whose causes are multiplying in the world. They also ask them to pray for the Synod Fathers, so that their ministry may remain pleasing to the Lord and with no reproach, rightly dividing the word of God’s truth.

Christ is Risen!

Source: Patriarchate of Antioch