Patriarch Ephrem II celebrates the memory of Patriarch Ignatius Elias III

Dubai – Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mar Ignatius Ephrem II celebrated the Divine Liturgy in memory of Patriarch Ignatius Elias III in the Cathedral of Saint Ignatius in Dubai.

The Divine Liturgy was attended by a number of bishops and priests and a large number of believers.

In his sermon His Holiness Mar Ignatius Ephrem II talked about the circumstances Patriarch Ignatius Elias III had to deal with and the persecutions he witnessed. He also talked about his endeavor to bring peace and how he devoted his life to worship and the testimony of God.

His Holiness also stressed that the Lord chose patriarch Ignatius Elias III to lead the Syriac Orthodox Church. Patriarch Ignatius Elias III managed to lead by gathering the sons and daughters of the church around Jesus Christ. He listed his merits, especially his love for ascetic life and his work to unify the parish of Christ, especially in India. He did not hesitate to travel there despite his old age and poor health.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness blessed the new ecclesiastical parish committee and thanked the outgoing committee for its efforts in building the church. He also thanked the believers for their love and zeal for the Church and for inviting him to participate in this blessed spiritual celebration.

His Holiness also launched the new application of the parish, through which the parishioners will be able to follow church news and events and to communicate better with each other.