Catholicos-Patriarch of Assyrian Church of the East Mar Gewargis III Sliwa leaves hospital following heart surgery
ANKAWA, Iraq — The Holy Synod of the Assyrian Church of the East issued a statement on Friday saying that Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Gewargis III Sliwa was released from the hospital following successful heart surgery.
Patriarch Sliwa sent a letter in February declaring his intent to step down from the Patriarchate for health reasons that made him unable to follow up on the administration of the Church properly.
In its Friday statement, the Holy Synod said that, “His Holiness, Patriarch Mar. Gewargis III, has undergone heart surgery at Evanston Hospital, Illinois, to treat the arrhythmia that His Holiness has been suffering from since he suffered a stroke in 2019.”
“His Holiness left the hospital the same day he had the surgery and is in good health at his brother’s home in Chicago, Illinois,” continued the statement. “There were no major complications, and doctors are reassured and continue to monitor his condition.”
The statement concluded, “We thank all the clergy and believers for their continued prayers for the safety of His Holiness, and you will be informed in the future, in the event of new developments.”