SYRIA: Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan celebrates Divine Liturgy in Zalin (Qamishli), ordains priest for local Mor Fetrus and Mor Faulus Church

ZALIN, Syria – On 10th December, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan visited Zalin (Qamishli) in Syria, on a six-day visit that will include many regions in North and East Syria. On December 11, Mor Ignatius Yawsef Younan celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Zalin (Qamishli), at St Peter and Paul Church of the Syriac Catholic community in the city.

During the Divine Liturgy, the ceremony of ordaining deacon Assi Mtanos Assi as a priest was held, in the presence of Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Gozarto and Euphrates His Eminence Mor Maurice Amsih, and a large number of priests, deacons, choirs and scouts from different denominations.

During his sermon, the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Yawsef Younan welcomed the attendees and expressed his joy to visit the Gozarto (Al-Jazira) Region. The Patriarch called on believers to cling to their homeland, because Syria has always been the land of Syriacs despite the current harsh circumstances.

The newly-ordained priest delivered a speech in which he expressed his happiness on this great day and wished that the Lord would give him strength and wisdom in his priestly mission. After the Liturgy, the Patriarch and new priest headed to the church hall to converse with the believers and receive congratulations.

The ordination was broadcasted live by Syriac TV station Suroyo TV and Syriac radio Suroyo FM.

On December 12, the Patriarch Younan presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Our Lady of Ascension in Hasakah and met with the faithful in the Hasakah diocese residence.