Sixth Suryoyo Youth Global Gathering begins in Lebanon

ATCHANEH, Lebanon — In the presence of Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, the Sixth Suryoyo Youth Global Gathering (SYGG) began on Wednesday at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

The SYGG was organized by the Suryoyo Patriarchal Youth Department (SPYD) under the auspices of the Patriarch and will last from 20–25 July 2022. More than 300 young men and women from around the world participated.

The SYGG began with a speech delivered by Patriarch Aphrem II in which he welcomed the youth from various Syriac dioceses around the world and wished them to have an enjoyable and useful time.

The Patriarch hoped that the youth would benefit from the lectures of the meeting and participate in the SYGG missionary work, which is a special feature of this year’s gathering.

He also hoped that the youth will receive blessings and carry the message of the Church and strengthen their relationship with it. The Patriarch added that the Church is a mother who needs her children, and whose children need her. The Church is not complete without the youth, who are her heart, said the Patriarch. 

He also encouraged the attendees to deepen their relationship with the Church and learn about its history and faith. The Patriarch stated that this gathering is an opportunity to interact, especially with the charity work that they will participate in, indicating that this will be a new experience which will spiritually impress the participants and bring them closer to the reality of other people’s lives and thus they will become true disciples of Christ.

Mor Anthimos Jack Yacoub, who welcomed the youth thanking the Lord for His grace and for the opportunity to meet during this 6th SYGG. He assured the youth that the Church will continue to support them and they should not be afraid to go forth and proclaim the gospel, pointing to the importance of discovering the Church’s heritage, history, spiritual richness, and great intellectual legacy.

Mor Anthimos Jack Yacoub called on all the youth to fulfill the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ to be united and grow in love and faith, hoping that they will enrich their spiritual experience in the gathering and transmit it to their homes and parishes. ‎