Syriac Catholic Patriarch Younan visits Turkey

ISTANBUL, Turkey — On Wednesday, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan and a delegation of metropolitans accompanying him visited Turkey and met with the Syriac parish of Istanbul.

The Patriarch was accompanied by a number of eminent Bishops from Antioch  and were received by Patriarchal Vicar in Turkey Archbishop Orhan Şanlı, and former Patriarchal Vicar in Turkey Archbishop Youssef Sagh, and a large group of parishioners

In a speech addressed to the crowd, Patriarch Younan affirmed that:

“We are proud of you because you have preserved the faith. And we are proud that you adhere to your Syriac identity and your ancient Syriac heritage. We are proud of you because you can raise your children despite all the difficulties and challenges of contemporary life.”

The Patriarch also received Mor Philexinos Youssef Cetin, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Vicar in Istanbul.

The Patriarch expressed his pleasure at the arrival of Bishop Mor Philexinos Youssef Cetin in Turkey, praising his pioneering stances in raising the Syriac flag and defending the causes of the Syriac people.

Patriarch Younan thanked the Metropolitan for his visit, welcome, and love, praising his good service and patronage to the Syriac Orthodox Church in Istanbul under the current circumstances and challenges.

The Patriarch wished the Metropolitan continued success for the good of his Church and recalled with pride the strong fraternal relationship that unites him with his brother Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.