Syriac Orthodox churches in Sweden celebrate Feast of the Cross with Divine Liturgies and ordination of deacons and deaconesses

STOCKHOLM — Syriac Orthodox churches in Sweden celebrated the Feast of the Cross by holding Divine Liturgies across various locations.

Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Sweden and Scandinavia Mor Youhanon Lahdo presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Jacob of Nisinis Church in Hovsjö, Södertälje. Meanwhile, Patriarchal Vicar in Sweden, Archbishop Mor Dioscorus Benjamin Atash led the Mass at the Church of Mor Ephrem in the Geneta neighborhood, also in Södertälje.

The liturgies, attended by priests, deacons, deaconesses, and a large gathering of believers, featured prayers, hymns, and the lighting of fires in the church courtyards to mark the occasion.

In Jakobsberg, St. Jacob Church celebrated the Feast of the Cross with a special ordination ceremony led by Archbishop Atash. During the service, 20 new deacons and readers were ordained according to the Holy Syriac Antiochian Rite.

The ordination was attended by Monk Tadaris Saado, priest of the Church of Our Lady in Stockholm Jan Hibbo, Father Yakub Hadaya, 30 deacons and deaconesses, and over 200 local families.

In his sermon, Archbishop Atash emphasized the vital role of youth in the Church, highlighting the importance of guiding and nurturing them to ensure the Church’s future strength.