Syriac Orthodox Church in the Netherlands celebrates milestones at Mor Ephrem Monastery
GLANE, The Netherlands — The Syriac Orthodox community in the Netherlands recently celebrated three significant occasions at the Mor Ephrem Monastery in Glane, the Netherlands, with the event streamed live on monastery’s official Facebook page.
The first celebration marked the 40th anniversary of Mor Ephrem Monastery, a foundational site for Syriac Orthodox faithful, as it was the first Syriac Orthodox monastery in Europe. The commemorative Mass was led by Bishop Mor Polycarpus Augin Aydin of the Syriac Orthodox Diocese of the Netherlands, joined by Mor Julius Hanna Aydin, Director of External Relations for the Syriac Orthodox Church in Germany, alongside numerous priests and deacons.
In addition to the anniversary, the Church honored the 19th memorial of Bishop Mor Julius Yeshu Çiçek’s passing. Known for his impactful leadership, Bishop Çiçek was instrumental in establishing the monastery’s presence, purchasing the property in 1981.
The community also celebrated the opening of a new hall dedicated to Bishop Çiçek, recognizing his enduring legacy. The property, originally owned by the Catholic Church, was converted into a Syriac Orthodox monastery on 7 July 1984, and has since served as the official diocesan headquarters.