Syriac Orthodox Church consecrates two more diaspora Churches in Sweden and Germany

SWEDEN/GERMANY — On August 16, the Church of the Virgin Mary in Eskilstuna, Sweden, was officially consecrated, a project made possible through the efforts of local parishioners. The ceremony was led by Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II. Bishops, priests, and deacons of the Swedish dioceses participated in the consecration ceremony. 

The new church, whose foundation stone was laid in 2018, is the first Syriac Orthodox parish in the city and will serve around six hundred faithful. The modern, fully equipped church will host a range of activities for youth, children, and other members of the community.  

The consecration celebration was carried out in full, with food distributed to attendees. The ceremony was broadcast live on the satellite channels Suryoyo Sat and Suroyo TV via their Facebook pages.

In Dietzenbach, near Frankfurt am Main, Germany, another church serving the Syriac Orthodox community was consecrated. The building, a former German Catholic church that had been closed for many years, was purchased and transferred to the Syriac Orthodox Church. The church was built twenty-nine years ago, and some Muslims had intended to convert it into a mosque. However, it was later closed due to a declining number of Catholic parishioners. The building was subsequently purchased by the Syriac Orthodox Church, reopened, and consecrated under the name Church of the Virgin Mary. 

According to Bilant Dursun, head of the church council, and Mzizah News correspondent Gabro Kilic, the celebrations continued for three consecutive days, featuring special thanksgiving prayers throughout. 

The consecration liturgy of the church was presided over by bishops Mor Philoxenos Matthias Nayis (Germany) and Mor Polycarpus Augin Aydin (Netherlands), with the participation of foreign relations bishop Mor Julius Hanna Aydin and numerous parish priests and deacons. 

The mayor of Dietzenbach attended the ceremonies, alongside representatives from the Catholic and Evangelical churches, as well as a large number of faithful. 

On the final day of the celebrations, the three bishops ordained four deacons to the rank of Sub-deacon, eleven readers, and ten deaconesses to serve the Church of the Virgin Mary. The church complex features two large halls, hospitality facilities, a garden, and a parking lot.