JERUSALEM (AsiaNews): On May 4, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited the Holy Land. It was the the first visit to Jerusalem by a Syriac Orthodox patriarch since the Six-Day War in 1967.
Accompanied by a delegation of bishops and priests, Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem took part in a procession to the Monastery of St. Mark in Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by monks, priests and deacons, and where he led the prayer and blessed the assembled faithful.
The patriarch then visited Jaffa Gate in the Old City and was received by representatives of the various Christian Churches in the Holy Land, including Archbishop Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub of Jerusalem, Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Vicar of the Holy Land and Jordan, who delivered a speech welcoming the entire delegation.
Archbishop Yakoub stressed the significance of the patriarch’s visit to Jerusalem, calling it a historic occasion.
Afterwards, Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem visited the Church of the Resurrection [Church of the Holy Sepulchre], where he offered prayers at the tomb of Christ, as well as the Church of Ss. Nicodemus and Joseph, where he led the prayer and blessed the faithful.
