Syriac Orthodox Church Holy Synod Sep 10-14 in Lebanon

[Suryoyutho]

All our bishops have gathered for the Holy Synod of the Church which takes place from today to Friday in Lebanon.

The Patriarchate might be moved from Syria to Lebanon or Germany as well Farther and farther away from Tur Abdin in southeast Turkey (or Antioch) where it should be.

[kijabeboy03]

I know the Syriac Orthodox Church in Turkey has its issues, but why is it not an option for the relocation of the Antioch Patriarchate? Relatively speaking its much more stable than Lebanon after all, especially if Syria completely falls apart...

[dzheremi]

Aren't there legal issues involved with "foreigners" owning land in Turkey? I dimly remember something like that being used against Mor Gabriel monastery in Turkey, as the Syriacs are considered "indigenous foreigners", whatever that means. I'm afraid I wore out my "Two-Faced Liar-English Dictionary" trying to decode the latest statements of the new Egyptian president... 

[minasoliman]

Please let us know any updates of the Holy Synod's meeting.

[Suryoyutho]

[Suryoyutho]

Lebanese President H.E Michel Suleiman Receives His Holiness Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatuius Zakka I Iwas and the Holy Synod Members of Syriac orthodox Church at the presidential palace in Baabda.

[Suryoyutho]

I know the Syriac Orthodox Church in Turkey has its issues, but why is it not an option for the relocation of the Antioch Patriarchate? Relatively speaking its much more stable than Lebanon after all, especially if Syria completely falls apart...

Looks like they "want" to...

Turkey has rolled into action to bring the Syriac Orthodox and Catholic Patriarchates in Syria and Lebanon back into the country, according to a Syriac Catholic official who called for the resolution of more immediate and pressing problems first.

I think I read recently that the Catholics might actually return but I don't know how much trust there is now with Turkey from our Patriarchates side.

[kijabeboy03]

Well of course trust is an issue :-), but given the other options on the Patriarchate's canonical territory (Syria, Lebanon, Iraq) it seems like the best of the lot...though I suppose they could check with Jordan or Israel too?

I know the Syriac Orthodox Church in Turkey has its issues, but why is it not an option for the relocation of the Antioch Patriarchate? Relatively speaking its much more stable than Lebanon after all, especially if Syria completely falls apart...

Looks like they "want" to...

Turkey has rolled into action to bring the Syriac Orthodox and Catholic Patriarchates in Syria and Lebanon back into the country, according to a Syriac Catholic official who called for the resolution of more immediate and pressing problems first.

I think I read recently that the Catholics might actually return but I don't know how much trust there is now with Turkey from our Patriarchates side.

[Suryoyutho]

Well of course trust is an issue :-), but given the other options on the Patriarchate's canonical territory (Syria, Lebanon, Iraq) it seems like the best of the lot...though I suppose they could check with Jordan or Israel too?

I know the Syriac Orthodox Church in Turkey has its issues, but why is it not an option for the relocation of the Antioch Patriarchate? Relatively speaking its much more stable than Lebanon after all, especially if Syria completely falls apart...

Looks like they "want" to...

Turkey has rolled into action to bring the Syriac Orthodox and Catholic Patriarchates in Syria and Lebanon back into the country, according to a Syriac Catholic official who called for the resolution of more immediate and pressing problems first.

I think I read recently that the Catholics might actually return but I don't know how much trust there is now with Turkey from our Patriarchates side.

I believe there are too few Syriacs in those places. Lebanon and Syria have the most Syriacs in that area.

[Suryoyutho]

The first bit of news: http://www.syrian-orthodox.com/readnews.php?id=1360

[mabsoota]

how is the health of your patriarch?
we pray for him, and as i have met someone who has met him, i feel like we are almost good friends!
may God preserve him and increase his blessing and give courage to all your clergy and all who are living through these difficult times.

[Suryoyutho]

how is the health of your patriarch?
we pray for him, and as i have met someone who has met him, i feel like we are almost good friends!
may God preserve him and increase his blessing and give courage to all your clergy and all who are living through these difficult times.

According to reports he had a successful surgery in Germany recently and just the other day (Sep 14) was his 32nd enthronement year. He is turning 80 quite soon though so...

Thank you and we pray for you and your upcoming patriarchal election as well.

[mabsoota]

thank you, we appreciate your prayers
 

[Suryoyutho]

The Synod is over but H.H. Pope Benedict XVI met H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas in his visit to Lebanon. They discussed ecumenical matters and the Christians difficult situation in the middle east.

[minasoliman]

Did they decide to change the patriarchal residence?

[Suryoyutho]

Did they decide to change the patriarchal residence?

Haven't heard/read anything about that yet. Maybe they're still waiting to see how things turn out.

An article from the Holy Synod:

The Holy Synod held its meeting at St. Jacob Baradaeus monastery in Atchaneh - Bekfayya, Lebanon from September 10 - 14, 2012. It was headed by His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka 1, Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and the supreme Head of the universal Syriac Orthodox Church. The Holy Synod started with opening prayers and supplications to God Who blessed and eased the assembly of the Synod in Atchaneh. It is the second time the Holy Synod is being convened in Atchaneh. The first one was in September of 1971.

The Synod was attended by their Eminences the Metropolitans of the holy See of Antioch from all over the world. They discussed the situation of the church in general and in the Middle East in particular specially in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, those countries that are facing turbulent times. They prayed for them to have peace and tranquility among all people from all denominations, sects, religions, and ethnicities. They also asked the Lord to have mercy on the souls of all who perished in this conflict and for the speedy recovery of all the wounded, and for reunion of all refugees and sufferers.

The Fathers, members of the Holy Synod, stressed that the Middle East countries are our countries which we are proud of its sacred land and soil. In it our Lord Jesus Christ was born and lived, as well as our forefather long time ago where they established the first civilization in the world and we share nowadays our life and destiny with our brethren. We regret the chaos and troubles marring this land causing the endangerment of life of people, disrespect to their dignity, desecration to their worshipping homes and their religious, social, and national institutions.

It greatly pains the Fathers what is happening in our beloved Syria these days, the country that carries our name, civilization, traditions, and embraces our Holy See of Antioch. They pray the situation will become calm and peace will spread among people. From the position of responsibility, the Fathers call upon all sides to stop the violence, the language of weaponry, killings, and infringements of all kinds. They call for a peaceful dialogue which is the base of every reform or solution to the present crisis. In this regard, they want to emphasize that the sole official spokesman for our church is the Holy Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch headed by His Holiness, our Patriarch. He represents our church and our people at the local, regional, and international arenas, albeit all over the world.

The holy Fathers expressed their confidence that the people of good conscience and goodwill can best offer their prayers and supplications to God to lessen the burden of these difficult times on the people, asking Him for safe return of all refugees to their homes, assuring that immigration is a murderous bleeding which abolishes our personality, threatens our existence in the land of our forefathers, and destroys our esteemed traditions.

The Fathers discussed the agenda of the meeting which included: The present situation of the church in the Middle East and in India, our Archdioceses worldwide, our role in the ecumenical movement, the Easter date, the role of the laity in the service of the church, and other matters serving people and countries. They concluded the Holy Synod urging the faithful to endure and take refuge in God because the requests of the faithful will be answered by heaven. They ask, in the beginning and the end, to take the path of the word and dialogue as a principle which leads us to the safe haven, so that whoever works for peace will be rewarded by God Who said: Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God." (Mathew 5:9)

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