The Syrian Orthodox Church

Current Situation

Further to the lecture of H.H. MOR IGNATIUS YACOUB III that forms the major portion of our Web Site, we felt it prudent to publish a brief that would somehow describe the Syrian Orthodox Church’s status from the time of that lecture to date: -

 On 25^th June 1980 departed this earthly life to the heavenly chamber in Damascus Syria H.H. MOR IGNATIUS YACOUB III H.H.’s body was placed in special place within the altar of Mor Georgeos Cathedral in Damascus - Syria.

1. On 11^th July 1980 the Holy Synod of Antioch elected H.E. Mor Severius Zakka Iwas, Archbishop of Baghdad and Basra then, as Patriarch of Antioch. On 14^th September, which coincides the Holy Cross Feast, the celebrations for the installation of H.H. MORAN MOR IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS on the Holy See of Antioch took place in Damascus - Syria.
2. H.H. MORAN MOR IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS , and from the time of his installation on the See of Antioch, took a special interest in the Theological Seminary, that graduated several of the Monks who are currently serving the Holy Syrian Orthodox Church all over the world. Further, H.H. encouraged females to join the Church as Nuns, thus establishing "The Nuns of Mor Yacoub Burd’ono}. H.H. established the Monastery of St. Ephraim, and St. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral, Youth Centre, all were built on the property that was bought by H.H. in Ma'arat Saydnaya near Damascus - Syria following his installation on the See of Antioch.
3. In addition to the old Monasteries owned and run by the Syrian Orthodox Church, the following Monasteries were either bought or built by the Syrian Orthodox Communities in the different areas, the most famous of those newly bought or built are: -

 IN SYRIA

1. The Monastery of Mor Ephraim the Syriac - Ma'arat Saydnaya, Syria
2. The Syriac Monastery - Kasab - Syria
3. The repurchase the ruins of our old Monastery {Tal’ada} near Aleppo - Syria
4. The Monastery of Our Lady Virgin Mary - Tal El-Wardyat - Hasaka - Syria.

 IN LEBANON

1. Mor Yacoub Burd’ono Convent for Nuns, Atshaneh, Bikfaya - Lebanon. Another branch for Mor Yacoub Burd’ono’s Nuns has recently been established in Baghdad - Iraq
2. The Monastery of Mor Gabrielle - Ajltoun - Lebanon

 IN EUROPE

1. Mor Ephraim the Syriac Monastery - Holland
2. Mor Yacoub of Srough Monastery - Germany
3. Mor Awgen Monastery - Switzerland

In addition to the parishes mentioned in H.H. MOR IGNATIUS YACOUB III’s lecture, the following parishes were established since: -  

1. The Patriarchal Vicariate of the Eastern United States
2. The Patriarchal Vicariate of the Western United States
3. The Patriarchal Vicariate of Canada
4. The Patriarchal Vicariate of Sweden
5. The Patriarchal Vicariate of Germany
6. The Patriarchal Vicariate of Biq’a - Zahleh - Lebanon
7. The Patriarchal Vicariate of Australia and New Zealand

 The Syrian Orthodox Church’s celebrations: -  

In appreciation and commemoration to our great fathers, forefathers and Church’s great scholars, poets, the Syrian Orthodox Church celebrated the following historic occasions: - 

1. In the year 1973 the 1600 Anniversary of the departure of our Great Syriac Poet Mor Ephraim who departed this earthly life to the heavenly chambers on 9^th June 373.
2. In the year 1978 the 1400^th Anniversary of the departure from this earthly life to the heavenly chambers of Mor Yacoub Burd’ono who departed this earthly life to the heavenly chambers on 30^th July 578.
3. In the year 1982 the 50^th Anniversary of the departure of The Beatitude H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Elias the third who departed this earthly life to the heavenly chambers on 13^th February 1932.
4. In the year 1986 the 700^th Anniversary of the departure of Mapheryono the great Scholar Mor Gregoryous Youhanon Bar Hebrew who departed this earthly life to the heavenly chambers on 30^th July 1286.
5. In the year 1999 the 800^th Anniversary of the departure of Mor Michael Rabo {The Great} who departed this earthly life to the heavenly chambers on 7^th November 1199.
6. In the year 2000 the 1500^th Anniversary of the birth of Mor Yacoub Burd’ono and the Syriac Empress Theodore {The daughter of the priest of Mabough} who became a Byzantine Empress {527-548}.  
7. As H.H. The Patriarch is the spiritual father of all the Syrian Orthodox Church’s members all over the world, and the visits conducted by H.H. to the different parishes around the world would become an integral part of the Syrian Orthodox Church’s history, such visits, and at the same time play an important role in strengthening the community members faith and beliefs, thus encouraging those faithful to lead a divine spiritual lives, working in line and adhering to the Divine Commandments, H.H. MORAN MOR IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS conducted several visits to the Syrian Orthodox Parishes in the East and the Diaspora. 
8. The Holy Syrian Orthodox Church, with God the Almighty’s care and love, joined by the hard work of H.H. MORAN MOR IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS, the Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, and all the zealous faithful Syriac community members, is marching with blessed moves to glorify the name of God the Almighty.  

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