HOLY LAND Syrian Orthodox Patriarch visited Jerusalem after 60 years

On May 4, Ignacio Efrén II met with the representatives of the Christian Churches. This is the first visit by a patriarch of the Orthodox Church since the 1967 Six-Day War. For Archbishop Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, the region’s patriarchal vicar, it is a historic circumstance.

Jerusalem () – On May 4, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Ingazio Efrem II Karim visited the Holy Land for the first time in 60 years. In fact, it is the first visit to Jerusalem by a patriarch of the Orthodox Church since the 1967 Six-Day War.

Accompanied by a delegation of bishops and priests, the patriarch took part in a procession at the Monastery of San Marco in Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by monks, priests and deacons, led prayers and blessed the assembled faithful.

He then visited the Jaffa Gate in the Old City and met with representatives of the Christian Churches of the Holy Land, including the Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, Archbishop Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, who delivered a speech of Welcome to the entire delegation. The prelate highlighted the importance of the patriarch’s visit to Jerusalem, stating that it was a historic occasion.

Patriarch Ignacio Efrem II then went to the Church of the Resurrection and prayed before the tomb of Christ, and to the Church of Saints Nicodemus and Joseph, where he led the prayer and blessed the faithful.