Arrival to the Khalil gate in the Holy Land

On May 4, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II arrived to the Khalil gate in the Holy Land.

His Holiness entered the city in a great procession. His Holiness walked in the midst of the acclamations of the faithful. He was received by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, and the monks, priests, deacons, and delegations from representatives of the Christian churches from the Holy Land.

Then, His Holiness entered the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where he kissed the Stone of Anointing and entered the tomb of the Lord Christ. He then prayed the service of the Holy Cross. Afterwards, His Holiness entered St. Nicodemus and St. Joseph church where prayed the special services for the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the saints. He blessed the people.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates, Mor Boutros Kassis, Archbishop of Aleppo and Environs, Mor Yacoub Babawi, Patriarchal Vicar for Monks Affairs and the Administration of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Christophoros Markose, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Very Rev. Raban Andrawos Bahhi, Director of Youth Department, and Very Rev. Raban Augeen Al Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, accompanied His Holiness during this visit.