Consecration of St. Antonios Church

On September 27, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II consecrated St. Antonios Church at St. Antonios Monastery in Sadad.

During the consecration, His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Patriarchal Advisor, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates, Mor Boutros Kassis, Archbishop of Aleppo and Environs, Mor Yacoub Babawi, Patriarchal Vicar for the Affairs of Monks and the Administration of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Augeen Al Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, Bishop Mor Iwannis Boulos Al-Souqi, and Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Damascus Armash Nalbandian.

The prayers of the Qudosho were followed by the ointment with Chrism on the altar and the walls of the church, according to the rites of our Syriac Orthodox Church.

His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury thanked His Holiness for the great blessing to inaugurate the monastery and consecrate the church in Sadad. He spoke about the different stages of the construction of the monastery as well as the people who contributed to its edification, especially mentioning the late Archbishop Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, of blessed memory.

His Holiness then spoke in brief about the monastery in Sadad and its role in becoming an oasis for those who seek spiritual retreats. He also hoped that it will be able to offer different services to the people of Sadad as well as the neighboring villages.