August 1, 2014

The Prelate of Peria (Syria), briefs His Holiness Aram I on his pastoral visit

30 July 2014. As reported last week, Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, accompanied by clergy and the lay leadership of the community in Syria, visited the coastal towns where many families have sought refuge from the internal fighting. The Archbishop celebrated the liturgy in Tartous, Banias and Safita, organized meetings with the community, registered the displaced families and distributed material aid. The delegation then went to Latakia and met with the Church Council, the Board of the School and the Committees for Humanitarian Assistance.

In the region of Kessab, their last destination, they consecrated the restored altar of St. Mary’s Church in Karaduran village, desecrated by the rebels when they briefly occupied Kessab. On Sunday, 27 July, which was the Feast of Transfiguration, the Archbishop celebrated the Holy Liturgy, performed the ceremony of the blessing of the water and held a special memorial for the victims of the civil war. He concluded with special prayers of Thanksgiving for the return of the population to their homes in Kessab.

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