At this ancient church rooted in the depth of history, at the Church of St. George in the region of Sarılar, His Beatitude Patriarch John X arrived on a paternal and pastoral visit with the accompanying delegation. HE Bishop Constantine Kayal, Abbot of the Prophet Elias Patriarchal Monastery celebrated the Divine Liturgy for Holy Saturday together with parish Gabriel Koshoğlu, Yohanna Papasoğlu. His Beatitude was also present together with HE Bishop Arsenios Dahdal, and Rev. Archimandrites George Yacoub and Yacoub Khalil, as well as rev. Frs. Dimitri Doğum, Parish Priest of Antioch and Jean Delollar, Parish Priest of Antioch, the heads of the associations in the parishes of Antioch,and a large number of faithful.
After the service for Holy Saturday, His Beatitude delivered the following spiritual speech: “We thank the Lord Who gave us the grace to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the churchyard. The earthquake occurred, destroying our churches and our families’ homes. We suffered great loss and pain, but you, children of Sarılar, have removed this pain through your solid faith, also the faith of your families and children.
His Beatitude added: “We came to express our solidarity with you and to convey the love of your brethren all over the Antiochian See and in the various dioceses. Therefore, we ask the Lord to protect you, strengthen you, and grant you health and patience. You have given the whole world an important testimony of humanity, love and solidarity.”
His beatitude concluded: “My beloved ones, we do not fear because the Lord is with us, so hold on to your faith so that your days may be full of good and love.”
After the Liturgy, His Beatitude met with the faithful, listening to life testimonies that narrate the story of pain grafted with hope. He inspected around the church and noted the destruction. He also granted retired parish priest, Father Paul Bakhshij a special visit at home.
Earlier, the parishioners had prepared a general reception for His Beatitude at the town square and everyone marched in a crowd procession to the Church of St. George while chanting hymns.