His beatitude John X at Maarret Saidnaya

2016-07-10

His beatitude John X at Maarret Saidnaya
July 10 – 2016
His beatitude John X the patriarch of Antioch and the entire east celebrated the Divine Liturgy on July 10, 2016 in the orthodox church of St. Elias at Maarret Saydnaya, the suburb of Damascus (Reef of Damascus) with the participation of the following bishops:
• His eminence bishop Mousa AlKhoury.
• His eminence bishop Luka Alkhoury.
• His eminence bishop Nicolas Baalbeky
• His eminence Ephraim Maalouli with a group of the fathers, priests, and deacons.

His beatitude was received by the parishioners and their priest Yusef Faraj holding the Holy Gospel, at the entrance of the church. Upon reaching the place, his beatitude was received by the music of the scouts, who sang the national anthem accompanied by the applauses of the people. His eminence archbishop Gerjis Kouriyeh the metropolitan of the Syrian church was present too. 
In the sermon his beatitude expressed his joy and happiness for being among the faithful of the town at Maarret Saydnaya. He emphasized the deep ties that gather the children of the Antiochian church, and prayed for the peace in Syria and the whole east.
After the prayer, his beatitude met with the parishioners at the hall of the church