His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Liturgy at St. Mark Cathedral in Teaneck, NJ. He was assisted by their Eminences Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Environs, Mor Titos Yeldo, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of Northern America, Mor Silvanus Ayub, Archbishop of Knanaya Archdiocese in America and Europe, and Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus.
His Holiness presided over the service of the Installation of His Eminence Jean Kawak as Patriarchal Vicar for the Archdiocese of the Eastern Unites States which included a procession where two archbishops escorted His Eminence Mor Dionysius among the people. Then the sustatikon, or the commendation letter, was read By Very Rev. Father Joseph Balli, Patriarchal Secretory, proclaiming Mor Dionysius Jean Kawak to be the Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar for the Eastern United States of America.
His Eminence Mor Dionysius Jean delivered a message where he thanked the Lord for this new flock entrusted to him and he thanked His Holiness for appointing him to this new position. His Eminence also presented his vision for the future of the Archdiocese, focusing on the service of the clergy, Mor Aphrem Center and the youth and their Syriac Christian upbringing.
