At the invitation of His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, senior deacons of the local New Jersey parishes joined the clergy at Mor Aphrem Center for an evening dedicated to the role of deacons on the occasion of St. Stephen’s feast day.The evening started with clergy and deacons praying the Soutro prayer together in St. Aphrem Chapel. After which, His Eminence gave a short speech on the meaning and role of deacons in the church – that we all should look to Our Lord Jesus Christ, and saints like St. Stephen as examples of how to live our lives in the service of the Church.
Following the prayer service, the deacons were invited to a dinner in the Mor Aphrem Center. During the meal and fellowship a new deacon committee was formed to improve the training of young deacons in the traditions of the church.
His Eminence took the opportunity to thank all deacons of the Archdiocese for their dedication and commitment serving the Holy Church, and for following in the footsteps of St. Stephen, the head of the deacons. The evening concluded by His Eminence congratulating the senior deacons on the Birth of our Lord (Christmas), New Years, the Baptism of our Lord (Denho), and the Feast of St. Stephen.
