On July 28th, 2018, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II accompanied by their Eminences Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Patriarchal Vicar for the Eastern USA, Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Patriarchal Vicar for the Western USA, Mor Dioscorus Benjamin Atas, Patriarchal Vicar in Sweden, Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Bekaa, and Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Al-Jazeerah paid a visit to St. Athanasius Church in Tampa. During the visit, His Holiness inaugurated a Sayfo Monument in commemoration of the Syriac Genocide, then, a special teshmeshto (service) for the martyrs and prayer for all martyrs conducted by His Holiness. The clergy and the Board members of the parish of St. Athanasius were present for the Inauguration.
In the presence of their Eminences Archbishops and the clergy and faithful from St. Athanasius Church in Tampa, His Holiness conducted a groundbreaking ceremony at the location of the new hall.
In the afternoon, Rev. Fr. Charbel Bcheiry delivered a lecture on Mor Severus on the occasion of the 1500th Jubilee of his exile to Egypt. After the lecture, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II presided over Evening (ramsho) prayer where their Eminences, the clergy of both Archdioceses, and faithful, attended the prayer at Mor Athanasius Church in Tampa – USA.
