On August 5th 2018, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo at the conclusion of the SYGG 2018 which was held in New Jersey, USA.
Their Eminences Archbishops Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Patriarchal Vicar for the Eastern USA, Mor Teethose Yeldho, Archbishop of Malankara Archdiocese of North America, and Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Metropolitan of Mosul, Kirkuk and Kurdistan, assisted His Holiness during the Holy Qurobo.
In his sermon, His Holiness spoke about the theme of SYGG: “All things are lawful to me, but not all things are helpful” (I Corinthians 10: 23). He pointed out that the Suryoyo Youth gained good experiences from this SYGG 2018. He thanked the Lord for gathering the youth around their spiritual leaders and having spent time praying and meditating on the subjects related to the theme of the SYGG. His Holiness hoped that the youth will apply what they learned into their lives and take the correct decisions that build them and change their lives to the better. His Holiness invited the youth to choose what is good, helpful and edifying on the personal level, as well as in their families, societies, and what is advancing for the humanity in general. He expressed his joy to see the enthusiasm and eagerness of the youth to change their lives and their societies to the better. His Holiness pointed out that all need to believe in the potential of the youth and their use of their talents for the service of the church.
On the Transfiguration, His Holiness spoke about the fear of the disciples when they heard the Lord Jesus Christ speaking of his death. He needed to reassure them. He took His disciples to Mount Tabor and revealed part of His glory to them. His Holiness stressed that loosing hope results in fear and that every believer should constantly work for their salvation and their spiritual growth.
