The first historical Apostolic visit of His Holiness Mor Igantius Aphrem II was to the newly established Archdiocese of Central America on November 5th-19th. His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak accompanied His Holiness our Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II at his first visit to Guatemala. The Patriarchal delegation was also formed by Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Mor Selwanos Boutros Al-Nehmeh, and Mor Theethose Yeldo. During his Apostolic visit His Holiness was received by His Excellency Mr. Jimmy Morales, the president of Guatemala. His Holiness was then announced the message of peace by His Excellency Mr. Elder Jesus Suchite, the Minister of Culture in Guatemala. His Holiness was declared also as a special guest by His Excellency Mr. Louis Pineda the Mayor of Guatemala City. He consecrated four churches and ordained eleven new priests for the service of our community there. They celebrated the Holy Liturgy in the most remote and poor region confirming the newly established Syriac Orthodox communities in their faith and welcoming them in to the Holy Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. The Archbishop of Central America Mor Yacoub Eduardo was accepted in to our church at the time of the blessed Memory His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas in March 6th, 2013. The Archdiocese of Central America has approximately 500,000 faithful members.
