On Saturday, August 29th, 2020 The Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church for the Eastern United States hosted a Global Youth Virtual Spiritual Prayer Gathering through Via Zoom. By Surprise His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II joined our Spiritual Prayer Gathering towards the ending, His Holiness first extended his Apostolic blessings to all who joined, and then gave a speech about not losing our Hope in God. And that this is what distinguishes us as Christians, His Holiness mentioned that although we will suffer through many trials and tribulations we should thank God for all that we go through because this is what strengthens us as Christians and this is the promise we got from the Lord. His Holiness then concluded with a prayer for all that are suffering around the world and for the two kidnapped Bishops to return safely to us.
Also present with us were His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Alkhouri, His Eminence Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Bahhi and Very Rev. Fr. Augeen Alkhouri Nimat. His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak first welcomed their Eminences and thanked all who joined in harmony and in unity to pray for Lebanon, Al-Hassakeh and India. His Eminence Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis in Suryoyo first lead us with an opening prayer and then gave us a short speech about the struggles that are going on around the world, and no matter what happens to us as Christians we should not be weak but to strengthen ourselves and be close to God. Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Bahhi then gave a lecture in Arabic about “Hope in Christ” and His Eminence Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub gave a lecture in English about “A Good Hope.”
