On Sunday, December 7, 2025, His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Chamoun and in the presence of Rev. Fr. Joseph Shammas, celebrated the Holy Liturgy at St. Mark’s Cathedral on the Sunday of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
In his sermon, His Eminence reflected on three main lessons from the life of the Forerunner: that God can begin something new even when we think it is “too late”; that every baptized person has a calling to prepare the way for Christ in the hearts of others; and that true greatness is humility living in such a way that we can say with St. John, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
At the conclusion, special prayers and congratulations were offered to all who bear his name John, Youhanna, Hanna, Hanan, Jeannette, and all similar names asking the Lord to make them, like the Forerunner, strong in spirit, courageous in truth, and humble in heart.
