On Friday, October 13, 2023 His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak accompanied by deacon Joseph Shammas, attended the inauguration of Agora University’s new headquarters building in Burke, VA.
Agora University is the first Oriental Orthodox University with US academic accreditation in the world. His Eminence serves on the university’s Advisory Board. The inauguration also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the university.
We currently have three deacons from the Archdiocese of the Eastern US studying at Agora, who are candidates for Masters of Theological Studies.
His Eminence opened the event with a prayer asking God to bless the University, to be a beacon of His Light, spreading the apostolic faith which we received from the Lord.
In his speech, he recognized that Agora University is critical for us in preserving our ancient Antiochian Syriac Orthodox faith which we share with our sister Coptic, Armenian and Ethiopian traditions. His Eminence thanked God for our diversity within Oriental Orthodoxy while being witnesses, expressing unity, in the truth faith.
The inauguration was also attended by: His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America, and His Grace Bishop Angelos, General Bishop, Northern Shoubra, Cairo, who was representing His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
and is a member of the university Advisory Board.
