His Beatitude Patriarch John X presided over the Feast of the Dormition of Our Lady in the Patriarchal Maryamiyah Cathedral in Damascus.
The service began with the festive vespers prayer and the Blessing of the Five Loaves, followed by the Matins prayer and the Divine Liturgy.
His Beatitude was assisted in the service by Bishop Moussa (al-Khoury) and Bishop Youhanna (Batach), with the participation of the Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Philip Vasilitsevo, Representative of the Russian Patriarch Kirill to the Patriarch of Antioch, along with several priests and deacons.
The head of the consular office at the Greek Embassy in Syria, Mrs. Anna Kramarido, attended the service.
In his homily, His Beatitude explained the meanings of the festive epistle and stressed the importance of having the mind of Christ, which is summed up in humility and obedience, according to the Apostle Paul. His Beatitude emphasized that the Most Holy Virgin Mary, whom we celebrate today, hears our petitions and always intercedes for us with the Lord. Hence, we ought to hear her call for us to acquire the mind of her Son, Jesus, the Savior of the world. Likewise, His Beatitude wished everyone a blessed feast through the intercession of the Mother of God, Mary.
After the Small Entrance, Patriarch John X elevated the deacon Pavlus Orduluoğlu to the rank of archdeacon in the Antiochian See.
It should be noted that the archdeacon Paul is from the city of Antioch, in the district of Alexandretta, Turkey, affiliated with the Patriarchate of Antioch. Father Paul has completed his theological studies at the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, obtained a master’s degree in theology from the University of Thessaloniki in Greece, and is currently serving at the patriarchal headquarters in Damascus.
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Antioch Patriarchate بطريركية أنطاكية وسائر المشرق للروم الأرثوذكس