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52nd Syriac Orthodox Church Convention 2016

July 21, 2016 was the opening of the 52nd Annual convention of the two Archdioceses of Eastern and Western USA. It started by meeting of the attended clergy of both Archdioceses, presided by the hosting Eastern Archdiocese Archbishop Mor Dionysius John Kawak, and Western Archdiocese archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, with His Eminence Mor Salwanos Boutros El-Nemeh, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Environs and His Grace Bishop Mor Maurice Amsih, Patriarchal Delegate for the Archdiocese of Al-Jazeerah and Euphrates, in attendance.

The clergy meeting started by opening prayer. Soon after, His Eminence Mor Selwanos Boutros El-Nemeh gave a spiritual reflection about the theme of the convention “and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” Acts 11: 26. Afterwards, they discussed and studied the agenda of the meeting.

In the same evening, all our beloved participants attended a great spiritual recital performed by Mother of God of Zunoro Sunday School children and Choir.

On Friday July 22nd and Saturday July 23rd, two lectures were given by Dr. George Kiraz and Dr. very Rev. George Yousif Al-Banna, about the Identity of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. Saturday evening was the Convention Gala party.

Sunday July 24th was blessed by the Holy Divine Liturgy, the culmination of the Syriac Orthodox Church Annual Convention held in Jacksonville, Florida. With the presence of His Eminences Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Archbishop patriarchal Vicar of the Eastern United States, and His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Archbishop patriarchal Vicar of the Western United States, His Eminences, Mor Selwanus Petros El-Nemeh, (Archbishop of Homs, Hama & Environs), and His Grace Mor Maurice Amsih, bishop patriarchal delegate for Jezeerah and Euphrates, celebrated the Holy Divine Liturgy.

During the Divine Liturgy H.E. Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan delivered a very remarkable sermon about the theme of the convention (and they were called Christians first in Antioch). He explained why the believers had been called after Christ “Christians” by the unbelievers, and why the faithful accepted this new Identity cheerfully, and how our people suffered through ages from continuous persecutions because of their faith and name, and how they diligently persisted in spreading the word of God everywhere they existed….

The Holy Liturgy was followed by laying the foundation for the new hall of the Mother of God Church. Clergy and parishioners went to the location of the Church, offered the supplication of St. Mary and performed a procession with the Holy Zunoro and all participants were blessed by it.

Then His Eminence Kawak accompanied by their Eminences and the attended priests held the prayer of foundation, giving the first signal to launch the construction of the hall building of the church on its premises, followed by the BBQ prepared by the ladies of the Church.