Pope’s greetings to new head of Syrian Orthodox Church

April 04, 2014 - Pope Francis has congratulated the new head of the Syrian Orthodox Church Ignatius Aphrem II Karim, on his election on March 31. In a message to the 48-year old Patriarch the Pope wrote, “ I gladly extend to you and to the clergy and faithful of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate my good wishes and prayerful solidarity, asking the Holy Spirit to bestow his abundant blessings upon your lofty ministry.” He wished that the Patriarch Aphrem II be a spiritual father for his people and an untiring builder of peace and justice, serving the common good and the good of the entire Middle East in today’s difficult circumstances. “It is important for all Christians to bear witness to the love and fellowship that binds us together, mindful of the prayer offered by our Lord at the Last Supper: that all may be one, so that the world may believe,” the Pope wrote. He expressed gratitude to God for the bonds of fraternity between the Catholic Church and the Syrian Orthodox Church, and hoped that their continuing friendship and dialogue may be further developed and deepened.
Patriarch Aphrem II replaces Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas, who died March 21 in a hospital in Germany at the age of 80. One of the world's oldest Christian sects, the Syrian Orthodox Church is headquartered in the village of Atshaneh northeast of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Aphrem’s official title is the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. The Syrian Orthodox Church, was founded in the year 452 after a schism with the bulk of the world's Christians. There are more than 4 million members, living in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq although there are also significant communities in Germany, Sweden and in the United States.