His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo on the occasion of Christmas at St. Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma, Damascus.

He was assisted by their Eminences Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar of the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, Mor Timotheos Matthew, Patriarchal Secretary for Indian Affairs, His Grace Bishop Mor George Kourieh, Dean of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya. His Grace Armash Nalbandian, Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Damascus also participated in the Holy Qurobo.

In his sermon, His Holiness spoke about the hope that Christ’s birth brought to the entire humanity. He also spoke of the incarnation of the Son of God as a language of love and an expression of the divine nature. Furthermore, he remarked that the current events that Christians are witnessing resemble the persecution that the Lord experienced when He was born and was denied a place to host Him and His earthly family. He encouraged the faithful to hold firm to their faith and their Church, hoping that the sorrowful events witnessed over the past few years will end soon.

After the Holy Qurobo, His Holiness received groups and individuals who offered their congratulatory wishes on the occasion of Christmas.