The Syrian Orthodox Church

By H.H. MOR IGNATIUS YACOUB III (1980+)

ITS PRESENT SITUATION (prior to 1980s)

It is clear, from what we have explained, that the Syrian Orthodox Church is the most ancient one in the whole of Christendom and that its Patriarch of Antioch once ruled over the entire Christian East including various nations of different nationalities and languages and had outstanding accomplishments in many fields by the efforts of the inspired leadership provided by its patriarchs, even when they had to pass through trials and persecutions. It is clear also that the Church in the Middle East met with hard circumstances, which resulted in the Emigration of its children in thousands to North and South America and to Europe, especially to Germany, Sweden, France, and Australia. Hence the position of its Patriarchate was disturbed by moving from one country to another. At last Damascus became the Headquarters. Such was also the case with its Archdioceses. Some of them ceased and new ones were established in other countries. By the Grace of God, we are the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church. We have at present about two and a half million followers, most of whom are in India and the rest are in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Europe and north and South America. We have also a Catholicos in India whom we consecrated in 1964 whose title is the "Catholicos of the East". There are also 22 Archdioceses in the Middle East, India and North America. In India we have many missions which preach the Gospel among the Heathen. At present, many of our followers are university graduates and are highly educated. Our boys and girls in the Middle East receive their primary and secondary education in our own schools and continue their higher study either in government or in Western private colleges. But in India we have our own colleges. We have two major theological Schools to educate our clergy; one of them is in Lebanon and the other in India. Recently we have started a few Social Welfare institutions. We are very glad to say that we have received some aid from the Evangelical Churches in Germany. Our vision of the fraternity of Christendom and of all mankind led us in 1960 to join the World Council of Churches which we consider a hopeful sign for the future of Christianity and the mankind at large. Although the number of the followers of our Church is reduced due to the dreadful calamities and severe persecutions which befell our Church, we are very proud of our Church , of its Syriac (Aramaic) language which is the mother tongue of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of its many activities. We are also proud that we are the descendents of the Martyrs.

© 1995 - 2008 Syrian Orthodox Church

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