Condolence letter on Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas (1933-2014)
Today, 21 March 2014, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, passed away at a hospital in Germany at the age of 81 (1933-2014). The WCA learnt with profound sadness about this news and sent the church leadership a condolence letter in Aramaic.
Click here to download the letter in Aramaic.
On 21 March 2014, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) sent a letter of condolence in Aramaic addressed to the Holy Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, the clergy and the pious faithful, on the passing of His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.
The WCA expressed great sorrow about the loss of this great leader, who served his flock as Patriarch since 1980, and led the Syriac Orthodox community through various crises in the homelands, particularly in Turkey, Iraq and Syria. Our conversations and cooperation with His Holiness gave the WCA, in addition to his blessings, much strength and inspiration to continue serving the Aramean people.
In due honor of the 34-year long services to the Aramean (Syriac) people by the late Patriarch, we also produced this short video in his memory. We sincerely admired and loved His Holiness, and we will always remember him as a righteous shepherd.
Click here for a Biography of the late Patriarch prepared by John Philip Kottapparambil from India.
February 2013 in Aatchane, Lebanon: a senior delegation of the WCA and its Member Federations visits His Holiness to discuss the issue of Syria's Aramean refugees and internally displaced people.
May 2013 in Aatchane, Lebanon: Mr. Johny Messo (WCA President), with His Holiness and Archbishops of the Syriac Orthodox Church after he attended an International Conference held by the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches in Beirut.
August 2009 at the St. Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate in Saidnaya (Damascus), Syria: Mr. Johny Messo (WCA President), Mr. Daniel Gabriel (WCA UN & Human Rights Director) and Mr. Melki Toprak (Chairman of the Aramean Federation of Switzerland) visit His Holiness.
