His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch: “You are the true altar of the Church”
It is a day of joy and hope. It is the Day of Resurrection, which was revealed in its most beautiful form, after the devastating earthquake that struck humans and stones in the year 2023. But here is the Cathedral of Saint George reborn, inaugurated, and consecrated by His Beatitude Patriarch John X in the event of his visit pastoral visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Latakia and dependencies, upon the invitation of the Archdiocesan Shepherd His Eminence Metropolitan Athanasios Fahd. May the Church shine as light in the hearts of the faithful.
Surrounded by a crowd of clergymen and faithful laity who came together to await their Shepherd and to record this historic day in the register of the Church of Antioch, His Beatitude entered the Cathedral of St. George.
His Beatitude celebrated the service of consecration of the cathedral, followed by the Divine Liturgy with the participation of Their Eminences, Metropolitan Athanasios Fahd (Latakia); Metropolitan Basilios Mansour (Akkar); Metropolitan Silouane Oner (Great Britain); Metropolitan Nicolas Baalbaki (Hama); Metropolitan Efrem Maalouli (Aleppo and Alexandretta) Metropolitan Gregorios Khoury (Homs); Metropolitan Antonios Saad (Houran) and the bishops: Romanos Al-Hannat, Moussa Al-Khoury, Dimitri Sharbak, Constantine Kayal, John Batash, Arsanios Dahdal, Mousa Al Khasi, and a group of priests and deacons.
His Beatitude delivered a sermon in which he said: “Today is a day of great joy because we performed the cathedral dedication Liturgy together with the shepherd of the Archdiocese, Metropolitan Athanasios, the bishops, the fathers, the priests, and the faithful people.
As for the consecration service, it consists in placing the relics of saints and martyrs inside the holy altar, to pray before them, and ask for their intercession.”
His Beatitude continued: “My beloved ones, the true altar is the human being, because one abandons the old man, adopts the Lord Jesus Christ, and imitates Him, for He has redeemed us with his precious blood. And you should know, beloved ones, that for us, the consecration of the church is similar to the service of baptism.”
His beatitude concluded his speech: “Let me tell you that you are the church and I ask God to give you strength, grace, and blessing so that this parish can be alive, active, and a witness to its Lord.” His Beatitude also thanked the choir that uplifted the faithful to heaven.
In conclusion, Father Meletios Msaykeh was given the rank of Archimandrite amidst the crowd crying out “Axios!”
Source: Patriarchate of Antioch
