#orientalorthodox

Explanation of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Emblem part 2/2 4. In the middle are the two keys which are held together & bound at the ends. This is in reference to St. Peter the Holy Apostle. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to St. Peter saying, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: & whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: & whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Mathew 16:19) The prayers of the Syriac Orthodox Church call St. Peter as the keeper of the Keys of the Kingdom (Semavoon kabel kleede d'malkooso). St. Peter has traditionally been depicted with these keys in iconography as well. St. Peter is the chief of the Apostles (ris'ho daslihe) & he established the first Apostolic Holy See in Antioch (where believers in Christ were first called Christians, as written in Acts 11:26). The Patriarch of Antioch and all the East is the successor to this Holy Apostolic See. 5. In the bottom centre is a scale. This represents the justice, righteousness & impartiality to be carried out by the Patriarch as a judge in the Church while making decisions, & also symbolizes the protector of the Church's faith, constitution, laws & beliefs. 6. Below the emblem is the title of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate written in Syriac, the official language of the Syriac Orthodox Church. However, in Syria the Arabic inscription is also present. The Syriac inscription is: Paṭriarḵo ḏ-Anṭiuḵia waḏ-Kuloh Maḏĕnḥo The Arabic inscription is: Baṭriyark li-ʾAnṭākya wa-Sāʾir al-Mašriq Both mean, "Patriarch of Antioch and all the East" #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox

October 18th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Luke the Evangelist according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Lukose sabrono was born at Antioch and was a gentile. He was a physician & was a disciple of the Holy Apostles (Colossians 4:14). Church historian Eusebius of Caesarea writes that St. Luke was of Greek origin. St. Paul recorded that Luke was with him at the close of his ministry.(2 Timothy 4:11) St. Luke was a fellow labourer of St. Paul in the missionary tours (Philemon 1:24). They earned their own living, “Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, for those who were with me” (Acts 20:34). Paul did the tent-making & Luke practised medicine (Acts 18:3). Luke travelled along with St. Paul to Jerusalem. It is assumed that when St. Paul was in prison, Luke had occasion to interact with the other apostles & to collect materials to write the gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. He is the only Gospel writer not of Jewish origin. The Gospel according to St. Luke is unique in certain respects. The childhood of Jesus is described in this gospel. The Magnificat is included in this gospel (Luke 1:46-56). Luke might have visited St. Mary to collect these details. St. Luke is the first iconographer, he wrote the icon of St. Mary the mother of God which is kept in St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church at the house of St. Mark (Dayro d-Mor Marqos) in Jerusalem. St. Like departed for the heavenly abode at the age of 84 at Boetia or Bithynia. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Lukose sabrono! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #saint #assyrian

This Thursday October 12th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Cosmas and St. Damian +306 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Qozma & Mor Dumyana were twin brothers. They were born in Arabia & they studied the sciences in Syria & became eminent in their skills in medicine. They treated patients without taking any fee, instead asking those who were healed to believe in Christ Jesus. They were imprisoned by the order of Lysias, governor of Cilicia. The brothers were persecuted for their faith in Christ. It is recorded that while they were hanging on crosses, the mob stoned them, but the stones flew backwards & hit the tormentors; similarly, the arrows of archers who were brought up to shoot at them turned in the air & scattered the bowmen. After various torments, they were beheaded for the faith. Thus Mor Cosmas & Mor Damian attained the crown of martyrdom. Three others, Anthimus, Leontius & Euprepius are also said to have been martyred with them. Many miracles of healing were ascribed to them after their death. St. Cosmas & St. Damian are the patron saints of doctors. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Qozma & Mor Dumyana! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #doctor #saint #assyrian

October 17th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Ignatius of Antioch +107 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Ignatius Noorono was the third Patriarch of Antioch, the successor to St. Peter the chief of the Apostles. Church historian Eusebius of Caesarea writes that St. Ignatius succeeded St. Evodius, likewise St. John Chrysostom states St. Peter specifically chose St. Ignatius to be his successor. Ignatius is also called Theophorus in Greek which means 'God-Borne' because of the tradition that he was the child Christ held according to the Gospel of Matthew 18:2-3. Theophorus may also be interpreted as 'God-Bearer' because of the virtue practiced by Ignatius in witnessing God as is expected of every true believer. In Syriac he is given the title Noorono or 'Illuminator/fire-bearer'. St. Ignatius wrote 7 letters to root out the heresies which were plaguing the early Church. The letters are addressed to Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, & to his friend St. Polycarpos the bishop of Smyrna. He wrote these letters en route from Smyrna to Rome where he was to be executed. St. Ignatius was ordered to be executed by Roman Emperor Trajan. Bishop Polycarp welcomed St. Ignatius on his way to Rome (to be executed) under armed guard. Several Syrian Christian delegates from other churches at Smyrna received him. At Rome he was thrown into the amphitheater filled with voracious lions to be devoured on October 17th. It is said that only the toughest of his bones remained. Thus Mor Ignatius Noorono attained the crown of martyrdom. His relics were then taken to Antioch & venerated by the pious believers. Emperor Theodosius II later moved his relics to another church in the city on December 20th. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Ignatius Noorono! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #fathers #saint #assyrian

September 29th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of Qooberneeyto Hakeemo Mor Clemis Abraham Vayala +2002 the Chief Metropolitan of the East. A stalwart son of the Syriac Orthodox Church, he offered courageous leadership in all endeavours for the protection of the true faith. For his dedicated service to the Church & excellent leadership capabilities, he was awarded the title Qooberneeyto Hakeemo (wise captain) by the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Mor Ignatius Zakka I of blessed memory during the Apostolic visit to Malankara in 1982. He was elevated to the rank of Chief Metropolitan of the East in 1989. Mor Clemis worked tirelessly for the growth of the Knanaya community. He faithfully served the Syriac Orthodox Church for over half a century. #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #bishop #edessa #kna #kna345

This Monday August 28th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Moses the Abbyssinian +405 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Mushe Kusoyo (Musa al-Habashi) or as he is known in the Coptic Church, abba Moses the Strong, was an ethnic Ethiopian who lived in Egypt. He was physically a towering figure. Moses later joined a band of robbers, becoming their leader due to his sheer physicality & frightening demeanor. He lived a dreadfully sinful life. the run from authorities, he took shelter amongst monks in the desert of Wadi El Natrun, where he was was so influenced by them that he sought to relinquish his evil past. By the great mercy of God, Moses repented & decided to live a solitary life of prayer & strict fasting. However, he still wrestled with his passions on a daily basis. When he was 75, Moses learnt that the Monastery would be attacked by Berbers, & he told his fellow monks to leave, they asked him to escape as well but he replied, “For many years now, I have awaited the time when the words of my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, should be fulfilled: ‘All who take up the sword, shall perish by the sword." The bandits came & killed all the remaining monks. Thus, St. Moses the Abbyssinian attained the crown of martyrdom #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #fathers #monk #egypt #ethiopia #moses #assyrian

July 3rd is the commemoration of the translation of the Holy Relics of St. Thomas the Apostle from Mylapore India to Edessa (Urhoy), according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. St. Thomas came to Kerala in AD52 at Kodungalur. He initially preached to the existing Jewish community, followed by evangelization of the gentiles. He performed many miracles. Local tradition states he established 7 churches & ordained elders from 4 families of the upper echelons of their society. After evangelizing in Kerala, he left to Tamil Nadu. In AD72 he was pierced with a lance by the pagan soldiers. He succumbed to his injuries, dying three days later. Thus Mor Touma attained the crown of martyrdom. The Holy Relics were later transferred to Edessa (Urhoy) on July 3rd AD394 and interred on August 22nd. The relocation of the relic of St. Thomas to Urhoy is described in the Hoothomo of this feast. His relics would later be transferred to St. Thomas Cathedral in Mosul, Iraq. In 1964 during renovation work, the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Mor Ignatius Zakka (who was then Mor Severios, Archbishop of Mosul) rediscovered the priceless relics in the Altar of St. Thomas Church. A portion of these relics were gifted to the Malankara Christians in 1964 & again in 1982. In 2014, due to the onslaught of the ISIS insurgency, the relics were shifted for safekeeping to the Beth Qadishe of Dayro d-Mor Mattai Nineveh Iraq. Oh Mor Touma Sleeho! May your intercession on your blessed feast be with us all. May your prayers protect the Christians of Mesopotamia. Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #eastern #saint #apostle #thomas #india #tamil #nadu #iraq #mylapore #assyrian #chaldean #maronite

This Wednesday May 10th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Simon the Holy Apostle (Mor Simeon Sleeho) according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. St. Simon is known as Simon Kananaios (Greek translation of the Aramaic term 'qena na' ) meaning Zealot. He hailed from Galilee, the son of Cleophas of the tribe of Ephraim. He was a member of the 'Zealots' a Jewish nationalist organization which was against Roman oppression. After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, St. Simon preached in Jerusalem & Samaria along with St. Peter. Once there was a prominent Jewish leader whose son died. The Christians who attended the funeral told the leader to invite St. Simon who was preaching nearby to pray. Simon asked the father if he believed in Christ, the father replied he would only believe if his son could be brought back. St.Simon turned to the east & prayed, “Christ, our Lord, the one who was crucified during the times of Pontius Pilate, please raise this boy from death so that they will believe you are God and your name will be hallowed and everyone will believe in you.” Then he walked towards the dead boy & spoke, “Rise in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit so that all should believe in Jesus Christ.” Miraculously the dead boy opened his eyes and sat up. Simon asked them to serve him food. The assembled crowd knelt before him & cried, “How can we be saved?” Believe in Christ & you will be saved was his answer. St. Simon continued preaching, especially in Aleppo, Mabug & Clovedia. He attained the crown of martyrdom by being crucified along with Apostle St. Jude. Biography adapted from 'Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Simeon Sleeho plead for us before God's throne of grace. May we too be zealous in our faith, unwavering in times of hardship. May your prayers be a refuge for us all. Amen. #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #eastern #fathers #saint #apostle #simon #assyrian #chaldean #maronite