#syrianorthodox

The Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, with two Syriac Orthodox bishops at the Monastery of Mor Aphrem in the Netherlands in 2016.

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

This Sunday October 15th is the Commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Isaiah/Jesaja of Aleppo according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Esha'yo Holoboyo was one of the disciples of Mor Augin, who moved to Anhel in Tur'Abdin. His parents were wealthy people from Aleppo. They gave him a good education and he married when he was 22- but against his will. During the wedding night he and his young wife, Hanna, an angel appeared. Mor Esha'ya and Hanna agreed to move on to live in abstinence. Mor Esha'ya met Mor Augin on the way to Mesopotamia and from this meeting, the desire developed in Mor Esha'ya to become a monk . But he first asked Hanna if she wanted to become a nun. They parted and Mor Esha'ya followed Mor Augin to preach and to live a life of healing. After he had settled in Anhel, he made a pilgrimage to Palestine. When he visited his wife Hanna, near Aleppo, in her monastery, he found her dying on her deathbed. He wept bitterly, but he saw the room lit up as she handed her soul to her Lord. After he had returned to Anhel, he baptized many people in the town. Biography researched and translated by Miss. Ranya Kucukkaplan Oh Mor Esha'yo Holoboyo! 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

August 8th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St Raboula of Edessa +435 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Raboula was born in a wealthy family of Kenneshrin (Chalcis near Aleppo, Syria). His father was a pagan priest & mother was a Christian. He learned Greek & Syriac, got married & led a family life. Once while listening to an evangelical talk in Mor Abraham Dayaro in Kenneshrin he felt a desire to listen to & study the word of God. Later he learned theology from Mor Eusebius of Smishath & Aakkak Episcopo of Aleppo. When he returned to Kennishrin he lived away from his family making his wife & children lead an ascetic life. He freed his slaves & shared his riches with the poor, later joining the Monastery. St. Raboula was ordained a priest in AD388 & in AD411 after the death of Bishop Diogenes of Urhoy (Edessa), Raboula was ordained as the successor by the Patriarch of Antioch. He was a close friend of St. Cyril of Alexandria. Mor Raboula was vehemently opposed to Nestorianism. With fierce determination he combatted the growing rise of heresy in his diocese & elsewhere, even traveling to Constantinople to preach the true faith & denounce Nestorian ideology in front of Patriarch Theodosius (who was leaning towards Nestorianism). His literary legacy comprises of rules for the ascetics, rules for the children of the covenant, rules about services in the Church, a few madraso, sugeetho & bovootho. He is a well known for abolishing the use of the Syriac Diatessaron (harmonized combination of the Gospels) ordering instead that the Syriac translations of the 4 canonical Gospels be made available in every church. It was customary for Raboula to stay at Mor Abraham Dayaro every year fasting & meditating for spiritual rejuvenation. He took part in the Synod of Ephesus in AD 431. His reign as Bishop of Edessa lasted for 24 years. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Raboula! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #aramäer #aramean #suryoyo #church #assyrian (at Urfalı, Izmir, Turkey)

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