Lebanon, 31 March 2014. His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George sent his congratulations to Mar Ignatius Aphrem II Karim, who has been elected the new Patriarch of Antioch of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Cardinal Martino wished the new Patriarch every success with his new responsibilities: “In these moments, it is difficult not to think of the missing Bishop of Aleppo, Bishop Mar Gregorius, who was kidnapped last year. I know that the new Patriarch served as secretary for a number of years to Bishop Gregorius – this election gives the universal church a good opportunity to pray in unison for Bishop Gregorius’s release and safe return to his flock.”
Cardinal Martino concluded: “These are critical times for Christianity in the Middle East, where extremism and fanaticism have been on the increase: most especially in the last three years. The flock in these beleaguered lands is in need of a strong shepherd now more than ever, and in that regard, Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem is a response to so many prayers. I wish him every success, and will hold his mission very closely in my prayers.”
During his years as hierarch of the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church for the Eastern United States, His Holiness Mar Ignatius Aphrem II Karim has distinguished himself as an ecumenist very much concerned with Christian unity. He served on both the Executive and Central Committees of the World Council of Churches, attending the 1991 WCC General Assembly in Canberra, the 1998 WCC General Assembly in Harare, and the 2006 Assembly in Porto Alegre. In all his ecumenical activities, Archbishop Cyril most capably represented the Holy Church and has won the admiration and respect of his colleagues and confreres.
His Eminence Archbishop Athanasius Toma Dawod, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, is also a senior member of the British and Irish Delegation of the Constantinian Order.
The Delegate of Great Britain and Ireland, HE Mr Anthony Bailey accompanied by HSH Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg attended the memorial service for His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, The Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church on 5 April 2014 at St Thomas Cathedral in London.