An Antiochian Patriarchal Delegation on a Visit to the Orthodox Antiochian Parishes in Turkey
The Antiochian Patriarchal delegation arrived at Adana International Airport, where they were received by the Priests of the Parish of Antioch, the Rev. Fr. Can Delüler and Pavlus Orduluoğlu, and Mr. Can Arap (President of the Mersin Association) and Cem Altıniş (Member of the Mersin Parish Council).
It is noteworthy that His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, appointed this delegation and assigned it to visit our Antiochian Parishes in Turkey, damaged by the earthquake.
After receiving the delegation at Adana airport, the Patriarchal delegation headed to Mersin on February 14, 2023, where the faithful received them with great joy and condolence, stressing the apostolic blessing of His Beatitude John X, Greek orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, which was conveyed to them by the patriarchal delegation.
The delegation met the people gathered there. Those people had left their homes and fled as a result of the devastating earthquake, from Antioch, Alexandretta, Tokaçlı, Sarılar, and Samandağ. Their Eminences, Bishops Constantine Kayal, and Arsenios Dahdal, spoke with the people, conveying to them the blessing of the Apostolic Church in the person of the Patriarch, the symbol of the Church’s unity, and assured them that their Mother Church, the Great Church of Antioch and All East, is supporting them in this ordeal and standing by them in all fields and that His Beatitude appointed a relief committee that he follows up personally, and whose aim is to secure all the faithful at all levels.
Then the Antiochian delegation was briefed on the concerns and aspirations of the sons of the Church affected by the earthquake and their needs, and they concluded the meeting with prayer, raising their hearts to the merciful Lord, asking for mercy and aid.
In the evening, the Antiochian delegation met with the affected people in the hotel that had been booked for them and rented by the parish of Mersin, with the support of the Patriarchate which invited the people to reside in the hotel. They encouraged them and praised their faith, steadfastness, and hope in the Lord Jesus.
This news was originally published on the Facebook Page of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (Source 1).
Source 2: Facebook Page of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.
