His Beatitude Patriarch John X Celebrates the Funeral service of Christ in St. Thekla Church in Samandag
April 14, 2023
In the context of his paternal visit to enquire after the parishes in Antioch, Alexandretta and Mersin, His Beatitude John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, celebrated the Funeral service for Christ in the Church of St. Thekla in Samadag, with the concelebration of Their Eminences Bishops Constantine Kayal and Arsenios Dahdal, Rev. Archimandrite George Yacoub, and Rev. priests: Damian Yacouboglu, parish priest of Samandag, Tryphon Yomurta, parish priest of Samandag, Dimitri Dogum, parish priest of Antioch, Jean Delolar, parish priest of Antioch, Paul Ordologlou. The heads of the associations in the parishes of Antioch, the delegation accompanying His Beatitude, and the parishioners of Samndag also attended the service.
At first, His Beatitude, surrounded by clergy and the faithful, entered the church while the scouts of Prophet Elias's were playing music, accompanied by hymns performed by Saint Catherine's Choirs for adults and children, and church flag bearers.
The service also included a consoling speech by Patriarch John X:
"What words can one say, my beloved ones, in moments like this? Here I am with you, among you, as we are celebrating the funeral service of Christ in this holy church. We know that the churches of the Virgin Mary and the Prophet Elias were destroyed, as many churches and homes, and many families were displaced and hurt. We also lost many of our children in the terrible earthquake."
His Beatitude continued: "Today we are talking about Antioch, Alexandretta, Mersin. We are talking about this historical region whose name we bear. It is the mother church that gave the name of Christians to the world."
He added: I glorify God for the love that you show for the Church and for each other. We have known in you this solid faith and adherence to the Church. We have known in you that the Church of Antioch is deeply present in your blood and hearts, and we also feel great hope when we hear from all the people who visited you during the earthquake, that they came back with lessons of hope, perseverance and faith. On this occasion, allow me to convey to you the wishes and prayers of the Fathers our Bishops of the Synod, the monks and nuns, and all the faithful people, for endurance and hope.”
His Beatitude concluded: "Everything that was destroyed and demolished will restored even better than before thanks to your presence and steadfastness. We will not leave you and shall remain by your side. So let us say together aloud ‘Christ is risen’."
After that, there was a brief speech by the parish priest, Father Tryphon Yumurta, in which he thanked His Beatitude for his efforts, love, and embracing his children, describing him as the spiritual blessing they need.
Then the head of the association in Samandag, Dr. Damian Amaktash, delivered the following speech: “We are honored with your presence, Your Beatitude, and we see in your person a spiritual, moral, and material support. You are the model of the good father. As for Antioch, it is the best example of coexistence, love and respect. Across history Antioch has been through many hardships, and yet it quickly arose and was born again. Today, thanks to your presence, Your Beatitude, it will be reborn to live again.”
After finishing his speech, he presented to Patriarch John X an icon of the patron saints of the churches in Samandag to protect him from adversity.
In conclusion, the faithful walked in procession inside and outside the church, awaiting with love, hope and faith the Pascha of Christ, the Pascha of the Resurrection.
In the end, His Beatitude met with the parishioners, listening to their concerns and pain and offering them moral, spiritual, and material support.
This news was originally published on the Facebook Page of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.
