Condolence Letter from WCC general secretary on the demise of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas

Condolences on death of Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas

21 March 2014

Your Eminences and Graces,

Respected members of the Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, faithful of the Syrian Orthodox Church worldwide,

It is with deep sorrow and compassion for the Syrian Orthodox Church that the World Council of Churches (WCC) has received the news of the passing away to eternal life of Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas I, supreme spiritual head of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East since 1980, a much respected church leader and pastor in the Middle East, and an eminent figure of the ecumenical movement both in Middle East and worldwide.

Patriarch Zakka served the ecumenical movement for many decades. He was elected as one of the WCC Presidents from Harare (1998) to Porto Alegre (2006) in recognition of his longstanding ecumenical commitment. As Metropolitan of his Church he had participated in many meetings and committees of the WCC, including its central committee. He had also represented his church as an observer to the Vatican II. His contribution to the dialogue of his church with Rome resulted in important Christological agreements, helping to overcome theological confusions and misunderstandings which had divided Christians for centuries.

He was also deeply involved in the ecumenical movement in the Middle East, being among the founders and subsequently a supporter and leader of the Middle East Council of Churches. He had developed excellent relationships and channels of collaborations with the heads of the other Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East, and with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.

His Holiness was a significant scholar and author of many works on Syriac language, theology and liturgy, and he cared deeply for his people and for the contribution the Syriac Christian tradition could make to the wider world. His care for the education of his clergy led to his establishment of the major Mor Ephrem Seminary in Ma`arat Sayyidnaya near Damascus. It is particularly sad that during the last decade of his life he witnessed the turmoil and suffering of his people, both in Iraq, where he had been Metropolitan for almost 20 years, and in Syria, where he resided as Patriarch. His wisdom in the context of these extremely difficult situations will be sorely missed.

Many in the leadership of the World Council of Churches had the privilege of working closely with Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas throughout the many years of his association and involvement in the ecumenical movement. Many recall his caring love for all, his genuine hospitality and his kind, encouraging words in all circumstances. We are indebted to him for the contributions he has made over the years and the significant leadership he has demonstrated in the course of his long years of service.

We thank God for the life and witness of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas; and, we offer our heartfelt condolences to his church and his beloved spiritual sons and daughters.

May his memory remain eternal in our Lord’s mind and in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
WCC general secretary

Source:
World Council of Churches

Funeral of Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas to be held in Damascus on March 28

KOTTAYAM, Mar 23, 2014: The funeral of His Holiness Moran Mar Ignatius Zakka I, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, will be held at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul in Damascus on March 28.

The headquarters of Syrian Orthodox Church in Lebanon has informed that the Syrian government has agreed to make all arrangements for the burial of the patriarch.

The funeral arrangements (tentative) for His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas is as follows:

Saturday, March 22, 2014 His Holiness’ body will be lying in state at Mor Yacoub Monastery in Germany.

Sunday, March 23, 2014, Holy Qurobo (Divine Liturgy) and visitation for His Holiness will be held at Mor Yacoub Monastery Germany.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014, His Holiness’ body will be received at Beirut airport and taken to Mor Yacoub Monastery in Atchaneh-Lebanon.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 His Holiness’ body will be lying in state at Mor Ephrem Church in Ashrafyeh Beirut.

Thursday, March 27, 2014 the first funeral service will be held at Mor Ephrem Church Ashrafyeh Beirut.

Thursday, March 27, 2014 His Holiness’ body will be taken to Damascus and lying in state at St. George Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus.

Friday, March 28, 2014 the final funeral service will be held at St. George Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus.

Friday, March 28, 2014 the burial service will be held at Mor Ephrem Monastery at Ma’arrat Saydanaya Syria.

Sunday, March 30, 2014 Holy Qurobo and Memorial Services will be held in all parishes of the Church throughout the world.

HIS HOLINESS PASSES AWAY AT 12 NOON GERMAN TIME - 21 March 2014St. 

Ephraim Monastery in Syria to be the final resting place of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas

Condolence Letter from Supreme Catholicos-Patriarch Karekin II on the demise of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas

Condolences on the Passing of His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East

Etchmiadzin 22 March, 2014: His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, send a letter of condolence to the Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, expressing his sorrow on the passing of His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. His Holiness offered the deepest sympathies on behalf of the Armenian Apostolic Church, her faithful, the Supreme Spiritual Council, and the clergy; to the clergy and to all Syrian Orthodox Christians in Syria and the dispersion.

His Holiness said in a letter of condolence . " The Syrian Orthodox Church has lost a "good shepherd," who fulfilled the mission of the Holy Church of Christ with deep and loving devotion over the last thirty four years. With great zeal and wisdom, His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I of blessed memory shepherded the Syrian Orthodox Church especially during the current challenging period of political upheaval in the Middle East.

Catholicos-Patriarch Karekin II with Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas

Thanks to the late Patriarch's efforts, monastic life experienced renewal and a blossoming, and the Syrian Church made significant contributions to the inter-church and inter-religious dialogues, as well as to the promotion of solidarity and peace in the world.

The fraternal and warm relations between our Churches were manifested during the various official visits and encounters, which we witnessed during the pontificates of our predecessors of blessed memory as well as in our own time through our personal meetings."

The Catholicos of All Armenians offered his prayer that God receive the soul of the blessed Patriarch in His Heavenly Kingdom; and that the Holy Spirit grant consolation to the servants and faithful flock of the Syrian Orthodox Church.

Blessed be the memory of the righteous

Information Service of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Condolences Message from Catholicos of the East His Holiness Baselios Paulose II on the Demise of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas of Antioch

KOTTAYAM, 22 March 2014: His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Paulose II , Catholicos of the East, on 21 March 2014 expressed his sorrow at the death of the Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.

His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Paulose II said:
“We express our heartfelt condolence in the demise of His Holiness Ignatius Zakka Iwas I, the Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church. As the Supreme Head of the Syrian Orthodox Church, His Holiness was well renowned among the Christian Churches in the world. As one time President of the World Council of Churches the Patriarch will be invariably missed by the ecumenical world.

At this occasion I recollect His Holiness’ relations to our Church. When the relics of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India was found in the ancient Church in Mosul, Iraq, His Holiness the Patriarch was a Metropolitan and we acknowledge the instillation of a portion of the relics at the Catholicate Palace in Devalokam. Again, as a Metropolitan, he was present in the Consecration of our predecessor His Holiness Baselios Augen I, Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan in 1964 and was present in the gracious occasion of the meeting of the heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in 1965.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church holds His Holiness the Patriarch of Antioch in the Holy Eucharistic Prayers and in the Canonical Prayers. Sadly, following the disputes, after 1975 we could not meet the Patriarch in person, we had mutually met and talked on the occasion of the Consecration of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch, in Cairo, in November 2012. Further to this, several of our Senior Priests and Metropolitans had personal acquaintance and relationship with him. It was evident to me that His Holiness the Patriarch had personally wished for the unity and peace in the Malankara Church.

We take this occasion to whole heartedly offer our prayers for the departed soul while continue to hold the people who are going through the difficulties of the civil war in Syria. May His Holiness’ soul be consoled in the presence of the company of Angels and saints.”

Source:
Inter-Church Relations Dept of the Indian Malankara Orthodox Church
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Earlier His Holiness instructed to all Parishes of the Indian Orthodox Church worldwide to observe special prayers for the late Patriarch on 23rd March Sunday 2014 during the Divine Liturgical services.
Source: Oriental Orthodoxy

Indian Orthodox Church Mourns the Demise of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas: Special Prayers to be observed

His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Paulose II of the East with Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas of Antioch at the Enthronement ceremony of the Coptic Pope Tawadros II on 18 Nov 201 at Saint Mark's Coptic Cathedral in Cairo- photos watani

Ajesh T Phlip (OCP Delegate)
OCP News Service
Kottayam (India), 22 March: The Primate of Indian Orthodox Church, Catholicos Baselios Paulose II, has published condolences message on the demise of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas of Antioch. The headquarters of the Indian Orthodox Church has send the official letter of condolences from Catholicos Baselios Paulose II. Catholicos Paulose II expressed his deepest sympathy and said that the demise of the Patriarch Zakka Iwas is great loss to the entire Christian world.

All Parishes of the Indian Orthodox Church worldwide will observe special prayers for the late Patriarch on 23rd March Sunday 2014 during the Divine Liturgical services.

Source: OCP News Service

Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of Antioch Enters Eternal Rest

KOCHI, March 21, 2014: The head of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, His Holiness Moran Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, has passed away.

The end came in a German hospital where he was admitted for treatment. He suffered a massive heart attack. He was 81.

Mar Ignatius was the 122nd reigning Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch. He became the patriarch on September 14, 1980, in St. George's Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus.

Known for his involvement in ecumenical dialogue, he was a prolific author. He was an observer at Second Vatican Council before becoming Metropolitan Bishop of Mosul. At the time of his election as patriarch, he had been Archbishop of Baghdad and Basra.

Mar Ignatius was born on April 21, 1933, in Mosul, Iraq. In 1946, he began his theological studies in the city's Mor Ephrem seminary and took monastic vows in 1954.

On November 17, 1957, he was ordained as a priest and, two years later, was given the pectoral cross as Ramban.

On November 17, 1963, he was ordained as Metropolitan Bishop of Mosul.

Following the death of Patriarch Mar Ignatius Yaqub III on June 25, 1980, Mar Ignatius was elected by the Synod of the Church to be the 122nd Syriac Patriarch of Antioch. He was enthroned as Patriarch on September 14, 1980, in Damascus.

Statement issued by the General Secretariat of the Holy Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch
March 22, 2014 - Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch -
The first statement issued by the General Secretariat of the Holy Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch concerning the passing away of His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.


Source: Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas passes away- manoramaonline.com

EGYPT – Coptic politician Shukrallah: what worries me is the possible return of the military to power

Cairo, March 6 (Agenzia Fides) - The Coptic politician Hala Shukrallah, the first woman elected to lead a Party in Egypt, has expressed "concern" with regards to the possibility that a return to power of the military in the Country could jeopardize a genuinely authentic democratic system.

Shukrallah, elected Presedent of the liberal Al-Dustour Party (founded by the Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei) in February, interviewed by the Egyptian media about the likely candidate for the presidential election of General Abdel Fattah al- Sisi, confessed her concern regarding the "incursion of the military in a democratic election". The Coptic political leader said she was concerned even before the operations of repression that caused nearly 1,500 deaths in the last eight months, especially in the ranks of Islamist groups, while recognizing the impossibility of a reconciliation between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian society. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 06/03/2014)

Agenzia Fides