Remembering Our His Holiness Ignatius Zakka Iwas

Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas has reposed;Remembering Our His Holiness

It is a sad moment for us to hear the message of  the passing away of our His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East into eternal life; who loved us till his last breath and was kind enough to visit us four times amidst illness. We the people of India thank him from the bottom of the heart and pray that  may God rest him in peace. 

His Holiness is the 122nd successor to St. Peter in the Apostolic See of Antioch, completed his 34 years in the Patriarchal See and was reached his 80 on 21st April, 2013.It is the high time to remember his remarkable contributions in Ecumenical Movement as the a President of the World Council of Churches (WCC). With respect and fear, we introspect a statement which made by our His Holiness;

"We find today no real basis for the sad divisions and schisms that subsequently arose between us concerning the doctrine of Incarnation. In words and life we confess the true doctrine concerning Christ our Lord, notwithstanding the differences in interpretation of such a doctrine which arose at the time of the Council of Chalcedon"

It is apparent that he was a little bit disturbed by the sad plight of unwanted divisions and conflicts among churches. As true Christians, let's remember our Lord Jesus Chris; his crucifixion made two enemies King Herod and Pilate friends; and together pray for the actualization His dream - togetherness in Ecumenism.  

It is also very hard to realize that during the recent years of the tragic suffering in Syria and Iraq, His Holiness has been a source of consolation and support to his spiritual children both near and far. Shall we together pray for the peace of Syria. 

Let our God sustain and support the Holy Church of Antioch through this time of sorrow and loss. In this time of mourning and lent days, We also pray for the peace of His Church  and for the blessings of God to select a worthy successor to shepherd the flock through the challenging years that await us.

Paul V Mathew

St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Poothrikka

Kandanadu Diocese

Kochi, Kerala, India