2011-01-16
Our Archdiocese in Mexico was truly the bride of Christ recently. Our church there had a great event in the history of the Orthodox Church in the Latin America. It was the consecration of the Church of Apostles Peter and Paul in Mexico on the 16th of January. Presided by his Eminence Antoin Shedraui accompanied by their Eminences: Sergios (Chili), Damaskinos (Brazil), Paul (Australia), George (Homs), Paul (Aleppo), Soluan (Argentina), John (Europe), Ghattas (patriarchal procurator), Bishop Antoin Khouri from North America, the office started with presence of the Cardinal Norperto Ripera, the Ambassador of the Holy See Kristof Pierre, George Abi Younes (the Maronite bishop) and Fr. Zakharia from the Coptic Church.
The Office started at 11am according to the Orthodox rite of consecration. The altar was washed, a procession was performed and relics of saints were put inside the altar. The choir chanted amazingly in the Spanish language and the Metropolitans used Arabic in a climate which recalled a feeling of nostalgia. His Grace, bishop Ghattas read the letter of the Patriarch. In his letter His Beatitude congratulated and blessed our faithful people and prayed to God that the newly consecrated church would be a source of the divine grace for them all. His Eminence Shedraoui then addressed the audience; he thanked the Metropolitans for their presence, he thanked also all the congregation for their efforts in the construction of this grand church.
On Monday 17th of January, His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the occasion of his patron saint. He was accompanied by the other Metropolitans as members of the Holy Synod. After the Divine Liturgy, the Archdiocese organized a lunch with 1500 persons. This official and pastoral lunch was a great evidence of the wisdom of His Eminence who gathered 12 governors to in this grand occasion. One of them was the governor of the province of Mexico city who helped a lot in constructing this huge ecclesiastical institution. Ministers, deputies and other official persons were present. Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world was present.
May God Grant his Eminence many many years.
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