Martyrs Remembered by H.B Mar Gewargis Sliwa

The martyrs of last month’s massacre at Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Church, Baghdad, have been remembered during Holy Mass led by His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa, Archibishop of Iraq and Russia, while visiting Sweden.

The mass, on the 7th of November, was held at the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in the Swedish capital of Stockholm.

His Beatitude offered the Divine Liturgy in the presence of His Grace Mar Odisho Oraham, Bishop of Europe, as well as a large gathering of parish faithful that attended to praise our Lord Jesus Christ and pray for Christian martyrs.

Mentioned during mass were more than 50 victims killed during the terrorist attack including the priests performing their service to God, Reverend Thaer Saad and Reverend Boutros Wassim, as well as women, men and children, some of whom were relatives of the parish members.

As a remembrance to the victims, the names of the deceased were recited during Divine Liturgy while church hymns were performed by artist Suad Elias.

Following Holy Mass, Archbishop Mar Gewargis’s visit was commemorated during an organised breakfast and fellowship, where he took pleasure in meeting and speaking to sons and daughters of the parish, accompanied by Bishop Mar Odisho.

His Grace delivered a moving speech in Arabic about the tragedy suffered by Assyrians in the Middle East and then gave a valuable account in English of the suffering of Christians in their homeland.

Archbishop Mar Gewargis gave his deep thanks to the parish for their warm reception, led by Bishop Mar Odisho, where the spirit of hope was broadcast into the hearts of the church members.

Tributes were also paid to the martyrs during a service at the Syrian Catholic Church in Stockholm, attended by both Archbishop Mar Gewargis and Bishop Mar Odisho in a show of condolence and Christian unity.

Archbishop Mar Gewargis and Bishop Mar Odisho next travelled to the city of Enechubik, to celebrate Holy Mass in the parish of St Kuriakos’ and meet members of the parish, as well as paying a visit to parish members in the city of Jonkopping.

His Beatitude conveyed his happiness at visiting the faithful in Sweden, however, after several days his presence was required in Germany in order to participate in another meeting on the situation in Iraq.