Ignatius Afram I Barsoum AD 1957

Ignatius Afram I Barsoum AD 1957

June 23rd the Syriac Orthodox Church commemorates the anniversary of the demise of thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum +1957 of blessed memory. He was the 120th Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. He was born on 15 June 1887 at Mosul, Iraq to Esthaphan & Susan. He was baptized with the name Job. Thrice blessed late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abde d-Aloho II Sattuf ordained him deacon with the name Aphrem after completing his studies in Zafaran Monastery, Mardin Turkey. A year later, he was ordained priest & entrusted to care for the Patriarchal printing press. On May 20th 1928 he was ordained bishop Severus with charge of the diocese of Syria, by thrice blessed Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III (may his prayers be with us). After World War I, he gained national recognition not only as a man of religion, but also as a man of learning. He championed the cause of Syrian unity, winning firm popular support by his admonition to the French to regard themselves as liberators rather than conquerors. In 1919, he was chosen to represent the national rights of the Syriac community in the peace settlement at Paris. He was disillusioned, however, by the atmosphere of self-interest which prevailed among the delegates representing the European powers, & at one stage of the conference found himself defending not only the rights of the Syriacs, but those of the Arab nations. Aphrem was an ardent bibliophile, visiting the world famous libraries of Oxford & Cambridge, preparing Syriac books. He went to USA & established 3 churches, ordained a few priests & lectured in many famous universities. Following the demise of St. Ignatius Elias III of blessed memory, he was enthroned as Patriarch on January 30th 1933. He quickly got to work, constructing the Patriarchal headquarters in Homs, a number of churches in Syria & establishing a theological seminary in Zahle, Lebanon. Mor Aphrem was proficient in Syriac, Arabic, Latin, French & German. A few works include, 'The Church history since the time of Bar Hebraeus' (1286-1940), 'The history of Zafaran Monastery', 'The history of Syrian Dioceses (1687-1768)', 'The History of the Church during the First Four Centuries', 'The biographies of Syrian fathers', 'The History of Thur’abdin', 'Arabic Syriac encyclopaedia', 'The Shorter Catechism of the Syrian Orthodox Church', & 'The Spiritual Treasure of Canonical prayers'. His magnum opus work, "The Scattered Pearls: A History of Syriac Literature and Sciences" is the most extensive survey of Syriac literature ever compiled by an eastern scholar. There are several books which still remain as manuscripts. The Syriac Christians should earnestly take up the translation/publication of these works. Mor Ignatius Aphrem rediscovered the girdle of the blessed virgin St. Mary the mother of God in 1953. It has been carbon tested by archeologists to determine its age; the authenticity is confirmed. It is kept in Church of the Virgin’s Girdle (Um al-Zennar Church), Homs Syria. HH Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum served the Church with great dedication. Mor Aphrem loved the Malankara Church & he ordained a number of Metropolitans. He was called to eternal rest to the heavenly abode on 23rd June 1957. On 27th June his mortal remains were interred at the northern side of the altar of St. Mary's Soonoro Church Homs, Syria. Biography adapted from 'Martyrs, Saints, and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' and SOR. Photos courtesy Historic Images of Syriac Orthodox Church Barekmor Moran! Zel bashlomo Kumran Rabo! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. http://sor.cua.edu/Personage/PAphrem1/index.html