Aleppo – Syria: Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of Syriac Orthodox Church confirmed the unanimous election of Mar Boutros Kassis as Archbishop for Archdiocese of Aleppo and Environs on Saturday 03 September 2022. The seat of Archbishop of Aleppo and Environs became vacant after the Abduction of Mor Youhanna Ibrahim on April 22, 2013.
Metropolitans Boulos Yazigi and Mor Youhanna Ibrahim Kidnapped Outside Aleppo
According to the announcement from the Patriarchate, the decision came in after the meeting of priests, members of religious councils, and heads of church committees and institutions in the Diocese of Aleppo and its Dependencies with Patharich on 01 September 2022. Though Archbishop Mar Boutros Kassis was in charge of Aleppo as a patriarchal vicar, the seat was declared vacant on 27 July 2022 due to the emerging need for a permanent primate for the diocese.
According to legends, Metropolitan Mor Youhanna Ibrahim and Metropolitan Paul Yazigi were abducted on the way back from Turkey to Aleppo.
On the other hand, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch appointed Metropolitan Ephraim Maalouli against the vacant seat of Metropolitan Boulos Yaziji in October 2021.
Archbishop Mar Boutros Kassis was consecrated on 18 October 2019 as a patriarchal assistant holding additional charge of patriarchal vicar of Aleppo. Mar Boutros Kassis was functioning as the patriarchal delegate since the abduction of Mor Youhanna Ibrahim.
OCP News Service
