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Important Update on the Plans Leading Up to the Meeting of the Holy Synod of Antioch, Beginning June 16

It was the original plan of His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP to attend the upcoming meeting of the Holy Synod of Antioch in person. All of his travel arrangements had been made, and tickets had been purchased. However, he contracted a virus earlier this week, and his doctors advised him not to travel for health reasons. By the grace of God, he is feeling a bit better, and we ask everyone to pray for his good health.

Since our Bishop JOSEPH was still in Damascus, His Eminence asked His Beatitude Patriarch IGNATIUS IV for permission to allow Bishop JOSEPH to represent this Archdiocese on behalf of Metropolitan PHILIP, and this permission was granted. Bishop JOSEPH will attend the meeting of the Holy Synod on behalf of Metropolitan PHILIP, and he will participate in the discussion on the topic of the February 24th decision of the Holy Synod that affected the status of all bishops across the See of Antioch.

Our prayers are with His Beatitude Patriarch IGNATIUS IV, the members of the Holy Synod of Antioch, and our representative Bishop JOSEPH for a most fruitful and productive meeting.