His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan Ordains Monsignor Habib Mrad as Chorbishop
With the Participation of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II
The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Ordination and Extends His Congratulations on Behalf of MECC
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), celebrated the Divine Liturgy during which he ordained Monsignor Habib Mrad, Member of the MECC Executive Committee, as Chorbishop. The ordination took place on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Church, Patriarchal See, Museum area - Beirut.
The Divine Liturgy and ordination were attended by His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as Bishops, Archpriests, Priests, Deacons, Monks, and Nuns from various Church Families.
Attendees were also the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, heading a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat, which included Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue and Human Dignity Programs, and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations. In addition, the family of the newly ordained, Religious, social, and educational personnalities, and believers, were present.
Following the Holy Gospel, His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan delivered a Homily for the occasion, entitled "Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus." As well as, the newly ordained Chorbishop Habib Mrad addressed a word of thanks in Syriac and Arabic, which began with the verse, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching" (John 14: 23).
On this occasion, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on behalf of the MECC family, extends to Chorbishop Habib Mrad his warmest congratulations, praying to God to grant him continued health and success in his new mission to serve the Syriac Catholic Church, the Ecumenical movement, and the society.
MECC also wishes him many years of goodness, blessings, and holiness, asking God to bestow upon him strength in his lofty duties, as well as abundant blessings so that he may continue to be a model of love, giving, and work in the Lord's field.
