Friday, September 1st, 2006. The newly renovated Church of St. Francis, otherwise known as the Latin Church in Aleppo celebrated the ordination of a new priest, Rami Petraki, last Friday.
As the clock struck six, the host of Bishops and priests from the different Eastern Catholic Churches, were led by deacon Rami carrying his priestly garments to the altar at which he would be ordained priest during the Eucharistic celebration.
Presiding the celebration was Bishop Joseph Nazzaro and concelebrating were Fr. George Abu Khazen, Parish priest of Aleppo and Fr. Philip Mistreeh as representative of the Custos of the Holy Land who sent his apologies for not being able to attend.
In addition to the presiding priests, many Franciscan friars from all over Syria, Lebanon and Jordan participated in the laying of hands and blessing of this young priest.
Parishioners, relatives, friends and dearly beloved ones joined the Petrakis their celebration while the church choir animated the mass and the scout and youth groups added fervor to the celebration.
Bishop Nazzaro emphasized in his homily the importance of new vocations and divine service in our daily lives. The homily was followed by the ordination rites and the laying of hands.
After the celebration, everyone was invited for refreshments and all congratulated Fr. Rami Pertraki, family and friars were all invited to the dinner held in honor of the newly ordained priest.
Fr. Petraki’s first mass was celebrated the Sunday after, during which Fr. George Abu Khazen congratulated the priest in his homily.
We wish you all the best, Fr. Rami! May God bless you as you tread life’s paths. The Custody of the Holy Land.
G.K.
As the clock struck six, the host of Bishops and priests from the different Eastern Catholic Churches, were led by deacon Rami carrying his priestly garments to the altar at which he would be ordained priest during the Eucharistic celebration.
Presiding the celebration was Bishop Joseph Nazzaro and concelebrating were Fr. George Abu Khazen, Parish priest of Aleppo and Fr. Philip Mistreeh as representative of the Custos of the Holy Land who sent his apologies for not being able to attend.
In addition to the presiding priests, many Franciscan friars from all over Syria, Lebanon and Jordan participated in the laying of hands and blessing of this young priest.
Parishioners, relatives, friends and dearly beloved ones joined the Petrakis their celebration while the church choir animated the mass and the scout and youth groups added fervor to the celebration.
Bishop Nazzaro emphasized in his homily the importance of new vocations and divine service in our daily lives. The homily was followed by the ordination rites and the laying of hands.
After the celebration, everyone was invited for refreshments and all congratulated Fr. Rami Pertraki, family and friars were all invited to the dinner held in honor of the newly ordained priest.
Fr. Petraki’s first mass was celebrated the Sunday after, during which Fr. George Abu Khazen congratulated the priest in his homily.
We wish you all the best, Fr. Rami! May God bless you as you tread life’s paths. The Custody of the Holy Land.
G.K.