On March 9, 2019, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo at Mor Severus Church in the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh – Bikfaya, Lebanon.

During the Qurobo, Patriarch Mor Ignatius consecrated Rev. Raban Jack Yakoub as archbishop, patriarchal vicar for the youth affairs and religious education.

His Holiness was assisted by Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Joseph Absi, Melkite-Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Alexandria, and Jerusalem, in addition to a number of Patriarchal Vicars from various parts of the world.

In his sermon, Patriarch Mor Ignatius recalled the story of the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia, whom the Church commemorates. He considered that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world. He added that each one of us is a martyr (witness) for Christ, some by blood, others by words or deeds.

Speaking about the consecration of a new archbishop, His Holiness said that today the Church presents a new martyr (witness) for Christ. The way of martyrdom, His Holiness added, is full of spiritual joy even despite all the troubles and hardship.

At the end of the event, he congratulated the new archbishop wishing him a fruitful service for the church, especially the youth. During the Qurobo, according to the rite of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, the new archbishop declared his Orthodox Faith and signed it before His Holiness the Patriarch.

His Holiness prayed the prayer of the invocation of the Holy Spirit and the laying on of the hand. He laid his right hand on the head of Raban Jack and ordained him as an archbishop. Then, His Holiness gave the new bishop his fatherly name (Anthimos), and started to put on him the bishopric vestments.

Then, the new archbishop, Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, delivered an address titled, “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (John 17:19), in which he said: “today, as I receive by grace the holy episcopacy by the laying on of hands of Your Holiness, I become a Nazirite for the Lord, and continue to sanctify myself for the sake of sanctifying my brethren”.

He added “This I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me… by doing this, I follow Your Holiness’ example, for you have established a special department for Syriac youth ministry, who you always cared for, because you believe they are presence and future of the Church.”

His Eminence then thanked His Holiness, the archbishops, the priests, monks, nuns, his family members, and all those who supported him through his life and church service.