In a land severely tried by years of suffering but never devoid of hope, the Church of Syria and the Custody of the Holy Land celebrate a new sprout of light. On August 28, 2026, in Aleppo, the local community and the Friars Minor gathered around Fr. Maikel Anjelo for his priestly ordination, an event that renews the vitality of the Franciscan mission in the Middle East.

The liturgy was presided over by His Excellency Most Rev. Hanna Jallouf, Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo of the Latins, who, with paternal closeness and the testimony of a pastor who daily shares the wounds of his people, conferred the sacrament of Holy Orders upon the young Franciscan. Welcoming with joy the faithful, family members, and confreres who arrived for the occasion were the Guardian of Aleppo, Fr. Bahjat, and the entire conventual fraternity, which took care of every moment of the celebration.

At the end of the Mass, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, addressed a message of thanks and best wishes. First raising gratitude to the Lord who "continues to call, consecrate, and send laborers into his harvest", the Custos expressed deep appreciation to the parents and family of Fr. Maikel Anjelo for the gift of life, the faith transmitted, and the love with which they accompanied him to the altar.

Addressing the new priest directly, Fr. Ielpo reminded him of the profound nature of the ministry he is preparing to live: "Always remember that the priest does not belong to himself, but to Christ and to his people. Be a man of prayer, a brother among brothers, a minister of mercy and hope". In a land marked by so many trials, the priestly service of Fr. Maikel is called to be a tangible sign of the presence of the Lord who consoles, reconciles, and gives peace.

Entrusted to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and Saint Francis of Assisi, the priesthood of Fr. Maikel Anjelo begins with the accompaniment of the entire community of the Holy Land, which continues to pray so that the new priest may safeguard the joy of the Gospel and the Church may not stop seeing new vocations bloom in the service of the Lord.