Patriarch Ignatius IV coming to America

(Antiochian.org) - Beloved Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees, Members of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch, The Antiochian Women, Members of St. John the Divine and SOYO, and all faithful of our God-protected Archdiocese:

I am delighted to inform you that we have received news that our Father in Christ, His Beatitude, IGANTIUS IV, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East [pictured left], will be visiting our Archdiocese this autumn. His Beatitude will arrive at Newark Liberty Airport on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and will travel to Boston on Thursday, October 30. In Boston, he will preside over a fund-raising banquet on Saturday evening, November 1, 2008, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the University of Balamand in Lebanon. During this auspicious occasion, the members of the Balamand Educational Foundation have decided to establish a scholarship fund in honor Metropolitan PHILIP (Saliba) for needy and worthy students.

If you would like to receive the blessings of His Beatitude, he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 2, 2008, at a place to be determined within the Diocese of New England. Hotel arrangements can be made at the Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 or by calling 800/937-8461. The rooms are reserved in the name of the University of Balamand/Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. The rate is $199.00 per night and you must make your reservations before October 17, 2008 to get this special rate. Please check our website www.antiochian.org for the latest information about the place and time of the Divine Liturgy and more information about the banquet.

Wishing you a blessed beginning of the new Ecclesiastical Year, I remain,

Your Father in Christ,

Metropolitan PHILIP, Primate

The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America