NOTIZIE INTORNO ALLA VITA QUOTIDIANA DELLA NOSTRA CHIESA

30 Ottobre 2022 ANTIOCH NEWSFLASH: October - November 2022 MANY THANKS to Glynn McNiven J.for editing the English... October 2nd. A Spanish group (49), mostly from Madrid, comes to celebrate with their priest Fr. Antonio. Among them is a lady, Luciana, originally from Como. October 3rd. Fr Marius from the church in Mersin brings his parents to visit Antioch. They spend two days with us. October 4th. Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis. At noon we celebrate Fr. Francis' name day and this evening we have a solemn commemoration with the community. At the end we have an excellent kunife (typical sweet from Antioch) The celebration wouldn’t be complete without it. October 7th. A group (35) from the distant island of Guam (USA) comes to celebrate. Among them two priests: Don Danny and Fr. Josè, a Paulist from the Philippines. October 8th. Today in Vignola (Modena) Fr Okan, a theology student, made his perpetual profession in the Capuchin Order of Emilia Romagna. He is from Izmir (Smyrna) and is expected to return to Turkey in two years. Fr Domenico was supposed to represent our Delegation at the event, but on the day of his planned departure (the 6th) there was a plane crash at Hatay airport, which was then closed for two days. Fr. Ezio went from Izmir. I did send this message that I share with you: Dear Okan, I am sorry not to be able to be present at your profession due to the sudden closure of the Hatay airport (serious aircraft accident). However through Fr. Matteo, I send you my best wishes both to you personally and in the name of all the confreres of the delegation I had been given and hoped to pass on in person. As a veteran of Turkey I am grateful to the Lord for your call to serve the Turkish Church as a Capuchin friar and I pray that He will give you perseverance and fidelity to the vows you are about to take. Let us remember that the Lord is faithful and with His grace and through the intercession of St. Francis and Mary he fulfils His plan for our life which is always a project of love, mercy and peace. I am close to you together with the "Turkish" confreres in prayer and affection. Peace and love! Domenico Antakya 10.7.22 October 9th. A non-Christian family from Antioch brings Mery, a young Catholic from Kenya, to Mass. She has started working as an au-pair in their family. October 13th. In Sile (Istanbul on the Black Sea) the 3-day annual convivance of the Neocatechumenal Way of Turkey takes place. Participants attend from S Antonio, Istanbul; The Parish of the Rosary, Izmir and from Antioch. It is led by itinerant Fr. Valeriano, Simona and Philip. Eight of us go from Antioch: myself, Fr Francis and the leaders of the two communities who will then pass it on to the others. They were very full days and everyone returned refreshed and happy. There were not only prayers in the various celebrations, a day of fasting and the penitential, but there was also a half day dedicated to formation in the face of the current gender challenges. I attach several photos. October 17th. Fr. Francis participates in an ongoing formation meeting on interreligious dialogue and ecumenism in Istanbul. - A Russian journalist, Mingazirov, visits and is researching the possibility that St. Christopher, was baptized in Antioch. This is the first time I ever heard of that! October 18th Fr Domenico announced in a letter the end of his service in Antakya and his transfer to Yesilkoy (Istanbul) Peace and goodwill to all! On May 14th, 2022, having reached the age of 86, I tendered my resignation from service in the Catholic Church of Antioch and it was accepted. Today, 18th October, my replacement, Fr. Francis Dondu, has been told that he will have as assistant an Indian Capuchin, Fr. Royston. I was asked to continue offering my service in Turkey, at least until September 2023, in the Catholic Church of Yesilkoy (Istanbul). In early November, therefore, I will leave Antakya for the new post. I wish Fr. Francis the very best in his service to those who will attend our church After 35 years I leave part of my heart in this city, especially with the Christians whom I will always remember with great love and affection. I have tried to serve them and help them “grow” in the knowledge in the Lord. For any success I had we give thanks to the Lord and for when I failed to do the right thing I ask for forgiveness and understanding! I thank all those who helped and worked with me, especially the young people I "inherited" from Fr. Roberto; Sister Germana, Mariagrazia and especially Zeynep and family who for 27 years have never spared themselves so that everything was in order and hospitable. Grateful thanks also to architect Selahattin Altinözü and his team for making our church a place which is admired and appreciated by so many local and foreign visitors. On Sunday, October 30th, at 5 pm Mass, I will mark my 56 years of service to the Church in Turkey (Smyrna and Antioch), the 60th anniversary of my priesthood and I will say goodbye to the Christians of Antioch. Let us not grieve. Courage, we are all on our way to the Risen Lord in whom we believe and hope! Peace to all. Fr Domenico Bertogli October 22nd. Fr. Antuan Ilgit, new Vicar General of Mons Paolo Bizzeti and responsible for youth, comes to celebrate Sunday Mass and meet the parishioners of Antakya. October 24th. Abud and Tony Abdo, owners of the HATEX yarn factory in Hatay (700 employees), invite me and Fr. Francis to lunch to say goodbye to me. They also undertake to send my luggage to my destination for which once again grateful thanks! October 25th. All the dioceses of the world have been called by Pope Francis to undertake a diocesan journey to prepare for the great Synod of the Catholic Church to be held in 2023. This preparation has also begun in Turkey. The first stage was to listen to what the lay faithful have to say. In the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia this was done during the Easter season, but not exactly according to the instructions of the bishop. In the report that was held in Izmir with the other administrative areas of Turkey (Smyrna and Istanbul) the Neocatechumenal Way in Antioch was spoken of in a negative and incorrect way due to lack, I believe, of knowledge. Without wanting to be controversial, but out of honesty, I sent a letter to Msg Paolo Bizetti, Fr Antuan Ilgit, officials of the Apostolic Vicaruate of Anatolia, the Apostolic Nuncio in Turkey and to the Latin Bishops of Smyrna and Istanbul in which I explain the Neocatechumenal Way as used in my pastoral care in Antioch. Here it is: Some reflections of Fr. Domenico on: “An Assessment of the Results of the Synodal Path Meeting of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia by Fr. Antuan Ilgit SJ” Izmir October 9, 2022 I have read these individual assessments but this is, to say the least, very anomalous. Of all the churches in the Vicariate it is the only one mentioned specifically and in these terms: “In the context of relations between the clergy and the Christian community, it should be noted that in Antioch two conflicting points of view emerge regarding the Neocatechumenal Way. While those who follow this Way say that the church has become more alive thanks to the "Way" and the community is constantly shared with and involved in the wider parish, other members of the community – those who do not want to be part of this Way, affirm that this separate but internal entity divides the community "forming a parallel church" and find it meaningless that different rites are celebrated within the same community due to the distinction made between the neocatechumenal and the non-neocatechumenal. Undoubtedly we need to think about this issue together and constructively." In fact, until 18th October I was part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia and I was parish priest of the Catholic Church of Antioch for 35 years until 29th June 2022. There is talk of the Catholic Church of Antioch "with conflicting points" and of "a problem" to be solved, but no one has thought of questioning me, or at least asking me for an explanation, my pastoral care being called into question. So I would like to make some clarifications: 1. The community of the Catholic Church of Antioch is atypical and particular and everyone knows it. Of course, Catholics are part of it, but there fewer than 100 and even fewer, much fewer who attend regularly, especially amongst those who proclaim themselves "true Catholics" (Those who are from Catholic families). It is the Greek Orthodox who make up the vast majority. For example of the 8 young people who went to Iskenderun at the end of June for the youth meeting, there was only one Catholic girl and she is a Syrian refugee; and of the 26 converts (Book of Baptisms) several left Antioch to get married or to find work. At the Mass for the Neocatechumens on Saturday evening, out of 20-30 present only 4-6 are Catholics. As an example on October 22nd, out of 27 participants only 8 were Catholic and 6 of those were new converts. 2. The reality of the Catholic Church of Antioch is truly a special and "ecumenical" community admired and used as an example in the search for unity by Cardinals, bishops, priests and many pilgrims. 3. The Neocatechumenal Way has been used since 1988, with the full agreement of the Apostolic Vicar Msg Pierre Gauthie;, the regular Superior of the Capuchins of that time in Turkey Msg. Franceschini; myself, the parish priest of Iskenderun Fr. John and Fr. Robert. 4. This "itinerary of faith" as St. John Paul II called it is still encouraged by the Popes. I don't think anyone can be more Catholic than they are or that they would favour dangerous paths! You yourself, Msg Bizzeti, in the 90s encouraged me to continue and defended me against those who did not share those views! 5. The Church with the last Popes, starting with St. Paul VI, has given great importance to the search for Christian unity and, in my experience, this method has been very useful. Bringing Christians from other denominations together and accepting new converts is not easy and here in Antioch it happened without friction, while in other churches it has become a serious problem. 6. Now in the "Assessments" it is stated that in Antioch there are two "parallel churches": it is simply false! 7. The Neocatechumenal Way is a "school of faith", an "itinerary" to discover or deepen the Christian faith and to have an evangelical experience with various stages and various moments of verification to help young and adult participants to become men of adult faith (OICA chap. 4; EN 44; CCC 1231). It is the catechumenate of the primitive church renewed and advocated by the Second Vatican Council (SC 64). We are neocatechumens throughout the itinerary and then, having solemnly renewed our baptismal promises, we will learn to live as adult Christians always supported by ongoing education in the faith and by the Christian community. This Way, which begins with 15 basic catecheses and a final retreat (Convivence), is open to all. All are warmly invited to participate to experience what it is like to be a Christian. It is the announcement of the "Good News". In the end one is asked if one wants to continue with the commitment to participate: in the Word of God, once a week, in Mass on Saturday evening reserving space for sharing, and monthly in the sacrament of penance and a retreat day (convivence). Let us not forget that the community is essential for having and living a Christian experience which reveals to you, being with other brothers and sisters, your reality as a sinner incapable of loving the other without the help of the Lord. Naturally the group, which we call the community, remains closed, because outsiders would not understand and would be an obstacle to the advancement of the community. You don't start school from the third or fifth grade! They can wait and listen to the next catecheses which are generally given during Lent or Advent and then they will be able to start with a new community. In Antioch after so many years we have several catechists chosen by the community and approved by those in charge of the Way: the "itinerants", sent from Rome, who supervise and animate the progress of the various communities. It is an official Way of the Church (Statute, "Neocatechumenale Iter", final approval May 11th, 2008) entrusted to these catechists, but always in communion with the bishop and parish priest. 8. Now to speak of a parallel church is not true, because everyone, without exclusion, is invited and can participate in the normal Sunday Mass. “The Saturday evening Eucharists are part of the liturgical pastoral care of the parish…” (Statutes Art.13 §2) are instead reserved for those who make this itinerary in order to be able to speak, in the light of the Word of God, about their own life with confidentiality. Outsiders would not understand and would be a serious obstacle to serious and personal sharing of the life of the community itself. 9. However, many who are part of the Way also participate in Sunday Mass. The main holy days are celebrated with all Christians even if sometimes those who are not part of the community find it too long and "boring". It is normal because they are not catechized. 10. Furthermore, charisms are born in the communities, for example three priests have already come from the communities of Istanbul and now there are 2 seminarians, because there are large families. In Antioch it is more difficult because the vast majority are Greek Orthodox and even their priests are very worried about vocations. It could create serious difficulties for ecumenism. 11. In the "Assessments" the situation of the church of the Vicariate is described as good above all due to the lack of serious itineraries for the numerous requests of Muslims who ask to become Christians. Everything is left to the initiative of individual parish priests, many of whom have difficulty. That is, a common itinerary is missing, but above all continuity after Baptism. A child, for example, needs to be nurtured and cared for after birth to help it grow. Sunday Mass is not enough. Knowledge of Scripture is indispensable (St. Jerome reminds us: "ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ") , of Faith (Creed) and of Christian life (Sacraments, Prayer, Rosary, etc.) 12. This was done in Antioch, both for those already Christian and for those seeking to become Christian, working to make the Lord known and to help them live as "children of God" and not just with the label of Christian! I recognize that there are limits and shortcomings in the neocatechumens as in each of us, because "converting, believing in the Gospel and living as an adult Christian" is difficult. I live that every day and I believe that everyone can testify to it. 13. For me the Neocatechumenal Way was fundamental to my rediscovering my vocation and to living the Christian life. I am sure that without it I would no longer be, and would not have been for a long time, a Capuchin or a priest. This is how I describe it in my MEMOIRES on p.227: “For the knowledge of the Christian faith, that is my faith, the Neocatechumenal Way had an important, if not decisive role. I had studied theology before being ordained a priest, then I continued at the Gregorian University. In addition, I had deepened this knowledge in Paris with the study of the history and theology of religions, but they "had not given me the faith" as an existential experience with Jesus Christ. I had an enormous amount of knowledge, but I had not entered into the "mystery of God" of the "Incarnation" and "Salvation". The Bible itself was an interesting but dry book. Reading St. Paul I felt he was from another world and, I would say, incomprehensible. I tried to observe the Gospel in following of St. Francis, but always in a legal dimension. In front of the "Cross" I asked myself what meaning it could have, questioning the very existence of God. That is, I had a "legalistic" faith, founded on laws and traditions that indicated how to act in order to have eternal life. Then doing good was fundamental, but always within certain limits. Yet the Gospel even invited to love one's enemies! I could go on. The Way gave me the coordinates to enter the mystery of the "History of Salvation" and to discover the role of the Lord in Christian life as an experience that is had with "Someone". The word Way itself means Path with gradual moments of growth through homilies, passages (verifications) and meetings, but always in community liturgies. Discovering the meaning of "sinner", as a personal reality from which only Jesus can pull you out, was fundamental. It was, in short, the discovery of the Kerygma, lived with other brothers. In Biblical language I could call it the Exodus of my existence! I hope to continue until I die…” I apologize if I have upset anyone, but I felt it necessary to clarify.. A warm farewell to all and best wishes for the good work to grow this little Church of Anatolia that I will always love and which will always be. present in my prayers. To all: Peace and Goodwill! p. Dominic Bertogli Ex-priest emeritus after 35 years of the Catholic Church of Antioch Antakya, 23 October 2022 Mission day” I received this reply from Fr Antuan Dear Fr Domenico, Thank you for your email. I read it carefully but also with a little surprise. Just the day before yesterday, on the day in which you wrote your reflections on my speech in Izmir, I was in Antakya and I had had a pleasant chat with you, and on that occasion you had didn’t mention anything about this. Surely if you had given me a hint, I could have dealt with all your concerns. I'm not going to write a long answer here. As you already know, next Sunday I will be back in Antakya to greet you and thank you for your invaluable service over the years. On that occasion we can talk about it and if necessary I could also stay to learn more. However, here I would like to reiterate this: one of the particular aspects of the Synod is that of listening. As a Church, we all personally and as a community listen to the Holy Spirit, and then, we pastoral workers called to serve the people entrusted to our care, listen to what God's people tell us. The people of God can praise us on many points but can also criticize us and ask us to improve. As we welcome praise, we should also welcome criticism so that we can improve our work more and more. That said, the synodal meetings at the Vicariate level were not led by me, but by Fr. Francis Dondu who had been appointed by our Bishop. I received the various minutes, I read them with due attention and at the Bishop's request I put them together in a single document without removing or adding anything. This document drawn up by me in Turkish was to be shared with all the members of the Vicariate at the end of the Synodal journey. In Izmir, on the other hand, I had to make a brief summary reporting some emerging points. In fact the paragraph on the Neo-catechumenal Way is not an attack on anyone it merely highlights two different positions that emerged from the minutes. I do not interpret them in my speech, I only highlight them. My only comment is the final sentence which invites "us" pastoral workers to reflect on it together and in a "constructive" way. On the other hand, if you read my synthesis carefully and completely, you would clearly see that there are other critical points on various aspects of our Vicariate. I have reported, with fidelity to the minutes, the points of praise as well as those of criticism, also because I firmly believe in the Holy Spirit who guides the whole Church and I try to find God also in the voice of the people of God. The minutes of each synodal meeting are saved and scanned. So if even the Bishop, who is now reading a copy, agrees, I can easily show them to you too. Criticism certainly hurts us dear Father Domenico but you will know better than me, the truth always makes us free and is liberating. If we want what we have built to be lasting and fruitful, we should welcome criticism as a gift and not as an unjust attack. To embellish my synthesis and to present a perfect Vicariate, I could have omitted the critical points, but such a way of proceeding would have betrayed the Spirit of the Synod. I remain at your disposal for further clarifications. I entrust myself to your prayers and I assure you of mine. With affection, esteem and gratitude as ever. PS. Since you want to share your reflections with all pastoral workers, please include my answer as well. P. Antuan Ilgit S.J. Vicar General and Chancellor of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia October 26th. Several groups of pilgrims have arrived in recent days: one German, one Mexican, a Turkish-Christian one (Alpha Course) and a Turkish-Italian group from Istanbul. October 29th. The 99th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic. The prefecture provides refreshments in its garden. I am among the guests and I take the opportunity to say goodbye to the Antakyan city authorities, the Prefect and all the others I know. October 30th. Abuna Bulos, an Antiochian ordained a priest a month ago in Damascus, celebrates his first mass in the Orthodox Church. He will be in charge of the Orthodox Churches of Southern Turkey. He is a monk and therefore is a candidate for an ecclesiastical career: archimandrite, bishop and even patriarch. - In the afternoon, Fr. Domenico leaves the community of Antioch after 35 years of uninterrupted service. Truly a beautiful experience that I will never forget and I will never stop thanking the Lord because it is He who acted through my limits and weaknesses. I was surprised by the affection of the whole community: more than a party, it seemed like a funeral full of signs of gratitude with speeches, gifts and a rich reception prepared by all and headed by the Vakif (foundation) of the Catholic Church of Antioch. It's less sad to be leaving with feelings of sorrow rather than of feelings of liberation! The celebration was attended by Frs. Francis and Roystone, Fr Marius from Mersin, the Vicar General Fr Antuan who read a message from Msg Paolo Bizzeti who is currently abroad, the Orthodox abuna and the Protestant pastor and many people including non-Christians, including our architect (with his wife and brother) creator of the inimitable restorations of our buildings. I thank everyone again. I am very moved. They will always be present in my heart and in my prayers! Here are some photos. October 31st. Farewell to the first Neocatechumenal community of Antioch Some of us started together in1988 and we were still together at the end of this journey! They were all young, now they are mature with families and children. November 2nd. COPPO, the information sheet of the Capuchins of Emilia Romagna, announces the transfer of Fr. Domenico to Istanbul with these words: Antioch: infinite thanks to Fr. Dominic…reporting the letter sent on October 18 to the parishioners. November 7th. Last days in Antioch. This evening a group of Italian pilgrims (35) from the Opera Romana pilgrimages with journalists from Avvenire, Osservatore Romana, ANSA, TV2000 and Vatican Radio. Tomorrow, November 8, the group of the Cardinal of Bologna Matteo Maria Zuppi (27) will come. Among them an old friend: Don Franco Govi parish priest of Bazzano. November 8th. Last day in Antioch. Our superior Fr Pawell came to hand over Frs Francis and Royston, then the whole staff of the Orthodox Church arrives with the head of the Jewish community, Saul, for a last farewell November 9th. Last mass in Antioch, then at the airport for the flight to Istanbul. Goodbye Antioch! November 10th. Some newspapers in Antioch speak of the transfer of Fr. Domenico to Yesilkoy (Istanbul). The director of FIDES, Gianni Valente, writes a long article. ASIA/TURKEY - Farewell Antioch. Father Bertogli leaves his “Domus Ecclesiae” after 35 years of mission by Gianni Valente Antakya (Agenzia Fides) - For the 86-year-old Italian Capuchin Father Domenico Bertogli, who comes from Modena, the time has come to say goodbye. At the beginning of November he left his parish of St. Peter and Paul in Antakya, the old Antioch on the Orontes, which he had founded and led with apostolic passion on the model of the "Domus Ecclesiae" of the first Christians. Even on his last day there, he was surrounded by Christians and Muslims, residents of the Turkish city and pilgrims who had come from far away, lifelong friends and people he had just met. Father Domenico had already resigned from his position as parish priest last May "for reasons of age". Since then he has remained in Turkey and assisted in the pastoral work of St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Yeşilköy, 20 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. At the end of October, on the occasion of his 60th anniversary as a priest, he celebrated a Mass to commemorate his 56 years of missionary activity in Turkey (he was in Izmir before Antioch). In this mass and also in a letter he had written a few days earlier, he said goodbye to the Christians in Antioch with words full of hope and sober emotion. He assured everyone that his heart remained in this city where for so many years he had tried to put himself at the service of baptized Christians on their journey of faith. "For everything I succeeded in doing" wrote Father Domenico "we thank the Lord. For everything I did not do well, I ask for forgiveness and understanding".In the letter, Father Bertogli also thanked his closest collaborators one by one ("Let us not be sad. Have courage, we are all on the way to the risen Lord"). "In my life", Father Domenico added in an interview with Fides, "I have always chosen the path of obedience and have stayed in the places and in the situations to which I was sent. This is what I was able to put into practice, and I am confident that things will continue because it is the Lord who works in our obedience". The mission of Domenico Bertogli (and the entire recent missionary adventure of the Capuchins of Emilia-Romagna in Anatolia) was blessed by facts and encounters that are gratefully preserved in the memory of the local Christian communities. A memory already charged with the suggestions that for two thousand years have surrounded places and events linked to the first apostolic proclamation for every Christian soul. Father Domenico, who arrived in Antakya at the end of the 1980s, already then began to restore two old ruined houses of the ancient Jewish quarter, where the city's first Christians probably lived. After completing the work, he had the Turkish inscription Türk Katolik Kilisesi (Turkish Catholic Church) carved on the stone above the entrance to show everyone that even in modern Turkey, Christianity is not a foreign faith. The Alawite Muslim architect Selahattin Altinözü renovated the church and attached house, adopting the oriental style of the old Antiochene residences: arcades and columns, ornate windows and stone fountains, and ogival terraces. Thus, over the years, Father Domenico's Domus ecclesiae has also become a city attraction, a must-stop for pilgrim groups or individual travellers. Even Muslim and Jewish family clans in the city have often asked to celebrate their festivals in the courtyard of the house under fragrant orange and grapefruit trees. Above all, a web of Christian life has developed around the Church, blessed also by the gift of ecumenical unity among those who bear the name of Christ. In Antioch, Father Domenico and the priests of the Greek Orthodox Church have always celebrated joys and sorrows, celebrated festivals and endured difficult times together. In recent years, inspired by the experience of the Neocatechumenal Way, Orthodox Christians have also participated in catechesis in the parish. And since 1988, with the special permission of the Holy See, the Catholics of Antioch have been celebrating Easter ad experimentum on the day established in the Orthodox calendar. So the disparities in Easter celebrations, which are the most obvious and painful sign of Christian disunity throughout the Middle East, are tentatively resolved in this city. For decades, Father Domenico reported on the everyday life of a group of Christian brothers and sisters in the Chronicles of Antioch, a kind of diary of the community that has been published month after month in recent years and sent every year to friends scattered all over the world take life as it comes. In Antioch on the Orontes, the apostle Peter had already arrived after the death and resurrection of Christ and stayed there for a long time. For this reason the city was Sedes Petri before Rome. In the Letter to the Galatians, where Paul tells of the discussion he had precisely with Peter on a question that arose precisely in Antioch. Peter, at first was cordial with the pagans of the city who had become Christians, then began to avoid them, out of awe of Christians of Jewish origin who considered the observance of the Mosaic law as an indispensable requirement for the salvation promised by Christ. Then the matter was discussed in Jerusalem by the apostles and elders gathered in the first council. The apostolic letter that came out was sent primarily to the community of Antioch, to remind that the newly baptized pagans should not be imposed "any other obligation apart from these necessary things: abstain from meat offered to idols, from blood, from animals suffocated and by shamelessness". Father Domenico experienced and testified on the long journey that he covered with his friends in Antioch, again and again the same attractive freedom that touched the hearts of Peter and Paul. The happiness of being part of a story where you can ask the Lord for anything without having to make sacrifices. (Agenzia Fides, 10/11/2022) Souvenir tag given to me by the Community of the Catholic Church of Antioch. It wright: ”Fr. Domenico Valentino Bertogli. For 60 years of service (Mass), 35 of which between us we thank. We are grateful for what you have sown in our hearts with love and humility. ' I am among you until the end of the world. Matthew 28:20'". This is the very last Antioch Newsflash offered to you by Fr. Domenico Bertogli. On October 18th, a new parish priest, head of the Catholic Church in Antioch was appointed. Fr. Domenico left the city on 9th November and will assist in the church of S. Stefano in Yesilkoy (Istanbul) for at least a year. These are the final events. I also offer my best wishes for fruitful work to the new leaders and to local Christians encouragement to continue the millenary history of Antioch "Mother of all Churches".