Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II sent a letter of condolence to the Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, expressing his sorrow on the passing of His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.

Karekin II offered the deepest sympathies on behalf of the Armenian Apostolic Church, her faithful, the Supreme Spiritual Council, and the clergy; to the clergy and to all Syrian Orthodox Christians in Syria and the dispersion.

“The Syrian Orthodox Church has lost a ‘good shepherd,’ who fulfilled the mission of the Holy Church of Christ with deep and loving devotion over the last thirty four years. With great zeal and wisdom, His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I of blessed memory shepherded the Syrian Orthodox Church especially during the current challenging period of political upheaval in the Middle East.

“Thanks to the late Patriarch's efforts, monastic life experienced renewal and a blossoming, and the Syrian Church made significant contributions to the inter-church and inter-religious dialogues, as well as to the promotion of solidarity and peace in the world.

“The fraternal and warm relations between our Churches were manifested during the various official visits and encounters, which we witnessed during the pontificates of our predecessors of blessed memory as well as in our own time through our personal meetings,” the Armenian Catholicos’ letter of condolence reads.