Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – On Saturday, February 15, 2025 His Eminence Archbishop Petros – Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Archdiocese of New York & Its Surrounding Regions and member of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCh) – hosted the annual Philadelphia Regional Oriental Orthodox Concelebrated Liturgy at Debre Genet Kidus Ammanuel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. His Eminence was joined at the altar by His Grace Bishop Karas, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Pennsylvania and Its Affiliated Territories; His Eminence Archbishop Mor Silvanos Ayub, Archbishop of the Knanaya Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church; His Grace Bishop Sinoda, Bishop of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Diocese of North America, the V. Rev. Philipose Corepiscopos representing His Eminence Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and V. Rev. Fr. Armash Bagdasarian representing His Grace Bishop Mesrop of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, as well as dozens of priests and deacons and hundreds of faithful representing each of the Oriental Orthodox jurisdictions.
The Oriental Orthodox faithful of Philadelphia have gathered to celebrate the Divine Liturgy together on an annual basis since 2012 (excepting a brief interlude during the COVID-19 Pandemic), but this year’s gathering carried a special significance as it was the first time that the service was led by a number of hierarchs since the very first Oriental Orthodox Liturgy ever prayed on North American soil was led by the founders of SCOOCh, His Eminence Archbishop Mor Yeshue Samuel of the Syriac Church and His Eminence Archbishop Torkom Manoogian of the Armenian Church, in the same city in 1976.
After the Liturgy, the four hierarchs convened for a brief meeting before joining the faithful for mezmurs, speeches, and a delicious meal of traditional Ethiopian fare. The Liturgy was streamed live by the Coptic Orthodox Christian Youth Channel (CYC) and Mahibere Kidusan TV. Photos appear courtesy of Mr. Dimitry Faltas.