The Promise and Crossing Ceremony at the Cathedral of Mor Aphrem the Syriac in Aleppo

On Sunday, May 16, 2021, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II met with the participants of the first Syrian Syriac Scout gathering. The event, hosted by the Mor Ephrem Syriac Monastery in Maarat Saidnaya, was organized under the patronage of the Patriarchal Vicariate for Youth Affairs and Christian Formation. The Syrian Syriac Scouts welcomed His Holiness and the accompanying delegation with a traditional scouting salute. Scout leaders provided a brief overview of their activities during the gathering, highlighting their efforts to create a unified musical curriculum for Syriac scouts, as well as work toward standardizing other aspects such as parades, performances, and various activities conducted during different events. The leaders also shared the outcomes of the gathering, expressing their hopes and seeking the Patriarch's blessing. His Holiness blessed the attendees and asked them to convey his blessings to all members of the scout troops across the various dioceses. He encouraged them to continue serving with an open-hearted scouting spirit that values giving to the community. His Holiness also reaffirmed the Patriarchate's ongoing support for the Syriac Scouts in Syria, helping them achieve their goals. At the end of the gathering, His Holiness distributed certificates to the participants, including special certificates for scout experts, musicians, and troop leaders. He also presented a commemorative token to the scout group and a thank-you card to the organizing committee and service team. This event marked a significant step in fostering unity and collaboration within the Syriac scouting movement in Syria, under the blessings and guidance of His Holiness.

In 2023, Aleppo City hosted an extraordinary musical gathering to celebrate the installation of His Eminence Mor Boutros Kassis as the Archbishop of Aleppo and its environs. The event commenced with a unique musical performance to welcome the arrival of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II to the city. The Joint brass band traversed the streets of Aleppo, presenting diverse repertoires of music. About 100 musicians from the Syrian Syriac Scout troops participated in this occasion, especially members from Mor Afram in Sadad, Mor Elian in Al-Fahilah, Mor Afram in Al-Adwiya in Homs, Mor Georges in the Armenian Quarter in Homs, along with scouts from Mar Afram's 5th and 6th troops in Aleppo.

The second conference of the Syrian Syriac Scout was held at the Patriarchate of Mar George for the Syriac Orthodox in Damascus. It was blessed by the attendance of His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, along with the esteemed Archbishops: Archbishop Boutros Kassis, the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo and its environs; Archbishop Andraos Bahi, the Patriarchal Deputy for Youth and Christian Education Affairs; Archbishop Youssef Bali, the Patriarchal Assistant; and Father Okin Khoury, the Patriarchal Secretary. The secound day of the event commenced with a prayer and a paternal spiritual speech from His Holiness, followed by a brief overview of the Syrian Syriac Scout's activities and an introductory presentation of 8 out of 14 troops. This was followed by a session on the spiritual aspect of leadership, workshops, evaluation sessions, and continued work on the internal system of the Syrian Syriac Scout.