BY THE GRACE OF GOD

IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST, SUPREME HEAD OF THE UNIVERSAL SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

No. E260/05

September 16, 2005

Inquiring your welfare, we inform you the following. It has come to our attention that some of our beloved Clergy are not wearing their canonically approved vestments and that they are dressing according to their own wishes. The official vestments of our Clergy are part of the discipline of our Holy Church. Therefore, we hereby direct all our Corepiscopos to wear the black cassock with a traditional violet zoonoro (belt) made of cloth only and their Marthoothos (outer cloak) be of black cloth with violet lining. And, further, all our Corepiscopos and Priests, including those Priests who have been permitted to wear a pectoral cross and chain, shall compulsorily wear the Hamneekho (stole) while they hear Confession, read the Holy Gospel and while attending to the Holy Sacraments.

We extend our Apostolic Blessings to you. May the grace of God be with you all.

Our Father Who art in heaven, ...