Archbishop Hosam Naoum administers the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Andrew’s Church in Ramallah.

Jerusalem – The Media Office – The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem 22/5/ 2022

Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, presided over the Eucharist on the sixth Sunday of Easter, at St. Andrew’s Church in Ramallah, assisted by Rev’d Fadi Diab, the rector of the parish, and Rev’d Canon Don Binder, the Archbishop’s Chaplain, in the presence of a congregation of parishioners, and vestry members, on Sunday May 22, 2022. After the sermon, Bishop Naoum administered the Sacrament of Confirmation by the Laying of Hands and anointing the confimands with Chrism Oil, which was consecrated in the Chrism service on Maundy Thursday.

Bishop Naoum engaged with the confirmands n his sermon, emphasizing three points; 1 the commandment of love, and Loving God and our Neighbors, 2 the Word of God, which we need to know, remember , and live by, 3 the Holy Spirit that teaches us and reminds us of everything we need to know. He highlighted the third point saying: “today, during the confirmation ceremony, we invoke the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the Advocate, so that God might pour God’s mercies upon you, and confirm you in the faith.” At the end, he thanked Rev’d Diab, the rector of the parish, for preparing the confirmands for confirmation.

A group of the confirmads read the prayers of the people, and the readings in the service.

Bishop Naoum also prayed upon and blessed the new vestry members, after they were presented by the chair of the vestry Rev’d Diab, who also welcomed Bishop Naoum and his family and all who were present.