RECOGNIZING THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF SAINT EPHRAIM'S SYRIAC ORTHODOX CHURCH IN CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND; Congressional Record Vol. 159, No. 167

<!-- -->

RECOGNIZING THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF SAINT EPHRAIM'S SYRIAC

ORTHODOX CHURCH IN CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND

\\\_\\\_\\\_\\\_\\\_\\\_

HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

of rhode island

in the house of representatives

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the centennial

celebration of Saint Ephraim's Syriac Orthodox Church in Central Falls,

Rhode Island.

In the late 19th century, a small, close-knit group of Syriac

families living in Turkey and Iraq arrived in America after fleeing the

collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

After coming to Rhode Island, this small faith community chartered

Saint Ephraim's Syriac Orthodox Church--a parish center and chapel for

worship that have remained strong symbols of the strength of Rhode

Island's Syriac Orthodox residents.

The church claims a wealth of theological, liturgical, and musical

traditions. Indeed, to this day, every Sunday the parishioners in

Central Falls, Rhode Island conduct liturgy in the original Aramaic

that was spoken during the time of Jesus Christ.

The parish of St. Ephraim's has contributed mightily to our

community in northern Rhode Island. Whether newly arrived immigrants

fleeing persecution or just yearning to live the American dream, or

multi-generational and fully assimilated Americans, parishioners of St.

Ephraim's church are patriotic Americans.

Like anyone else, they work hard, value education and appreciate and

enjoy the freedoms they are offered.

In return, they have been industrious citizens and have served our

country in numerous positions of distinction, including university

educators, engineers, leaders in law, medicine, and commerce.

Many have also served in the Armed Forces, dating back to the early

20th Century, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice for the defense

of our country.

Today, as we celebrate the centennial anniversary of Saint

Ephraim's, we are also mindful of the ongoing persecution facing

Christian Syriac families in the Middle East and especially in Syria

where two Orthodox bishops were abducted earlier this year.

And as we hope for the safe return of these and other victims of

recent violence, all of us stand united in praying for peace in Syria

and throughout the Middle East.

I thank Father Mattias Alan Shaltan for his continued leadership of

this parish and salute all the members of Saint Ephraim's on their

centennial celebration this year.

&nbsp;