Christians from the surrounding provinces, as well as the districts of Altınözü, Samandağ and İskenderun of Hatay, attended the mass which started at 9.30 a.m. local time.

Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio to Turkey, Marek Solczyński, also attended the ceremony led by Bishop Konstantin Kayyel, the Archpriest of the Lebanese St. Elias Monastery, representing the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.

After the mass, candles were lit and hymns were sung.

Stating that Saints Peter and Paul are two very important saints for Antakya, Fadi Hurigil, President of the Antakya Greek Orthodox Church Foundation, said, “Antakya is an important city for Christians. St. Peter is the founder of the Patriarchate of Antioch. St. Pierre Cave Church is the first church in the world where the Christian name was used for the first time. For this reason, a commemoration ceremony of St. Peter and Paul is held in Antakya every year, but every ritual and worship held this year has a greater meaning.”