JORDAN – On Sunday, June 15, 2025, the parish of St. George the Martyr in Irbid celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with a festive Mass presided over by Msgr. Iyad Twal, Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan.
Msgr. Twal was warmly welcomed at the church entrance by the parish youth, pastoral council, and parishioners. The entire congregation united in singing the hymn “Te Deum Laudamus” in joyful celebration of the bishop’s presence and the 75th anniversary of the parish’s founding.
At the beginning of the celebration, Fr. Firas Aridah, parish priest of St. George the Martyr Parish in Irbid, solemnly read a special Apostolic Blessing granted by His Holiness Pope Francis to him and to the parish community on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee. The blessing, issued from the Vatican on February 28, 2025, and conveyed on behalf of the Holy Father by Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, reads as follows:
| “His Holiness Pope Francis cordially imparts his heartfelt blessing to Fr. Firas Aridah and all the members of St. George the Martyr Parish in Irbid on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of its founding. The Holy Father prays that this celebration may be a time of spiritual renewal and a renewed zeal to live the Gospel and serve our brothers and sisters. He entrusts all members of the parish to the loving intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.” |
Fr. Firas warmly welcomed the clergy, religious sisters, and parishioners in attendance, and in his addressed he reflected on the meaning of the Jubilee and the journey of the parish throughout the years:
"Today, as we commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of our parish, we gather in gratitude to offer thanks to God. This milestone invites us to return to our roots, to rekindle the fervor of our beginnings, to reflect on our present path, and to look forward with hope—attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We give thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love, His faithfulness, and His abiding presence in our lives. We remember with gratitude all those who have been baptized, married, served, supported, or prayed within the walls of this parish. Since the start of 2022, we have labored with dedication to renew and restore our church. With the generous support of the Patriarchate and our parishioners, we have undertaken renovations that include upgrades to electricity and lighting, a new altar, the wooden partition, the sacristy, the youth hall, and the garden dedicated to our founding priest, Fr. George Akasha. Above all, we thank the Lord for calling us—despite our human frailty—to serve His Church and to share in His saving mission.”
The celebration concluded with a spirit of deep gratitude and renewed commitment, as the faithful of St. George Parish looked not only to the legacy of the past 75 years but also to the future with hope and faith. Rooted in the enduring witness of generations before them, the community now continues its mission—strengthened by the blessing of the Holy Father and united in the love of Christ—to build a living Church that serves, welcomes, and proclaims the Gospel in the heart of Irbid.
