Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim Suffers Stroke

Please pray for Patriarch Ignatius!

From the Daily Star, here:

Patriarch Hazim in hospital after stroke

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Greek Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim, 91, was admitted to a hospital in Ashrafieh Tuesday after suffering a stroke, sources at the hospital told The Daily Star.

The sources added that Hazim, who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit of Al-Roum hospital, is in critical condition.

Born in the village of Mhardey near Hama in Syria, Hazim was the son of a pious Arab Orthodox family and was attracted to Church service from an early age.

Other news reports mention that the Patriarch had been transported from Damascus to Beirut (at least a 2-hour trip) for treatment following the stroke, which is worrying.

UPDATE, from the Arabic here:

 St George's Hospital in Beirut just announced, "Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim is suffering from a stroke that affects his consciousness and his ability to move. He is in a stable condition and is undergoing intensive treatment in the hospital's intensive care unit. He is being treated by a team of specialists from St George's Hospital."

The office stated that a number of political officials have visited him in the hospital to check on him, the most prominent of which are: Minister of Health Ali Hassan Khalil, deputy Atef Majdalani, former ministers Ibrahim Najjar, Michel Eddé, Bechara Merhej, and Elie Salem, chairman of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea, and Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Elias Audi.

Other visitors included: Adib Forzoli, Anis Nassar, Mazen Abboud, Alfred Aramouni, Nicholas Tueini, Dr Michel Najjar, Dr Camille Nassar, and Brigadier General Walim Majali.

Likewise, the following bishops got in contact: Paul Yazigi, Youhanna Yazigi, Antoun Shadrawi, Joseph Zahlaoui, and Alexander Mufarrij.