It is a unique visit, as the Syriac Orthodox Church has a long history behind it.
Roots in Antioch
The head of the Syriac Orthodox Church is also known as the Patriarch of Antioch, and it is claimed that the current bishop is a successor to St. Peter, who was the first bishop of Antioch.
While St. Peter is widely known as the first bishop of Rome, the “prince of the apostles” started out his ministry in the “Rome of the East,” the ancient city of Antioch.
The Roman Empire at the time of Christ hailed Antioch as the new capital of the East over that of Alexandria. It became a pivotal city, one favored by the emperors of Rome and a vital part of the Empire.
It also became an important city for Christians in the first few decades after Jesus’s death. Antioch became the home to many Jewish Christians who fled Jerusalem after St. Stephen was stoned to death. For this and other reasons it made perfect sense for Peter to minister to the spiritual needs of these early Christians.
St. Evodius succeeded St. Peter and after him, St. Ignatius of Antioch was appointed the 3rd bishop of Antioch.
The Church in Antioch was united to Rome until a schism occurred after the Council at Chalcedon in the 5th century. After this time, the Church was labeled "Monophysite" or "Jacobite," due to a heretical view on the nature of Christ.
Since then the Syriac Orthodox Church has kept essentially the same liturgy and the Patriarch of Antioch is now located in Lebanon.