Archbishop Mor Julius Yeshu` Çiçek, who passed away on October 29, 2005 at the age of 63 is acknowledged as one of the greatest shepherds of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church. Since his consecration as the First Metropolitan of Central Europe in 1979, His Eminence had oversaw the establishment of a number of Churches and Monasteries in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, England and France. In the 1970s when Christians found it impossible to continue in their ancient homeland in South East Turkey and emigrated to Europe. It was Mor Yulius Çiçek who shepherded the community in Europe. During the twenty-six years of his Archbishopric, the Church in Europe achieved remarkable growth.

His Eminence was only 63 when he entered into heavenly abode on October 29, 2005 in Germany. The late Archbishop was later brought to the monastery of St. Ephrem the Syrian in the Dutch town of Glan, near the German Border. and was kept there for
public homage.
Over 15 thousands of faithful visited the monastery to bid farewell to their beloved prelate. The last rites of the late Archbishop was held on Saturday, Nov 5, 2005. The funeral service was led by His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I, the Patriarch of Antioch and the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church.

The mortal remains of the late Archbishop was entombed in the mausoleum below the sanctuary of the Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Glane, Netherlands.

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