His Beatitude Cardinal Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, began his pastoral visit to Cana of Galilee on Thursday, February 6, 2025, which lasted until Sunday, February 9, 2025.

Every pastoral visit carries its own unique character. His Beatitude considers these visits an essential part of his pastoral mission. On numerous occasions, he has emphasized the importance of personally meeting and listening to the people he serves, as it allows him to better understand their daily lives—something that cannot be fully grasped from a distance.

Day One – A Warm Welcome Reflecting Fraternal Love

The faithful gathered in front of the Church of the first miracle in Cana to welcome His Beatitude in a grand reception accompanied by the music of the Latin Scout of Reneh and the Orthodox Scout of Cana. Among the dignitaries receiving his beatitude were Msgr. Rafic Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar of Galilee, and Fr. Haitham Heno, the current Franciscan parish priest of Cana, alongside priests from various churches of the city, as well as the town's imam, Sheikh, and mayor. The scene was a true reflection of the spirit of love and fraternity uniting the local community of Cana.

An invitation from the meeting “Byblos, the Capital of Dialogue and Coexistence” on the occasion of the Christian-Islamic National Day of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.

Balamand, February 9, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, celebrated the Divine Liturgy (Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican) at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery, with the participation of Metropolitan Saba (Esber) of New York and all North America, Patriarchal Assistant Bishop Moussa (Al-Khasi), Archimandrite George Yaacoub, Abbot of the Monastery, Archimandrite Yaacoub Khalil, Dean of the Institute of Saint John of Damascus, a group of Priests, Deacons, the Balamand family, and a crowd of faithful.

During the Divine Liturgy, and with the blessing of His Beatitude, Deacon Paul from the Archdiocese of North America was ordained to the priesthood. The latter will establish a monastery in the Archdiocese.

His Holiness Pope Francis releases a message to mark the 11th International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, and praises the work of those combating the scourge of modern slavery.

By Devin Watkins

Ahead of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, Pope Francis is urging Catholics and all people of goodwill to do their part to combat the exploitation of vulnerable people.

In his message released on Friday, the Pope noted that the Day takes place on February 8, the liturgical memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese woman who fell victim to human trafficking as a child and then later became a nun.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, calls on President Trump to press for Azerbaijan’s release of Armenian hostages and the right Artsakh Armenians to return to their indigenous homeland.

On February 6, 2025, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I sent a letter to newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump, congratulating him on his return to the White House and urging him to take immediate action on pressing issues affecting the Armenian people, including the illegal detention of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan.

His Holiness Pope Francis meets with young priests and monks of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and urges Christians to express our common faith in respect and fraternal love.

By Devin Watkins

“The proclamation of our common faith requires before all else that we love one another.”

His Holiness Pope Francis offered that reminder on Thursday as he met with a delegation of Orthodox clergy taking part in a study visit to Rome.

Promoted by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, the fifth Study Visit brought together priests and monks from the Armenian, Coptic, Ehiopian, Eritrean, Malankara, and Syrian Oriental Orthodox Churches.

On February 5, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, met in Washington D.C. the President and members of the US Committee for International Religious Freedom.

The account of the vocation of the first disciples in the Gospel of Luke is interwoven with the story of the miraculous fishing (Luke 5:1-11). 

In Mark and Matthew, too, we see that Peter and his companions, when Jesus calls them, lay down their nets and boats after a night of fishing. But only Luke tells us that this fishing was unsuccessful and that Jesus asks them to fish again, to try once more. Only Luke tells us that this second fishing, which takes place in the sunlight, fills the nets with fish (Luke 5:5-7). 

He does not just fill the nets with fish. He also fills Peter with awe and all those present with awe (Luke 5:9-10).  

The President of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, and and the Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Reverend Joseph Kassab, stated in a statement his congratulations to the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, on his designation to lead the country during this pivotal stage in Syria’s history, after the darkness of oppression has lifted and a new dawn has begun to rise over the nation.

With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, the extreme unction and funeral service for the departed Father Anania Koudjanian was held on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025. Fr. Anania tragically fell victim to a violent crime on the morning of February 1st in Lebanon.

On February 4, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, opened the Plenary Session titled “What We’re Facing”, at the International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington D.C. with a prayer. He then delivered the keynote speech where he spoke about the various challenges facing religious freedom throughout the world.

“Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram's horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year, but it takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year. We can find an early indication of it in the Bible: a Jubilee year was to be marked every 50 years, since this would be an “extra” year, one which would happen every seven weeks of seven years, i.e., every 49 years (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13). Even though it wasn’t easy to organise, it was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.

during which it discussed the affairs of its Churches, as well as the recent changes in both Syria and Lebanon

The General Assembly of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Church in Syria and Lebanon held its annual meeting on Friday, January 31, 2025, at its headquarters in Rabieh, during which it discussed the affairs of its Churches, as well as the recent changes in both Syria and Lebanon.

After the opening Worship Service, a speech was delivered by the head of the Supreme Council, Reverend Joseph Kassab, and Executive Committee Member of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in which he spoke about the situation of the Evangelical churches in both countries, noting that God's time is different from human times, and he invited participants to live between these two times, distinguishing God's work and hand in our lives, especially in the face of difficulties.

Damascus, January 31, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, and His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Absi, Patriarch of the Greek Catholic Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, sent a joint telegram of congratulation to President Ahmad Al-Shara. The telegram reads:

"Mister Ahmad Al-Shara, President of the Syrian Arab Republic,

Cilicia TV of the Catholicosate of Cilicia inquired about His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, perspective on the recent comments made by the Armenian Prime Minister regarding the Armenian Genocide.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed annually during the second week of January. In 2025, the opening ceremony took place on the evening of Saturday, January 18th, with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, accompanied by HE Arch. Shahe Sarkissian and clergy from the Armenian Church. The event was held at the invitation of Mor Ignatius Ephrem Joseph III Younan, the Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, at the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate in Beirut, Lebanon.

On February 2nd, 2025, on the occasion of the feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma - Damascus.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Wednesday, 16/29 January 2025, His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), along with the Elder Archbishop of Constantine, Aristarchos, and Archdeacon Mark, travelled by air to Tirana, to take part in the funeral service of the blessed Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, and to honour his extensive, multifaceted, and exemplary pastoral work, which was filled with holiness and wisdom.

On Wednesday evening, the eve of the Funeral Service, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos, along with His Beatitude the Archbishop George of Cyprus, held a Trisagion at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana for the repose of the blessed Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana.

On Saturday and Sunday, February 1st and 2nd, 2025, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the Liturgical Celebrations of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord at the temple and the Day of Consecrated Life.

The Liturgical Celebrations began on Saturday evening at St. Catherine’s Church in Bethlehem, where His Beatitude led the solemn First Vespers in preparation for this Feast, which reminds us of the light that has shone upon the world. Several Bishops participated in the Prayer, along with Fr. Rami Asakrieh, Parish Priest of Bethlehem, as well as various religious orders and lay apostolic movements dedicated to serving the Church of Jerusalem.