NEWS
The Feast of Saint John the new Hozevite Ascetic at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On Thursday, July 28/ August 10, 2023, the Patriarchate celebrated the commemoration of our Holy Father John the new Hozevite from Romania, at the Holy Monastery of Hozeva, located at the bank of Brook Chorath, near Jericho.
On this feast, the Church, and especially the Church of Jerusalem commemorates that Saint John came to the Holy Land from Romania in the middle of the 20th century, and lived in utmost ascesis and humility at the Holy Monasteries of the Jordan River area, and in that of Saints George and John the Hozevites, he slept in peace and was deemed worthy to work miraculous signs, that is why he was canonized among the saints by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 2016.
Meditation of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa for the XIX Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Mt.14:22-33
Last Sunday, on the Feast of the Transfiguration, we heard a Gospel passage (Mt 17:1-9) about a theophany, which occurred on a mountain, Mount Tabor.
Today as well, the Gospel tells us about a theophany that occurred not on a mountain, but in the middle of a lake, Lake Tiberias (Mt 14:22-33).
More precisely, the theophany takes place in the midst of a stormy lake: We are no longer on the quiet and calm mountaintop, where Jesus had ascended to find, in peace, the space of intimate dialogue with the Father, but amid the threatening waves of the lake, shaken by a strong wind.
Lebanon holds special Prayer service for Iraqi Christians
Christian leaders express solidarity with the beleaguered Chaldean Catholic Church
In Lebanon, Christian leaders gathered for an evening of prayer for Iraq and the beleaguered Chaldean Catholic Church.
"Our church in Iraq is going through difficult circumstances," His Eminence Chaldean Bishop Michel Kassarji of Beirut said at the Aug. 12 solidarity prayer gathering at the Chaldean Cathedral of Archangel Raphael in Baabda, outside of Beirut, with representation by patriarchs, bishops and priests from Catholic and Orthodox churches.
"We will not surrender and the Lord is the one who protects us. Spread your light, O Lord, and bless us, bless our shepherds, bless your priests and your consecrated people who carry the good news of your Gospel, bless Iraq and its people, bless the Chaldean Church, bless Lebanon, bless our countries," Bishop Kassarji said.
Testimonies and Experiences of the Latin Patriarchate Youth in Jerusalem during their participation in the World Youth Days 2023
LISBON – From August 1st till August 6th, 2023, Catholic Christian youth from all over the world participated in the 37th World Youth Day, including the youth of Palestine, Galilee, Jordan, and Cyprus.
The Logo
Decorated in the colors of the Portuguese flag (green, red, and yellow), this year's logo is formed mainly of a Cross, which is the ultimate sign “of the infinite love of God for humankind.” A path emerges from the cross, showcasing the Rosary (as a reminder of Fatima’s Apparitions), Mary depicted as a young girl (to signal Mary’s readiness to live according to God’s will), and a depiction of the Holy Spirit. The logo invites the youth of the Church to not stand still but be builders of “a fairer and more fraternal world”.
In joint letter to European Union, WCC and Conference of European Churches urge lifting blockade of Nagorno-Karabagh
The World Council of Churches and Conference of European Churches, in a joint letter to the European Union, are urging lifting the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh by reopening the Lachin corridor.
“The humanitarian crisis in the blockaded enclave of Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh) is escalating into tragic levels of experiences with the prolonged deprivations and sufferings of civilians,” reads the letter. “We are, thus, prompted to stress the urgency of finding solutions to the ongoing crisis.”
Both organizations reiterated previous statements and positions on the need for urgent and immediate action by the international community.
“The Lachin corridor is the only road that links the region to Armenia and it has been blocked for more than seven months, seriously affecting the lives and living conditions of 120,000 people, including children,” reads the letter.
His Holiness Pope Francis to WYD volunteers: Keep riding the waves of love and charity
In the final WYD event on his schedule, His Holiness Pope Francis thanks the 25 thousand World Youth Day volunteers from 150 countries for their wonderful generosity, service and faith.
By Thaddeus Jones
In his final meeting with young people in Lisbon on Sunday afternoon, His Holiness Pope Francis met with 25 thousand World Youth Day volunteers at another large outdoor event on a sun-baked afternoon there. The volunteers came from around the world representing 150 countries.
His Holiness Pope Francis: 'Next World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea'
At the conclusion of the Holy Mass for World Youth Day, His Holiness Pope Francis expresses his deep gratitude for every person who made “this grace-filled event” possible and announces the Asian country as the next WYD site in 2027.
By Edoardo Giribaldi
Before making the excitedly-awaited announcement that the next World Youth Day will take place in Seoul, South Korea, "moving from the western edge of Europe to the Far East," Pope Francis expressed gratitude to all those who have made WYD2023 in Lisbon come true.
There is an expression, he said, that we have heard frequently during these days: “Thank you,” or rather, “Obrigado.”
Gratitude was the core value of the His Holiness Pope's Angelus message after the Holy Mass concluding World Youth Day in Lisbon.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III Celebrates the Feast of the Prophet Elijah in the Community of Maaloule
On Saturday, July 22/August 5, 2023, the feast of the prophet Elijah was celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in his Holy Temple, in the village of Maaloule, near Nazareth.
This Holy Church belonged to the Greek-Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community of Maaloule, it was abandoned due to the events during the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, and it was maintained during the last years by the Patriarchate and His Eminence the Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth with the funding of the Hegoumen of Tabor Archimandrite Hilarion, with the permission of the Israeli army and a Divine Liturgy is celebrated in it during the feast of the Prophet Elijah.
His Holiness Pope Francis at WYD Mass: Church and world need young people 'like the earth needs rain'
In his homily for the concluding Mass for World Youth Day in Lisbon, His Holiness Pope Francis calls on young people to shine, to listen, and to be unafraid.
By Christopher Wells
At the concluding Mass for this year’s World Youth Day, His Holiness Pope Francis echoed the words of the Apostles who witnessed the Transfiguration of Christ on the Mount: “It is good for us to be here!”
At the same time, he challenged the young people to ask themselves, “What will we take back with us to the valley of our daily lives?” Drawing on the day's Gospel, the Holy Father proposed three verbs: to shine, to listen, and to be unafraid.
The Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene the Myrrh-bearer & Marcella of Chiopolis at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
1.The feast of Saint Magdalene in her Russian Holy Monastery in Gethsemane.
On Friday, July 22/August 4, 2023, the memory of Saint Mary Magdalene was celebrated in the female Russian Monastery in Gethsemane.
During the Divine Liturgy in this Monastery, which was presided over by the Metropolitan of Berlin, His Eminence Mark, with two High Priests of the Russian Orthodox Church of the former diaspora, their Eminences Irenaeus and Theodosios, and Priests of the same Church. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, visited the Monastery and presented an icon to Metropolitan Mark and a cross of blessing to the Abbess Nun Elizabeth and spoke in English.
His Holiness Pope Francis at WYD Vigil: Joy is missionary and requires training
His Holiness Pope Francis portrays the Blessed Virgin Mary as a "missionary of joy" in his address to young people gathered in Lisbon for the World Youth Day Vigil celebration, and invites Christians to train our hearts to love God and our neighbor.
By Edoardo Giribaldi & Devin Watkins
As evening fell in Lisbon, young pilgrims gathered in Parque Tejo to celebrate the Vigil with His Holiness Pope Francis on the fifth day of World Youth Day.
The location, installed in 1998 for Lisbon’s World Fair and adjacent to the Tagus River Estuary Nature Reserve, hosted the first part of the event, a stage performance, and a second moment dedicated to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with Pope Francis speaking to the pilgrims in between the two moments.
His Holiness Pope Francis Tells Students in Lisbon There Is No Future in a World Without God
His Holiness Pope Francis reminds students at the Universidade Catòlica Portuguesa "there’s no future in a world without God" inviting them to make their faith credible through their choices. The meeting took place on the second day of the Pope's Apostolic Journey to Portugal for World Youth Day 2023.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“There is no future in a world without God,” Pope Francis warned university students in Portugal while appealing that they make their faith credible through their choices.
The Holy Father’s admonition came during his meeting with the students on the premises of the Universidade Catòlica Portuguesa, on the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Portugal for the occasion of the 37th World Youth Day.
His Holiness Pope Francis to Youth in Lisbon: ‘Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty'
On the second day of His Holiness Pope Francis’ visit to Lisbon for the 2023 World Youth Day, he meets with members of the “Scholas Occurrentes” community at its Portuguese headquarters in Cascais, and puts the finishing touch to a multi-coloured wall mural symbolising the beauty of unity in diversity.
By Linda Bordoni
Paulo, Mariana and Aledje were amongst the protagonists on Thursday at an event attended by Pope Francis and members of Scholas Occurrentes, at its Portuguese headquarters in Cascais, south of Lisbon.
The Feast of the Prophet Elijah at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On Wednesday, July 20 / August 2, 2023, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the feast of the Prophet Elijah of Thesbes, so named from his hometown Thesbes or Thisbes of the city of Gilead.
During this Feast, the Church recalls to its memory the things about the prophet Elijah as described in the Old Testament, mainly in the books of the Kings, but also in the New Testament, in the Gospels through the words of the Lord and in the Catholic Epistle of Saint James the Brother of God.
The prophet Elijah, as from his zeal for God, was called a zealot, and because of his faith he was heard and performed many miracles through God, such as the absence of rain for three years and the falling of rain again, the burning of the stones and firewood of the altar on Mount Carmel, the resurrection of the daughter of the Sumanite woman, the crossing of the Jordan river and the throwing of his fleece to his disciple Elisha, through which he parted the waters of the Jordan and walked as if on dry land and also received double his teacher’s grace.
Meditation of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa for the Solemnity of the Transfiguration
Mt 17: 1-9
The act of Listening is highlighted throughout The Gospel of Matthew as an essential and central aspect to the experience of faith.
This is portrayed by the borrowing of Old Testament Scriptures, which he does so often to indicate that the Gospel is first and foremost a Word heard: A Word so deeply heard that it can be fulfilled in a definitive way.
He also proposes that listening is an attitude that defines the believer’s journey.
Consider, for example, the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus said that those who hear His Words and put it into practice their house is built on rock (Mt 7:24).
Or the parabolic discourse (Mt 13), which the Liturgy has offered us in its entirety the past few Sundays: Every parable, after all, is built around the theme of listening, of opening one's heart to receive and cherish the seed of the Word, which is the real treasure. The precious pearl.
World Youth Day opens in Lisbon with Mass for Thousands of Pilgrims
The 37th World Youth Day gets underway with Mass celebrated by the His Beatitude Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, providing hundreds of thousands of young people their first opportunity to share their faith journey.
By Francesca Merlo - Lisbon, Portugal
In a flurry of excitement and joy, the first day of World Youth Day came to a close with music playing late into the evening.
The opening Mass, held in Lisbon's Edward VII Park on Tuesday, August 1st, brought together pilgrims from all corners of the world.
Adanna and Francis, brimming with enthusiasm, likened their feelings to being in the presence of the Pope as they handed me a green and white beaded bracelet, reminiscent of the flag of Nigeria, their home.
Meditation of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa for the XVII Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matt. 13: 44-52
With today's passage (Mt 13:44-52), we conclude our listening to the thirteenth chapter of Matthew's Gospel, counting seven parables told by Jesus, in which He refers to the mystery of the Kingdom of God.
Today we listen to the last three: that of the treasure, the pearl and the net, to finally arrive at the passage where Jesus describes the Kingdom disciple (Mt 13:52), a kind of conclusion to the parabolic discourse, to tell what happens to those who have accepted, to those who have "understood" (Mt 13:51) the parables.
His Holiness Pope Francis renews prayers for victims of Beirut port explosion
His Holiness Pope Francis renews his Prayers for the victims of the devastating port explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, just days before the three-year anniversary of the disaster. The Pope also prays that the nation may also overcome its current crisis.
By Thaddeus Jones
Speaking at the conclusion of Sunday's Angelus, His Holiness Pope Francis renewed his prayers for the people of Lebanon who are still recovering after a devastating explosion at the port of Beirut that took place almost three years ago on 4 August 2020.
Address of His Eminence Metropolitan Saba Isper to the General Assembly of the 56th Archdiocese Convention
Phoenix, 27 July 2023
Your Beatitude, Our father in Christ, Patriarch YOUHANNA X,
Your Graces,
Beloved clergy,
Esteemed members of the Board of Trustees of our God Protected Archdiocese,
Heads of Departments,
Members of the Order of St. Ignatius,
Members of the Antiochian Women,
Address of His Beatitude Patriarch John X at the Antiochian Archdiocese Convention
Phoenix, Arizona, 27 July 2023
I come to you from Damascus, a city that, centuries ago, inherited the glory of Antioch. I come with Paschal joy in my heart, a joy that overcomes all sorrow and pain. I carry this joy to you from the light of the Resurrection that I saw on the faces of your brothers and sisters who are struggling to survive in Antioch, the Great City of God. I celebrated the feast of Pascha with them in Antioch, standing upon the ruins of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral destroyed by the earthquake. However, the earthquake did not destroy the resolve of the Antiochians or their vibrant Church. This Church still defies the cruelty of history and insists on survival by building what was destroyed. This Church bears witness to the sweetness of Christ and to the Antiochian Orthodox heritage.
I come to you from Damascus, from the Street called Straight, where Saul was baptized and after his conversion was named Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. I bring to you the blessings of the Mariamite Cathedral, Our Lady of Saydnaya Convent, and the Protomartyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles Thekla Convent in the town of Maaloula.