Appealing for peace in the Holy Land, His Holiness Pope Francis expresses concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons and all Christians to pray and fast on 27 October for peace.

By Francesca Merlo

“The number of victims is growing and the situation in Gaza is desperate.”

With these words, His Holiness Pope Francis turned his thoughts to Palestine and [Israel] pleading that “everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.”

Church Unites in Prayer, Firmly Condemns Massacre at Hospital, and Grieves the Loss of Hundreds of Innocent Civilians

Jerusalem October 17, 2023

In a solemn observance of a global day of fasting and prayers for peace, reconciliation, and an end to the harrowing conflict, Christians stood united in the Holy Land. However, this day of reflection was marred by a brutal attack on our Al Ahli Anglican Episcopal Hospital in Gaza during the [Israel] air strikes there. Citing 2 Cor. 4,8-9a, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed," we reflect on the unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

Churches across the world join a Day of Prayer and Fasting for peace in the Holy Land Day amid threats of further escalation.

By Vatican News staff writer

As war between Israel and Hamas rages on, and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip worsens, Christians across the world are heeding a call to pray for peace in the Holy Land.

The Church leaders of the Holy Land's call for a day of prayer

Writing to the world’s faithful as President of the Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land (ACOHL), in a letter last week His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, asked that on Tuesday, October 17, everyone hold a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer for peace and reconciliation in the battered region.

The Greek orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, praying daily for the peace of the whole world was praying fervently especially on 4/17 October 2023 according to the statement of the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem released on October 13th, 2023.

The Prayer was held at the Horrendous Golgotha for the cessation of all hostilities in [Israel] and Gaza and for the prevailing spirit of dialogue and peace and the relief of all those wounded by war and in favour of respecting every human soul as the image of God.

From Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

His Holiness Pope Francis makes a phone call to the parishioners of the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza, with a religious sister expressing gratitude for his encouragement to the suffering community.

By Paolo Ondarza & Devin Watkins

"His Holiness Pope Francis assured us that we are in his Prayers and that he knows the suffering we are enduring."

Sister Nabila Saleh of the Rosary Sisters of Jerusalem shared that summary of a phone call received from His Holiness Pope Francis on Monday night.

Entitled: “The Orthodox Church of Antioch from the Fifteenth to the Eighteenth Century: Towards a Proper Understanding of History”

Under the patronage and in the presence of His Beatitude Patriarch John, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, the University of Balamand, Lebanon, inaugurated, on Monday 16 October 2023, the International Scientific Conference entitled: “The Orthodox Church of Antioch from the Fifteenth to the Eighteenth Century: Towards a Proper Understanding of History”. It was held at the Zakhem Auditorium - University of Balamand in Koura. The conference was organized by the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand.

During the conference, His Beatitude Patriarch John X delivered an opening speech, which you can find its full text.

On October 15, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, consecrated St. Aphrem Church in Istanbul.

His Beatitude Sahag II, Armenian Orthodox Patriarch of Istanbul, His Eminence Archbishop Apostol Danieladis, representative of His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, His Excellency Levon Zekiyan Armenian Catholic Bishop of Istanbul, were present. The Mayor of Great Istanbul Mr. Akram Imamoglu was also present and congratulated the Syriac leadership and community on the new Church.

During the consecration, His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Cetin, Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, Mor Theophilos George Saliba, Patriarchal Advisor, Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, Archbishop of Turabdin, Mor Dioscoros Benjamin Atas, Patriarchal Vicar in Sweden, Mor Dionysius Issa Gurbuz, Patriarchal Vicar of Switzerland and Austria, Mor Philoxenus Saliba Ozmen, Archbishop of Mardin, Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Bekaa, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Julius Hanna Aydin, Director of External Relations in Germany, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Chrysostomos Youhanna Ghassaly, Patriarchal Vicar of Argentina, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant.

On October 13, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, presided over the Evening Prayer at St. Mary Church in Istanbul.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Cetin, Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, Mor Theophilos George Saliba, Patriarchal Advisor, Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, Arhcbishop of Turabdin, Mor Dioscoros Benjamin Atas, Patriarchal Vicar in Sweden, Mor Philoxenus Saliba Ozmen, Archbishop of Mardin, Mor Gregorius Malke Urek, Patriarchal Vicar of Adiyaman and Environs, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Julius Hanna Aydin, Director of External Relations in Germany, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Chrysostomos Youhanna Ghassaly, Patriarchal Vicar of Argentina, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant.

On October 13, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, arrived to Istanbul for the celebrations of the consecration of Mor Aphrem Church.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was received by his Eminence Archbishop Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Cetin, Patriarchal Vicar in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, and Mr. Sait Susin, President of the Archdiocesan Council.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, Arhcbishop of Turabdin,

Mor Philoxenus Saliba Ozmen, Archbishop of Mardin, and Mor Gregorius Malke Urek, Patriarchal Vicar of Adiyaman and Environs, were also present at the airport for the reception of His Holiness and the accompanying delegation.

Amidst unfolding violence in the Holy Land, their Beatitudes Patriarchs and their Eminences Heads of Churches in Jerusalem issued Statement on the Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza. You can find below its full text.

In Tuesday’s press briefing with journalists, Dr. Paolo Ruffini gave an update on the discussions of the working groups, while US Cardinal Tobin spoke of the richness of the comparison of different experiences and cultures, and Colombian Sister Echeverri upheld “the call to listen to the cry of the poor.”

By Alessandro Di Bussolo

The true beauty of the Catholic Church “becomes evident when its doors are open and welcome people. We hope that the Synod will help us open them even more.”

That is how US Cardinal Joseph William Tobin, the Archbishop of Newark, described the theme of the second module of the Instrumentum laboris. The module is focusing on the theme: “A communion that radiates: How can we be more fully a sign and instrument of union with God and of the unity of all humanity?” which was discussed in small groups Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

Amidst unfolding violence in the Holy Land, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem issued a statement in which they call for peace and justice. You can find below its full text.

Since he is not the God of disorder but of peace" (1 Cor. 14,33)

Dear brothers and sisters,

may the Lord indeed give us His peace!

The pain and dismay at what is happening is great. Once again we find ourselves in the midst of a political and military crisis. We have suddenly been catapulted into a sea of unprecedented violence. The hatred, which we have unfortunately already been experiencing for too long, will increase even more, and the ensuing spiral of violence will create more destruction. Everything seems to speak of death.

Yet, in this time of sorrow and dismay, we do not want to remain helpless. We cannot let death and its sting (1 Cor 15:55) be the only word we hear…

In the Context of the Catholic Church’s Synod in Rome

In the context of the Synod’s 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Catholic Church, which will is being held between 4 and 29 October 2023 in the Vatican, the KTO TV channel made an interview His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Catholic Family, which you can watch it in English in the video.

Under the guidance of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, and with his Blessings and presence, “The Antiochian Orthodox Church from the Fifteenth to the Eighteenth Century. Towards an Accurate Understanding of History” Symposium will be held at the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology - Balamand, Lebanon, from 15 to 18 October 2023. In preparation for this Symposium, Télé Lumiere and Noursat presents a special episode in Arabic about its activities and objectives, prepared and presented by the journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

You can find the full video of the episode.

Following the rising religious attacks against Christians in the Holy Land, His Eminence Bishop Doctor Sani Ibrahim Azar, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, issued a statement which you can find its full text.

The Holy Synod was convened on Thursday, October 5th, at the  Patriarchate’s headquarters in Jerusalem. The Assembly was presided over  by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and was attended by esteemed  members of the Holy Synod.

During the Assembly, His Beatitude discussed several administrative  and pastoral matters concerning the service of the Patriarchate, its  monasteries, churches, clergy, and the faithful. 

His Holiness Pope Francis has published an Apostolic Exhortation building on his 2015 encyclical. We’re not reacting enough, he says, we’re close to breaking point. He criticises climate change deniers, saying that the human origin of global warming is now beyond doubt. And he describes how care for our common home flows from the Christian faith.

By Vatican News

“’Praise God’ is the title of this letter.  For when human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies.”

That’s how His Holiness Pope Francis ends his new Apostolic Exhortation, published on the 4th October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.

It’s a text in continuity with his 2015 encyclical Laudato si’, which is broader in scope. In six chapters and 73 paragraphs, the Successor of Peter tries to clarify and bring to completion that previous text on integral ecology, while at the same time sounding an alarm, and a call for co-responsibility, in the face of the climate emergency.

His Holiness Pope Francis presides at the Holy Mass in St Peter’s Square for the Opening of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, and invites the faithful to walk with the Holy Spirit, “in trust and with joy”.

By Christopher Wells

The Solemn Mass for the Opening of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops began with a modern version of the traditional Laudes Regiae hymn, invoking God’s protection and blessing on the Church, on His Holiness Pope Francis and the Bishops and the flock entrusted to him, and on civil leaders and all women and men.

In his homily, Pope Francis recalled a “difficult moment” in Jesus’ earthly ministry, recounted in the day’s Gospel. “In the moment of desolation,” the Pope said, “Jesus has a gaze capable of seeing beyond: He praises the wisdom of the Father and is able to discern the good that grows unseen, the seed of the Word welcomed by the simple, the light of the Kingdom of God that shows the way even in the night.”

The Patriarchal Meeting of the Spiritual Cithare in the Patriarchal Monastery Saint George Al-Homayra

Patriarchal Monastery Saint George Al-Homayra, Syria

September 25-October 1rst, 2023

With the blessing and under the auspices of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, the Spiritual Cithare Choir has completed its annual meeting for teaching Church Music at the Patriarchal Monastery Saint George Al-Homayra from September 25 to October 1rst, 2023.