Mt 22, 34-40 

We are at the last of the three controversies stirred up by Jesus' opponents with the aim of getting him into trouble, of discrediting among the crowd his growing reputation as a prophet, which had gradually spread thanks to his deeds and words.

The first one (Mt 22:15-21) we heard last Sunday, regards the tribute to be given or not given to the emperor: Jesus had responded by shifting the level of the problem and inviting his interlocutors to look deeper, to see the image that everything bears within itself, to distinguish what bears the image of God and should be repaid to Him, and what instead bears the imprint of man, and should be treated as such.

The second (Mt 22:23-33) was about the resurrection of the dead: here, too, Jesus changes perspective, and reminds the Sadducees who question him that God is faithful to man's life, and this love-filled faithfulness is the foundation of hope in the resurrection.

Today (Mt 22:34-40), the question posed by a scribe concerns the Law, and he asks Jesus what the great commandment is.

I would like to dwell first on two points.

In an intervention delivered at the beginning of Wednesday afternoon’s General Congregation of the General Assembly, His Holiness Pope Francis highlights the description of the Church as God’s faithful people, infallible in believing.

Intervention of Pope Francis

at the 18th General Congregation

of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly

of the Synod of Bishops

I like to think of the Church as God's faithful people, saint and sinner, a people convoked and called with the force of the beatitudes and of Matthew 25.

Jesus, for His Church, did not take up any of the political schemes of his time: not the Pharisees, nor Sadducees, nor Essenes, nor Zealots. No “closed corporation”; He simply takes up the tradition of Israel: “You shall be My people and I will be your God”.

I like to think of the Church as this simple and humble people who walk in the presence of the Lord (the faithful people of God). This is the religious meaning of our faithful people. And I say faithful people so as not to fall into the many ideological approaches and schemes with which the reality of the people of God is “reduced”. Simply faithful people, or also, “God’s holy faithful people” on the way, saind and sinner. And this is the Church.

Within the framework of initiatives related to the Year of the Armenian Diaspora, a series of official meetings commenced on Monday, October 23rd, 2023, featuring discussions with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church of Cilicia. The event, titled "From Introspection to Reorganization," is intended to reinvigorate the organizational structures of the Armenian Prelacy and the Lebanese Armenian community.

The first meeting took place on the evening of Monday, October 23rd, 2023, in Yercho Samuelian-Yerakuyn Hall of the Prelacy of Lebanon. Distinguished attendees included diocesan representatives, members of the Executive Council, the Religious Council, as well as representatives from various councils and committees operating under the Prelacy.

Participants in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops have approved a Letter to the People of God giving thanks for their experience, detailing the work of the past few weeks, and expressing the hope that in the coming months, everyone will be able to "concretely participate in the dynamism of missionary communion indicated by the word 'synod'".

Letter of the

XVI Ordinary General Assembly

of the Synod of Bishops

to the People of God

Dear sisters, dear brothers,

As the proceedings of the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops draw to a close, we want to thank God with all of you for the beautiful and enriching experience we have lived. We lived this blessed time in profound communion with all of you. We were supported by your prayers, bearing with you your expectations, your questions, as well as your fears. As His Holiness Pope Francis requested two years ago, a long process of listening and discernment was initiated, open to all the People of God, no one being excluded, to “journey together” under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, missionary disciples engaged in the following of Jesus Christ.

In an interview with Vatican Media, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expresses his sorrow for all the victims of the conflict that is bloodying the Holy Land, saying Hamas has committed unjustifiable atrocities but that "starving two million people will not help."

By Federico Piana

His is a bleeding heart, torn by grief for the thousands of victims who are increasing every day. But it is also a divided heart, “because in my community there are Palestinians and [Israelis]. And holding everything together at this time is really very complicated.” Speaking with Vatican Media, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expresses his concern at the increasing difficulty in interceding for both sides in the dispute. Nonetheless, he says, “One has to try, one cannot give up.” Efforts for peace certainly cannot be set aside.

His Holiness Pope Francis renews his appeal to release [Israeli] hostages and to let humanitarian aid reach Gaza, while inviting the faithful to join him in praying for peace on Friday, 27 October.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"I encourage the release of hostages, and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza."

With these words, His Holiness Pope Francis made his latest appeal for the Holy Land, which came at the Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square as he addressed Italian-speaking pilgrims.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum and Justin Welby, have issued a joint emergency appeal for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. The international appeal calls for Prayers and donations not only for the work of the Anglican-run al-Ahli Arab Hospital’s vital work in Gaza, but also for the Diocese of Jerusalem’s ministries throughout the Holy Land which are also being greatly affected by the [Israel]-Hamas war.

Responding to the appeal, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Jerusalem said: “Thank you again for all your prayers and support during this time of great calamity! Continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for security for all who dwell in its lands.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May the Lord give you peace!

We are going through one of the most difficult and painful periods in our recent times and history. For over two weeks now, we have been inundated with images of horrors, which have reawakened ancient traumas, opened new wounds, and made pain, frustration and anger explode within all of us. Much seems to speak of death and endless hatred. So many ‘whys’ overlap in our minds, adding to our sense of bewilderment.

The whole world views this Holy Land of ours as a place that is a constant cause of wars and divisions. That is precisely why it was good that a few days ago, the whole world joined us with a day of prayer and fasting for peace. It was a beautiful view of the Holy Land and an important moment of unity with our Church. And that view is still there. Next October 27th, the Pope has called for a second day of prayer and fasting, so that our intercession may continue. It will be a day that we will celebrate with conviction. It is perhaps the main thing we Christians can do at this time: pray, do penance, intercede. For this, we thank the Holy Father from the bottom of our hearts.

At the daily Synod briefing for journalists, the President of the Commission for Information, Paolo Ruffini, shares that the "Synthesis Document" will be released on Saturday evening. Journalists hear from His Beatitude Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, His Beatitude Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes of Mexico City; His Beatitude Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, and Sr. Samuela Rigon, Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and Professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University.

By L'Osservatore Romano

The reading of the draft of the Letter to the People of God was greeted with applause from the assembly this morning. At the invitation of His Beatitude the Cardinal Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Mario Grech, "small suggestions for changes and additions to the text were proposed and accepted, particularly regarding the translations into the different languages". Other proposals for changes to the General Secretariat of the Synod were to have been presented within 6 pm this evening. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and President of the Commission for Information announced that the Letter to the People of God "will be approved and published on Wednesday."

Jerusalem

22 October 2023

On the morning of Sunday 22 October 2023, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, held a Prayer and memorial service for the souls of the Gaza war victims, and the victims of the [Israeli] air strike that hit the St. Porphyrius Orthodox Church compound on Thursday, killing at least 18 people who had been seeking shelter in the Church, which dates back to the 5th century, and is of at least 1616 years old.

“We appeal to you to awaken the longing for a peaceful life in all those who are filled with hatred for their neighbours, especially those now at war or preparing for war,” His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III said.

In light of the ongoing violence in the Holy Land, Jerusalem’s Christian Spiritual Leaders host the Archbishop of Canterbury and collectively call in a statement for restraint, de-escalation of violence, and protection of civilians. You can find the full text of the statement.

Under the initiative of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church of Cilicia, two online consultation sessions were held on October 12th and 13th, 2023. These sessions involved a group of specialists in history, international law, and political science from Armenia and the diaspora. The purpose was to assess the repercussions of the ethnic cleansing in Artsakh and to establish guidelines for forthcoming efforts.

The first session covered the following topics: regional events and geopolitics; the situation of forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians and the approaches of various states towards humanitarian assistance; the legal basis for demands concerning the release of prisoners of war and statesmen; the right of return for the people of Artsakh, ensuring their security and protection of their rights; the status of Armenian religious-cultural heritage in Artsakh and combating the falsification of history. The second session focused on exploring potential legal avenues to address the situation.

Balamand - Lebanon, October 21, 2023

The Holy Antiochian Synod, presided by His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X (Yazigi), Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, held its fourteenth regular session and seventeenth extraordinary session in Balamand, Lebanon, from October 16 to 21, 2023, in the presence of Their Eminences, the Most Reverend Metropolitans:

Elias (Archdiocese of Beirut and dependencies); Elias (Archdiocese of Tyre, Sidon and dependencies); Damaskinos (Archdiocese of São Paulo and All Brazil); Saba (Archdiocese of New York and All North America); Silouan (Archdiocese of Byblos, Botrys and dependencies); Basilios (Archdiocese of Akkar and dependencies); Ephrem (Archdiocese of Tripoli, Koura and dependencies); Ignatius (Archdiocese of France, Western and Southern Europe); Ghattas (Archdiocese of Baghdad, Kuwait and dependencies); Silouan (Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland); Antonios (Archdiocese of Zahleh, Baalbek and dependencies); Nicolas (Archdiocese of Hama and dependencies); Basilios (Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines); Ignatius (Archdiocese of Mexico, Venezuela, Central America and the Caribbean Islands); Athanasius (Archdiocese of Lattakia and dependencies); Jacques (Archdiocese of Buenos Aires and All Argentina); Ephrem (Archdiocese of Aleppo, Alexandretta, and dependencies); and Nifon Saikali Metropolitan of Philippopolis and Representative of the Patriarch of Antioch to the Patriarch of Moscow. Also in attendance was Their Graces: Bishop Gregorios Khoury, Secretary of the Holy Synod and Bishop Romanos El-Hannat, Patriarchal Vicar.

The Metropolitans who apologized for not being able to attend are as follows: Sergios (Archdiocese of Santiago and Chile); Isaac (Archdiocese of Germany and Central Europe). His Eminence Metropolitan Boulos Yazigi is always present in the prayers and invocations of the Synod Fathers, despite his physical absence caused by his abduction.

The Holy Council of Antioch began on Thursday 19 October 2023, at Balamand - Lebanon, presided over by 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, with the participation of their Eminence the Bishops.

Jerusalem, October 19, 2023

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expresses its strongest condemnation of the [Israeli] airstrike that have struck its church compound in the city of Gaza.

The Patriarchate emphasizes that targeting churches and their institutions, along with the shelters they provide to protect innocent citizens, especially children and women who have lost their homes due to [Israeli] airstrikes on residential areas over the past thirteen days, constitutes a war crime that cannot be ignored.

Following the violence inflicted upon Gaza, the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon issued a statement which you can find its full text.

The ACT Palestine Forum has issued the following statement regarding the escalating violence on the Gaza Strip. The statement can be downloaded here.

We at the ACT Palestine Forum feel deeply concerned and distressed after a day full of escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and its surrounding area. The resulting potential for major escalation throughout all of Palestine and Israel is extremely likely. The ACT Palestine Forum extends its heartfelt empathy and concern to all affected innocent civilians and their families, and we lift them up in prayer during these challenging and uncertain times.

Calls for a new reality based on justice and human dignity

The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed both outrage and shock at the news of an [Israeli] airstrike on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza.

It is with a sense of outrage and shock, that we received news of the [Israeli] missile attack on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Thousands of Palestinians who had lost their homes already were taking refuge at the hospital, run by the Anglican Church. The attack amounts to collective punishment, which is a war crime under International Law.  The international community must hold [Israel] accountable for the crimes committed against civilians.  The attack stands also contrary to everything our monotheistic values demand from us; namely to stand up for justice, make peace, and protect the human dignity of all those created by God and in His image. The attack makes no sense, since it was directed against a hospital, church property, patients, and families who were seeking refuge from relentless bombardment by [Israel].

19/10/2023 

“The angels of peace are weeping bitterly” (Isaiah 33:7)

As fellow Shepherds we add our voices to those of our Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches of Jerusalem.

 We care deeply for every human life, whether [Israeli] or Palestinian, created in the image and likeness of God. We weep for all victims and offer our deepest condolences to all who have been bereaved or injured.

 In less than two weeks tragically more than 1,500 [Israelis] and 3,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 1,000 children, as well as medical and UN personnel and journalists. We condemn unequivocally the indiscriminate killing of all civilians both [Israelis] and Palestinians.

Condemns the Unjustified [Israeli] Violence Against Innocent Palestinian Civilians

The Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, condemns the unjustified [Israeli] violence against innocent Palestinian civilians, which reached a cruel climax today with the bombing of the Baptist Hospital in Gaza, resulting in the shedding of the blood of hundreds of innocent martyrs and wounded.

While we condemn this attack, we affirm our firm stance against the shedding of innocent blood everywhere and on every side, and our full support for the rights of the Palestinian people to live in safety within their lands. We pray that God will help them in the horrors they face, and grant tranquility to the entire world.