His Eminence Bishop Doctor Sani Ibrahim Azar, the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, says the biggest challenge is to accompany families who live in fear for their lives as the conflict between Hamas and the [Israel] army continues.

Lutherans in Jerusalem mark Reformation Day amid tensions and fear over Gaza conflict

(LWI) - “It is very hard to speak about hope here in Jerusalem,” says His Eminence Bishop Doctor Sani Ibrahim Azar, leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. On 31 October 2023, he led a Reformation Day Service in the Church of the Redeemer in the Old City, Jerusalem, where Lutherans from many different national congregations traditionally gather for the annual celebration.

Between Sadness and the Hope of Resurrection

JERUSALEM – On November 2nd, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a Mass at the Pro-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate to commemorate the departure of all the faithful, and offer Mass on their behalf and for the forgotten souls in purgatory. Many Bishops, Vicars, and priests also concelebrated the Mass, which was attended by LPJ Employees and other Catholic institutes in Jerusalem, as well as several consecrated women and faithful.

In an interview with Italian news program Tg1, His Holiness Pope Francis speaks about the possibility of global conflict. Addressing a number topics, he says we must not become accustomed to war and he decries the arms trade.

By Vatican News

For His Holiness Pope Francis, a global escalation of the war that broke out in [Israel] and Palestine “is a possibility” but he hopes it does not happen by trusting in “human wisdom”. The Pope’s remarks came during a long interview with Gianmarco Chiocci, director of the Italian news program Tg1, which was broadcast Wednesday on Italy's public broadcaster RaiUno.

On Monday, October 30th, 2023, the third of the online sessions dedicated to Artsakh, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, was held.

The group of experts from Armenia, Artsakh, and the diaspora discussed the potential ramifications deriving from the rapidly changing geopolitical situation surrounding the Artsakh issue. Their discussions encompassed a wide range of topics, such as recent statements given by the President of Artsakh, the implications of statements related to the Zangezur Corridor project, the principles outlined in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deals, as well as the Armenian diaspora's role in all these aspects.

On the occasion of the ‘Reformation Day’ and 125 Anniversary to the dedication of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem, an Ecumenical Service was held at the Church of the Redeemer.

Photos by: Canon Don Binder.

Under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Joseph Kassab, President of the Supreme Council of Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, General Secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches, the Evangelical Churches of the Beirut region gathered on Sunday, 29 October 2023, to celebrate the 506th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

On Saturday, October 15/28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. a Doxology was held in the Catholicon of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the National Holiday of October 28, 1940.

This Doxology was offered as thanks to God for His help in our nation to defend against the Italian military invasion of 1940 and to shake off the barbaric German Nazi occupation of World War II during the years 1941-1944 and as a prayer for the repose of the souls of those who fought heroically and fell in battle or were fraudulently and unjustly executed collectively or individually.

The Doxology was presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, along with the Bishops and Priests of the Patriarchate, in the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem, Mr Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, members of the Church of Jerusalem and our Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking flock.

SAT 7 TV Channel published on its Facebook Page a video for Reverend Dr. Joseph Kassab, President of the Supreme Council of Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, General Secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches, in which he presents a Prayer on the intention of peace in the Holy Land.

O Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, Queen of Palestine and of the Holy Land, in this time of trial we turn to you because you love and know us: No concern of our hearts is hidden from you. Mother of mercy, how often we have experienced your watchful care and your peaceful presence! You never cease to guide us to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Yet humanity has strayed from that path of peace. It has forgotten the lessons learned from the tragedies of the recent past, the sacrifices of the millions who fell in wars.

By our sins we have broken the heart of our heavenly Father, who desires us to be brothers and sisters. Now with shame we cry out: Forgive us, Lord!

Holy Mother, amid our struggles and weaknesses, amid the mystery of iniquity that is evil and war, you remind us that God never abandons His people, but continues to look upon us with love. He has given you to us and made your Immaculate Heart a refuge for the Church and for all humanity.

DEIR RAFAT – On Sunday, October 29th, 2023, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the Solemn Mass for Our Lady Queen of Palestine and the Holy Land, main patroness of the diocese, at the Shrine of Our Lady. Several Bishops, and priests also concelebrated; In the presence of the Religious sisters, and the few faithful, who managed to come to the monastery amidst these difficult times.

Due to the current situation that is on-going in our beloved Holy Land, great number of faithful who yearly come from different parts of the Holy Land to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady, in the Shrine of Deir Rafat, which was built in 1927, unfortunately, were not able to come. Yet they celebrated in their parishes and asked Our Lady to intercede for the people of this Holy Land and its peace.

You can find a video showing the moment of a missile strike near the Holy Family Church in Al Zaytoun Neighborhood in Gaza, where a group of families were praying together.

You can find some photos showing the massive destruction that occurred to the Orthodox Cultural Center in Gaza after it was bombed.

Photos’ source: Facebook Page of His Eminence Arbchishop Atallah Hanna, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia.

You can also find a video including a testimony directly from the center after it was bombed.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement On Tuesday, 31 of October 2023’s morning, condemning the [Israeli] military’s bombardment of the Orthodox Cultural Center in the Tel Al Hawa neighborhood of Gaza earlier today. In this statement, the Patriarchate emphasizes that this attack represents a stark embodiment of [Israel]’s unwarranted determination to destroy the civil infrastructure and social service centers, as well as shelters for civilians trapped in the besieged enclave. The Patriarchate highlights that social, cultural, and sports centers have become vital providers of essential humanitarian services and safe havens for those affected by [Israeli] airstrikes targeting residential areas.

By: Photos Credit: Custodia Terræ Sanctæ

His Holiness Pope Francis has called for a day of Prayer and fasting, on Friday, Oct. 27, to implore peace for the Holy Land, and the whole world. This is the second appeal made by His Holiness Pope Francis as the first was called on by His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, on Oct. 17, to which all Oarishioners of the diocese as well as many dioceses of the world responded to.

His Holiness Pope Francis prays for an end to the violence in the Holy Land, especially in Gaza where a humanitarian catastrophe has unfolded, as well as for the release of [Israeli] hostages held by Hamas.

By Francesca Merlo

His Holiness Pope Francis has called for a ceasefire in the Holy Land. Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for his Sunday Angelus, the Holy Father invited everyone to "continue to pray ... for the serious situation in Palestine and [Israel]". In particular, he asked that humanitarian aid be allowed to enter Gaza and that all hostages be freed.  

His Holiness Pope Francis reminds the Synodal Assembly that the Holy Spirit is the gathering's protagonist, and offers his heartfelt thanks to all, as he addressed the closing session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality, which concludes with the Holy Mass on Sunday in the Vatican.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The Holy Spirit is the protagonist of this Synod...

His Holiness Pope Francis offered this powerful reminder during the closing session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place Saturday in the Vatican, in his brief remarks.

The Holy Father began his remarks, in Spanish, thanking all those who have played a key role in the synodal gathering.

The Synthesis Report at the conclusion of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality is published. Looking ahead to the second session in 2024, the text offers reflections and proposals on topics such as the role of women and the laity, the ministry of bishops, priesthood and the diaconate, the importance of the poor and migrants, digital mission, ecumenism, and abuse.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Women and the laity, diaconate, ministry and magisterium, peace and the climate, the poor and migrants, ecumenism and identity, new languages and renewed structures, old and new missions (including the “digital” mission), listening to all and probing everything more deeply, even the most 'controversial' issues. In the Synthesis Report approved and published today by the 16th General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality, there is a renewed look at the world and the Church and their demands. After four weeks of work, which began on 4 October in the Paul VI Hall, the General Assembly concluded its first session today in the Vatican.

Children from the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza record a video praying the Our Father and the Hail Mary for an end to the war, as the sound of falling bombs can be heard in the background.

By Vatican News

Parishioners from Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza are praying fervently for an end to the war and peace for all.

In a video recorded on Saturday, bombs can be heard exploding in the background. The Parish compound has turned into a refuge for many seeking shelter.

Jordan, 2023

Below is the Communiqué of the Anglican–Oriental Orthodox International Commission which held its tenth meeting in Jordan in October 2023:

The Anglican–Oriental Orthodox International Commission held its tenth meeting in Jordan from the 24th to the 27th October 2023, thanking the Most Revd Dr Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, for his gracious hospitality.

Consideration had been given to the appropriateness of travelling to Jordan in a time of war in the wider region. It was decided that the meeting should go ahead, as a sign of solidarity with the local Churches.

The Commission prayed for peace and justice in the region, expressing its deep solidarity with its people. Archbishop Hosam joined a session of the meeting online, briefed the Commission on the situation across the region, prayed with the members and referred to his joint appeal with the Archbishop of Canterbury for prayer for peace and justice. He characterised the conflicts in the region as a potential existential threat to the Churches.

In a broken world, lacerated by war and suffering, His Holiness Pope Francis asks believers to join him in Prayer for peace and reconciliation. He implores the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, to offer the solace, guidance, and hope of a mother who has seen her children endure pain and loss throughout history. To Her, he consecrates “the world, especially those countries at war.”

By Linda Bordoni

Consecrating our lives, the Church and the world to the Queen of Peace, His Holiness Pope Francis prayed to the Mother of God to touch the hearts of those imprisoned by hatred, and convert those who fuel and foment conflict.