On Wednesday afternoon, December 13th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, visited His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President for the Catholic Family, at the Catholic Patriarchate.

Accompanying His Holiness Catholicos Aram I were HE Arch. Nareg Alemezian, HE Arch. Shahan Sarkissian, Director of the Cilicia Museum, V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian, Director of the Information and Communication Department, and V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian, Director of the Middle East section of the Ecumenical Relations.

Balamand, Lebanon, December 14, 2023

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, warmly welcomed His Eminence Sheikh Ali Al- Khatib, Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, during a meeting at the Patriarchal Residence in Balamand. Accompanying His Eminence were the Mufti Sheikh Hassan Abdullah, the Mufti Sheikh Abdul Amir Shams al-Din, Special Advisor to His Eminence Dr. Ghazi Qanso, and Media Advisor Mr. Wassef Awada. Representing the Antiochian side were His Grace Bishop Moses Al-Khosi, Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Georges Yaacoub, Abbot of Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery, Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand and President of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), and Consul Mark Ghorayeb, the Honorary General Ambassador of Albania in Lebanon.

Mark 1:1-8 

In difficult times, when we wait and hope for help that will somehow come, there is always someone who first sees the way to salvation.

Someone who has honed the gaze of the heart, who has drawn on words that come from afar and for that reason, is the only one capable of illuminating a new stretch of road.

This one has a specific and fundamental task: to warn everyone of what is happening, so that even those who do not yet see, may realize, may open their eyes, may awaken from their torpor. May they awaken the expectation they carry within them.

His task is decisive, like that of the gatekeeper mentioned in last Sunday's Gospel (Mk. 13:34): he sees the master's return first, and warns everyone in the house.

Salvation history is studded with these figures, these prophets who announce the return of God who renews the covenant with his people. Often they do not have an easy life, because opening to the newness requires a deep awareness of what dwells in us, which may not be understood by others. This is why many of them have been rejected, excluded; some even killed.

Negotiations at the UN Climate Summit, COP28, are struggling. The usual conflicts over finance and equity are making it difficult for parties to agree. The new text, which builds on consultations with the parties, is a sign of some worrying compromises, as they inadequately acknowledge the seriousness of the climate crisis. Still, countries are far apart and getting ambitious decisions at this COP seems a tall order.

This is despite COP 28 starting on a good note with the adoption of a decision to set up the Loss and Damage fund and funding arrangements.

On December 11, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, laid the foundation stone of the new building of the Holy Cross Monastery in Sweden.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, presided over the fifth online consultation on December 7th, 2023, uniting experts to delve into pressing matters for the Armenians of Artsakh.

In attendance were Prof. Ashod Melkonian, Prof. Rupen Safrasdian, Dr. Armen Maroukian, Dr. Vahram Palayan, Dr. Vicken Cheterian, Dr. Khatchig Der Ghougasian, Mr. Shahan Kandaharian, and Aharon Shekherdemian serving as the secretary.

The session commenced with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I providing a brief overview of his recent discussions with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives and congressmen. In these meetings, the focus centered on ensuring the collective return of Artsakh Armenians, emphasizing the necessity for international security guarantees associated with the return, and addressing broader principles concerning the protection of the rights of the people of Artsakh.

On December 10, 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 (Ramsho) at Mor Aphrem Cathedral in Sodertalje. He was received by the kids who welcomed him with hymns and chants.

Homs, Syria, December 8, 2023

The Archdiocese of Homs, both Clergymen and lay people, came to welcome His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for then Orthodox Family, accompanied by their new Archdiocesan Pastor, His Eminence Metropolitan Gregorios (Al Khoury). Government and Religious personalities together with security officials blended with crowds for the occasion. At the end of the Prayer of thanksgiving, His Beatitude Patriarch John X handed the rod of pastoral care to His Eminence the new Metropolitan Gregorios. He addressed the audience, saying: “Lord, Lord: Look down from heaven and behold, and visit this vine and perfect that which Thy right hand hath planted.” Thus, we pray the Lord that He look upon the Archdiocese of Homs, which the Holy Spirit is handing over today to its new cultivator, His Eminence Gregorios.

Then, His Beatitude Patriarch John X addressed the people of Homs saying: “As for you, people of Homs, I say: Relate with Him in a symphony of love, love one another so that people will know that you are my children.”

On December 6th and 7th, His Eminence Arch. Nareg Alemezian conducted official meetings in the Vatican with His Holiness Pope Francis, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, and representatives from the Dicasteries for Promoting Christian Unity and the Eastern Churches.

During his meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis, His Eminence Arch. Nareg conveyed warm regards from His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and discussed the recent developments in Artsakh, Armenia, and Lebanon. He highlighted the challenges faced by Armenians and outlined the measures initiated by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to address them. Arch. Nareg also presented his book, "Instruction on the Orthodox Faith and Virtuous and Pure Life," dedicated to His Holiness Pope Francis in gratitude for his declaration of St. Krikor Naregatsi as Doctor of the Church in 2015.

In his Angelus address on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, His Holiness Pope Francis highlights two key attitudes of Mary—amazement and fidelity—emphasizing the importance of cherishing God's blessings, showcasing gratitude, and making small, daily choices to welcome the Lord's presence.

By Francesca Merlo

Addressing the faithful gathered on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, His Holiness Pope Francis turned to the Gospel of the day, which recounts the Annunciation. In doing so, the Holy Father focused on two of Mary’s attitudes “that help us understand how she would have guarded the unique gift she received – a heart completely free from sin”.

These two attitudes, the Pope said, are “amazement regarding the works of God and fidelity in the simple things”.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, congratulated his children throughout the Coptic Orthodox Church on the approaching month of Kiahk, describing it as a beloved month in the Coptic Church, in which we remember our Virgin Mother and which is full of praise and Prayer. He called on everyone to Pray throughout the month of Kiahk for the wars currently taking place.

This came before the start of his weekly sermon at the Wednesday meeting that was held on the evening of Wednesday 6 December 2023, in the ancient church of the martyr Philopateer Mercurius “Abu Sefein” in Old Cairo.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II said: “We pray from our hearts for God to grant grace, wisdom, and good management to those in authority around the world.”

On December 7th, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President for the Catholic Family, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, at the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon.

The discussion encompassed the recent Vatican Synod of Synodality, the international conference commemorating the 850th anniversary of the passing of St. Nerses the Gracious, the situation of displaced Artsakh Armenians in Armenia, and the current state of Lebanon.

Under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and organized by the Christian Education Department of the Holy See of Cilicia, students from the Sunday school of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon gathered at the Catholicosate in Antelias on the morning of Saturday, December 2nd. They participated in the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by the Director of the Christian Education Department, V. Rev. Fr. Stepanos Pashayan, followed by a meeting with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I.

This assembly follows a customary practice, aligning with the celebration of Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew, the patron saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the first enlighteners of Armenia. Additionally, this event is recognized as "Sunday School Day."

Meeting this week in the Vatican, His Holiness Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals agreed on the need to listen to the “the feminine aspect” of the Church, especially at the local level, “so that processes of reflection and decision making can benefit from the irreplaceable contribution of women.”

By Christopher Wells

The full Council of Cardinals was present at the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican for its most recent session, which focused primarily on the topic of “the feminine role in the Church.”

The conversation benefitted from the insights of theologians Sr Linda Pocher, Dr Lucia Vantini, and Fr Luca Castiglioni, all of whom hold teaching positions in Italian institutes of higher learning.

On December 2nd, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, launched the “Shagher” platform for job opportunities, during the follow-up conference of the First Gathering of the Syrian Christian Youth Leaders, convened at Ebla Conference Center in Damascus, Syria.

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, His Holiness Pope Francis will pay homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary with a Golden Rose placed at the feet of the ancient Roman icon of 'Maria Salus Populi Romani'.

By Vatican News

His Holiness Pope Francis will venerate Our Lady with a Golden Rose for the Marian icon of the Salus Populi Romani in the Basilica of St. Mary Major on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

He will travel to the Basilica on 8 December to accomplish this historic gesture which has not been performed in 400 years.

In the afternoon, as is traditional, the Pope will perform an Act of Veneration to the Blessed Virgin Mary before the statue of the Immaculate Conception in Rome’s central Piazza di Spagna.

Just ahead of that visit, he will stop at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major with his gift for Our Lady.

On Monday, November 21/December 4, 2023, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary into the Temple.

During this Feast, the Church, especially that of Jerusalem, remembers that the parents of the Mother of God, fulfilling their promise, dedicated her when she was three years old to the Temple of Solomon, where she remained in the Holy of Holies, nourished by the angels and obeying the Priests of the Temple. She prayed for the Lord’s people, and for the virgins and prepared for the great work of the incarnation of the Son and Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. With the entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, the Divine Grace in the Spirit of God is brought into humanity.

Mc 13,33-37

We begin the Advent journey with a Gospel passage from Mark (13:33-37), which highlights the concept of a home.

To speak of watchfulness, in fact, Jesus tells a short parable in which we see a man go off on a journey and leave his house in the hands of his servants, entrusting each with a different task.

To the doorkeeper of the house, he entrusts the command to be vigilant, because, sooner or later, the master will return home, and he will want to find his servants awake to welcome him.

So the first thing this Gospel passage highlights is this: the Lord Jesus is like someone who has left home and wants to return, he is on his way back to his home. But what is this home, where is it?

It may be helpful for us to begin the journey of Advent by remembering that God's home is us: all of Mankind, the Church, each one of us.

We are his house because Jesus came to dwell among us. The journey of following him can be summarized as a journey of becoming more and more a dwelling place for the Lord, to become his house. 

During the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, to the Eastern United States, as previously reported, he was honored with an invitation to serve as the Guest Chaplain of the US House of Representatives. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I delivered the Opening Prayer before the session, a prayer he composed. In this Prayer, he highlighted that “more than 100,000 Armenian refugees who recently were forced to leave Nagorno-Karabakh, their centuries-old homeland, (…) face huge difficulties and uncertainties.”

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin delivers His Holiness Pope Francis’ speech to delegates at the UN Climate Change Summit, urging world leaders not to postpone action any longer but to craft concrete and cohesive responses for the well-being of our common home and future generations.

By Linda Bordoni

Expressing regret for his impossibility to be present in Dubai for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, His Holiness Pope Francis reiterated his belief that “the future of us all depends on the present that we now choose.”

This year’s UN Summit comes in the wake of a year of record heat and drought and features a contentious set of issues for countries working to find common ground in tackling climate change.