His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, presided over the Sunday Divine Liturgy on January 28th, 2024, held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Sharjah. The liturgy was celebrated by the Prelate of UAE and Qatar, His Grace Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian.

Before inviting His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to address the faithful, the Prelate extended a warm welcome, acknowledging the significance of His Holiness's visit and reflecting on the consecration of the church by His Holiness, 25 years ago. He emphasized that this blessed visit would serve as a catalyst for the revitalization of the community, expressing filial gratitude and extending wishes for a long and healthy reign to Catholicos Aram I. His Grace Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian also conveyed greetings to Arch. Oshagan, the first prelate of the UAE and Qatar, as well as to the servants and volunteers of the Church.

The twentieth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place in Rome from January 22-26, 2024 and was hosted by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

‏It was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and by His Grace Bishop Kyrillos, Coptic Orthodox Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles, California, USA.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, and Mor Polycarpus Augeen Aydin, Patriarchal Vicar in The Netherlands, represented our Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch in the meeting, as well as representatives from the Catholic Church and from the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

‏The two delegations met separately on the morning of January 22. Plenary sessions were held from January 22 to 26, each day beginning with a brief prayer service based on material prepared for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

His Holiness Pope Francis releases his Prayer intention for the month of February 2024, and invites everyone to pray for the terminally ill and their families.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

His Holiness Pope Francis' monthly Prayer intention this February is for the terminally ill and their families.

The Pope invited the Church to pray for this intention in this month's The Pope Video, which is entrusted to the entire Catholic Church through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

This month's Video comes during the month in which the Church observes the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, 11 February, on which the World Day of the Sick takes place.

His Holiness Pope Francis explains that “when some people talk about terminal illnesses, there are two words they often confuse: incurable and un-'carable.' But they are not the same.”

“We emphasize the depth of the relationship between our Churches and work together to confront all challenges”

Damascus, Syria, January 29, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, received the Most Reverend Metropolitan Anthony, Chairman of the Department of Foreign Relations at the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia, at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Damascus. The meeting was attended by the Russian Ambassador to Damascus, His Excellency Alexander Yefimov, Archpriest Nicolay Balashov, the Rt.Rev. Archimandrite Philip Vasiliev, representing the Russian Patriarch to the Antiochian Patriarch, Father Igor Yakimchuk, and Father Alexander Yershov. On the Antiochian side, Their Graces bishops Romanos (Al-Hannat), Moussa (Al-Khoury), Ioannis Batach, and Dr. Hassan Risha attended.

On January 29, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and MECC Honorary President, visited His Highness Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar Maharaja of Mysore, at the Mysore Palace, in India.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Dioscoros Kuriakose, Metropolitan of the Simhasana Churches of Northern Kerala, Mor Eustatheus Isaac, Metropolitan of Bangalore, Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, accompanied His Holiness during the visit…

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and representative of His Holiness Pope Francis in the Holy Land, undertook a pastoral visit to the Arab Catholic community at Our Lady of the Ridge Church on Saturday, January 27, 2024. The anticipated event drew over 400 Arab Catholics, along with the attendance of Archdiocesan Bishops, Clergy, and esteemed members of the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre.

During his visit to Our Lady of the Ridge Church, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa engaged with the Our Lady of the Holy Land community, a group dedicated to serving Arab Catholics…

His Holiness Pope Francis highlights the dialogue of charity, truth, and life in his address to the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

By Christopher Wells

His Holiness Pope Francis on Friday received members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches at the Vatican, on the twentieth anniversary of the Commission’s foundation.

With approximately 50 million members throughout the world, the Oriental Orthodox Churches represent an ancient Christian tradition that recognizes the first three Ecumenical Councils, while adhering to a “miaphysite” Christology – the subject of ongoing ecumenical discussion.

In his address on Friday 26 January 2024, His Holiness Pope Francis encouraged Commission members to continue to “pray and work tirelessly in the service of communion and in countering the famine of peace spreading throughout so many parts of the earth.”

A special seminar on Armenian Evangelical worship was held on 20 January 2024, organized by the the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE)’s Central Committee, led by Reverend Nishan Bakalian. Over 70 participants gathered in the Hassessian Hall of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Nor Marash, Lebanon, for this one-day seminar, in order to examine the foundations of worship, its Armenian Evangelical expression and content, and the process of preparing a worship service. The participants, active workers in Armenian Evangelical churches and schools in Lebanon, also heard Armenian Evangelical Pastors relate their experiences on the day’s subject.

Reverend Bakalian gave special emphasis to the fundamental role of the personal spiritual life of the one preparing a worship service, in order to properly guide worshipers toward God. He also gave various definitions of “worship” as food for thought, such as “Telling the story of Jesus”.

His Holiness Pope Francis presides over Ecumenical Vespers to close the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and invites all Christians to avoid the devil’s trap of division through prayerful, selfless service.

By Devin Watkins

“Only a love that becomes gratuitous service, only the love that Jesus taught and embodied, will bring separated Christians closer to one another.”

His Holiness Pope Francis offered that invitation on Thursday 25 January 2024 evening in his homily at an ecumenical Evening Prayer service held in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

At the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Pope joined the heads and representatives of various Churches for Vespers, including Metropolitan Polycarp of Italy, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, addressed the faithful at the Srpots Nahadagats (Holy Martyrs) Church in Abu Dhabi during the second day of his Pontifical visit to the Armenian Diocese of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, on Tuesday, January 24th, 2024.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was warmly welcomed at the gates of the church by Prelate His Grace Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian, the Pontifical Vicar of the Kuwait Diocese V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manouelian, the pastor of the said church, V. Rev. Fr. Vatche Balekjian, the Pastor of the Dubai and northern UAE community Rev. Fr. Aram Deyirmenjian, the co-chair of the Central Council of the Catholicosate, Krikor Mahserejian, the chair of the Armenian National Representatives Assembly (NRA) of the Diocese, Mr. Varoujan Nerguizian, members of the NRA, Diocesan Executive Council, local parish committee, students of the Ara Khanoyan Armenian school, and the faithful.

With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and MECC Honorary President, on January 22nd, 2024, His Eminence Arch. Nareg Alemezian visited His Beatitude Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

The discussion primarily focused on the current situation in Lebanon, where His Eminence Arch. Nareg conveyed His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s concerns and thoughts regarding the ongoing issues. Additionally, His Eminence Arch. Nareg briefed His Beatitude Cardinal Parolin on His Holiness’ official visit to Qatar and his meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister.

Given the close acquaintance with the Catholicos, the Cardinal acknowledges and salutes His Holiness’ dedicated efforts in Lebanon and his contributions to the Ecumenical and interreligious spheres.

On January 25, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and MECC Honorary President, arrived to Bangalore International Airport, beginning his Apostolic visit to India.

His Holiness was accompanied by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, and Deacon Elie Zouky.

In his message for the 58th World Day of Social Communications, His Holiness Pope Francis urges humanity to cultivate wisdom of the heart in the age of artificial intelligence.

By Francesca Merlo

His Holiness Pope Francis has released his message for the 2024 World Day of Social Communications, focusing on the theme: Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication.

Celebrated on 12 May, this year's theme is closely linked to the Pope’s message for the World Day of Peace, which was devoted to the development of systems of artificial intelligence (AI).

Under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, the two-day conference on Armenia, Artsakh, and regional developments concluded its sessions on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, addressing critical issues related to the depopulation of Artsakh. Noteworthy statements emerged from the conference, including the unanimous characterization of the depopulation of Artsakh as genocide by international law experts and genocide scholars. The conference drew parallels to the historical Armenian Genocide, emphasizing the alarming international indifference surrounding the depopulation of Artsakh.

Mark 1:14-20

This Sunday's Gospel (Mark 1:14-20) takes us to the shores of Lake Tiberias in Galilee, where Jesus goes after his baptism along the Jordan River.

Upon learning the news of the Baptist's arrest, Jesus leaves Judea and returns to the place where he grew up, where he begins his public ministry.

The evangelist Mark tells us that this beginning is fulfilled in two ways: first, Jesus announces that the time is fulfilled and that the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mk 1:15); then, passing along the shores of the lake, he calls four men, who were working there, and invites them to follow him (Mk 1:16-20).

To get into this passage, I would first like to pause on one of the first words spoken by Jesus. After saying that a new time is beginning, Jesus invites everyone to conversion, "Repent" (Mk 1:15).

It may happen to think that to convert means to enact different attitudes, a radical change of life to be achieved with considerable personal effort. Or that a conversion necessarily depends on striking events, like that of St. Paul on the road to Damascus…

With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and MECC Honorary President, His Eminence Archbishop Nareg Alemezian met with His Beatitude Cardinal Kurt Koch, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, on January 18th, 2024.

The discussions centered around various aspects of the Ecumenical movement, including relations between the Vatican and the Holy See of Cilicia, as well as the ongoing Theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the family of Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Balamand, Lebanon, January 21, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand, assisted by His Eminence the Most Revrend Metropolitan Antonios (Houran) in the Service. The Ceremony was attended by the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Gerasimos Kabbas, Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George Al- Homeyra, Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Georges Yaacoub, Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand, Rt. Rev.Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology in Balamand, and several Fathers, Priests, Deacons, and the choir of the Institute who served during the Liturgy.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Patriarch John X reflected on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians (3: 4-11), recited during the Liturgy, continuing until Colossians (3: 12-15). In these passages, the Apostle outlines the Christian way of life and the essence of the struggle that every believer undertakes after being baptized.

At the Angelus, His Holiness Pope Francis announces a “Year of Prayer” ahead of the upcoming Jubilee, and invites the faithful to pray for Christian unity and for peace throughout the world. The Holy Father also calls for the release of a group of people, including several nuns, who were kidnapped last week in Haiti.

By Christopher Wells

His Holiness Pope Francis has inaugurated a Year of Prayer ahead of the 2025 Jubilee, calling on the faithful “to intensify prayer to prepare us to live well this event of grace and to experience the power of God’s hope.”

On January 18, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and MECC Honorary President for the Oriental Orthodox Family, visited his brother in Christ His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and MECC Honorary President for the Oriental Orthodox Family, at the Headquarters of the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon, to offer him Christmas greetings.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was accompanied by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Gomidas Ohanian, Dean of the Cathedral, and Shahan Sarkissian, Director of the “Cilicia Catholicosate” Library, were also present.

On January 18, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and MECC Honorary President for the Oriental Orthodox Family, received his brother in Christ His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President, at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian was accompanied by Msgr. Patrick Mouradian, General Patriarchal Vicar, Msgr. Nareg Namoyan, Fr. Raffi Ohannesian, and Mr. Charbel Bastouri, Director of Public Relations.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Severius Roger Akhrass, Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, also attended the meeting.