His Holiness Pope Francis meets a group of families of victims of the 2020 devastating explosion at the port of Beirut, expressing solidarity in their quest for truth and justice, and again invokes peace in the Middle East.

By Lisa Zengarini  

Greeting the 30-member delegation in the Consistory Hall on Monday,  His Holiness Pope Francis conveyed his closeness to the Lebanese families, saying that he continues to pray for them and shares in their grief. 

“I continue to keep you and your loved ones in my prayers, and I join my tears to your own.”

You can find the statement issued by Their Beatitudes the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem on the urgent need to conclude the present war and turn from the pursuit of death and destruction towards the promotion of life and peace.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, participated on monday the 26th of August 2024, in one of the youth workshops within the program of the Fourth LOGOS Coptic Youth Forum, whose activities are currently taking place at the LOGOS Center in St Bishoy’s Monastery; Wadi El-Natroun, under the title: “Take a Step.”

The group that His Holiness Pope Tawadros II met with is one of the five groups of the forum.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Sunday, August 12/25, 2024, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the Procession of the icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos marched from the Metochion of Gethsemane, located in front of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre down to the Theotokos’ Tomb in Gethsemane.

This contrite majestic ceremony began early in the morning after the Night Vigil in the holy chapel of the Dormition in Metochion, which was led by Archimandrite Philoumenos.

On Sunday the 25th of August 2024; the second day of the Fourth LOGOS Coptic Youth Forum, witnessed many varied sessions, which began with the Divine Liturgy at dawn, which was led by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. This was followed by breakfast, after that, Businessman Karim Sami Saad also gave a talk on the steps to establish and develop your own project.

The evening period included workshops, one of which had His Holiness Pope Tawadros II participating in extensive discussions on many topics that emerged from the youth’s questions, as he spoke to them about the Coptic Church in Egypt and its current spread outside it. The other groups’ workshops were: handicrafts, a panorama about artificial intelligence (AI) and how the Church service can benefit from it , and a Bible study group.

On Mariam TV

His Eminence Monsignor Raphael Trabelsi, the Episcopal Vicar General of the Chaldean Diocese of Beirut, was the guest of the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in an episode of the “On Time” program broadcasted on Mariam TV, to talk about the preparations of the Chaldean Church to celebrate its 150th Jubilee, in addition to the meanings that this jubilee carries.

Jn 6:60-69

At the conclusion of Jesus' discourse in John 6, similar to what occurs in the dialogues following other signs reported by the Evangelist John, two distinct groups emerge among those present: one group embraces the message and comprehends the sign, while the other group rejects it and remains unbelieving.

The sign is meant for everyone, but while some are touched by the grace and gifts of God revealed through Jesus' works, and experience a transformation in their lives, others find it difficult to open their hearts. Each person has their own timing and path. What remains certain is that the Father never ceases to draw us to Himself, as Jesus repeatedly highlighted in this discourse, trusting that eventually, everyone’s heart will find an opening.

What can create an opening in the hardened heart of man?

Today's passage provides us with opportunities for reflection.

On Thursday the 22th of August 2024, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, consecrated the Church of Virgin Mary and Archdeacon Habib Girgis in the Al-Magd neighborhood, in New Obour, Egypt. This was on the occasion of the Feast of Virgin Mary, which the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrated, and in conjunction with the Feast of the Departure of Archdeacon Habib Girgis.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II blessed the commemorative plaque that marks the consecration of the church, by drawing the sign of the Cross on it three times and cutting the ribbon on the church door to mark its official opening. His Holiness’ procession entered the Church, led by the choir of Deacons, singing the hymns of welcoming the Patriarch, amid great happiness and welcome from the congregation of the Church for Pope Tawadros.

On Tuesday evening, August 20th, 2024, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, received His Beatitude Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholic Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Catholic Family, who was accompanied by His Eminence Bishop Robert (Krikor) Badichah, Auxiliary Bishop of the Patriarchal Eparchy of Beirut.

“We stress the importance of building bridges of communication among Churches at a time when the logic of confrontation prevails”

Damascus, August 20, 2024

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, stressed the necessity of strengthening the principle of communication at a time when the logic of clash and disharmony prevails. This message was communicated during a recent communication with His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. The importance of building bridges of communication with other Churches of the Christian world through all bodies, dialogues, conferences and representative councils was also emphasized at a difficult time when countries and societies tend to replace the logic of encounter with the logic of clashes. The two Prelates also tackled the importance of the role of the Churches of Antioch and Jerusalem in preserving the Christian presence in the Middle East.

On the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto

On August 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 Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, presided over the Holy Qurobo celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Athanasius Elia Bahi, Patriarchal Vicar of Canada, on the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto.

Their Eminences Arcbishops: Mor Teethose Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of Northern America, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, also attended the holy Qurobo.

“We are connected with the Church of Cyprus by history and geography, as much as we are brethren in faith.”

Damascus, August 18, 2024

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, emphasized the depth of the relationship between the Church of Antioch and the Church of Cyprus. His Beatitude Patriarch John X uttered these words during a phone call to His Beatitude Archbishop Georgios, Archbishop of New Justinian and All Cyprus. The Patriarch emphasized the deep relations between the two churches, bound by ties of history and geography, and a brotherhood of faith that has been expressed for two thousand years.
The call meant to discuss ways to strengthen the fraternal bonds and the necessity of activating bridges of communication in the Orthodox Christian world in light of contemporary conflicts. His Beatitude also discussed the pivotal and important role and mission of the Middle East Council of Churches amidst the challenges that the region is witnessing.

On Monday, August 6/19, 2024, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Saviour on Mount Tabor was celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. On this Feast, the whole Church, especially the Church of Jerusalem, remembers that our Lord Jesus Christ, before His passion, took His pre-eminent disciples Peter and James and John “to the high mountain and was transfigured before them”.

According to the Evangelists, as well as to the Fathers of the Church, Jesus demonstrated to them the splendor of His divine nature, His face became brighter than the sun and His clothes whiter than the light, and Moses appeared as the representative of the dead, and Elijah as the representative of the living, speaking with Him about His passion, which was about to take place when He would come to Jerusalem. When these things were happening “a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice was heard from the cloud saying, this is my beloved son, in whom I am well-pleased, hear ye him”.

On the Pilgrimage Day of St. Mary Monastery and Eve of the Feast of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, presided over the Divine Liturgy held on the open-air Altar of the Monastery, in Bikfaya. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Prelate of Lebanon, His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian.

During the Liturgy, the Pontifical Procession, led by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, ascended the altar for the traditional ceremony of the Blessing of the Grapes and Madagh. The Catholicos conducted the ceremony, and subsequently, delivered the Sermon…

His Holiness Pope Francis sends a message to participants in the 2024 Rimini Meeting inviting them to become "beggars of the essential" by turning to Jesus Christ.

By Vatican News

His Holiness Pope Francis has sent a message to participants in the 2024 Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples, commonly known as the Rimini Meeting.

Each year, prominent politicians, entrepreneurs, representatives of religion and culture, intellectuals, artists, athletes, and others converge on the Italian city of Rimini for a cultural experience “driven by the desire to discover the beauty of reality”.

In his letter, signed by His Beatitude Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, His Holiness Pope Francis highlighted the theme for this year’s Meeting - “If we are not after the essential, what are we after?”

On August 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 Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Mary Church in Toronto.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was assisted by their Eminences: Mor Teethose Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of Northern America, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary.

"We bear witness to Christ in the very land where He was born and from where His Apostles set out. Hence the importance of the Christian presence in the Middle East"

Damascus, August 19, 2024

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, made a phone call with His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II, Greek Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. The call meant to discuss the fraternal relations between the two Churches. The Prelates addressed the situation in the Orthodox church and reviewed ways to enhance communication among Churches, at times where the world and the church are facing challenges that seek to undermine them in the guise of freedom. The two Prelates also discussed ways to enhance the role of the Churches as witness to Christ in the Middle East, the first cradle of Christianity. They also touched on the general situation in the region and the world, expressing the need to give precedence to the spirit of peace and dialogue over the logic of wars and conflicts that devastate humanity.

Jn 6:51-58

At the center of this Sunday's Gospel passage (Jn 6:51-58) we find the word life. Counting both adjectives and nouns and verbs related to this term, we find it at least 8 times. We could say that the discourse on bread is a discourse on life.

In John's Gospel, the question of life does not only return in this chapter.

In fact, the whole of the fourth Gospel shines the spotlight on this discourse, on this question: in John the theme of life returns again and again.

On August 17, 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 Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, celebrated the Holy Qurobo at Mor Barsaumo Church in Toronto - Canada.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was assisted by their Eminences: Mor Teethose Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of Northern America, Mor Athanasius Elia Bahi, Patriarchal Vicar of Canada, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary.

On August 17, 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 Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, attended an official reception held in his honor in Toronto.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Teethose Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of Northern America, Mor Athanasius Elia Bahi, Patriarchal Vicar of Canada, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, were also present.