His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, is departing for a Pontifical visit to the Eastern Prelacy of the United States, which includes Armenian communities in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, and other regions. It’s worth noting that last year, in 2023, the Catholicos visited different communities of the same Diocese.

Prior to his visit to the United States, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I will make a brief stop in Switzerland.

His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has noted that Easter celebration in 2025 “will not merely be a fortuitous occurrence, but rather the beginning of a unified date for its observance by both Eastern and Western Christianity.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch said that this aspiration is particularly significant in light of the upcoming 1700th anniversary in 2025, marking the convening of the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea. 

“Among its pivotal discussions was the matter of establishing a common timeframe for the Easter festivities,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch in a Homily. “We are optimistic, as there is goodwill and willingness on both sides. Because, indeed, it is a scandal to celebrate separately the unique event of the one Resurrection of the One Lord!”

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, paid a Pontifical visit to the Lebanese Armenian village of Ainjar, Lebanon—home to descendants of those who once lived in Mousa Ler, now under Turkish occupation—on Sunday, September 15th, 2024, to partake in a significant triple celebration: the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachverats), the 85th anniversary of the village’s founding, and the 109th anniversary of the heroic battle of Mousa Ler.

Upon arrival, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was warmly received by the prelate of Lebanon, the mayor of Ainjar, Church Council representatives, members of the Armenian Embassy in Lebanon, local clergymen, Lebanese Armenian community members, and the faithful. Following the traditional blessing of salt and bread, the procession moved to St. Boghos (Peter) Church, where His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy and delivered a pontifical address. The ceremony concluded with the blessing of the madagh (sacrifice).

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The Procession of the icon of the Theotokos from Gethsemane to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem was held on August 23rd/September 5th, 2024.

At the beginning of this day, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Theotokos’ Tomb, followed by the Procession.

The Hegoumen of the Shrine, His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis was carrying the Icon of the Dormition before his chest as the Procession was led by the Nuns, Monks, the Byzantine choir, the Hierodeacons and the Priests, surrounded by a crowd of faithful, under the chanting of the hymns of the Dormition.

The Procession marched in front of the Shrines of Saint Stephen, Saint Anna, Saint Nicodemus, Praetorium, Saint Charalambos and Sayda Naya, with short supplications and special honour at the Christian Quarter.

At the mediation between the Patriarchate and the Christian Way, His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan, and the other Holy Sepulchre Fathers venerated the Holy Icon when the Procession reached them...

This video report, which was broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, presents a highlight on the shrine that was designed and created in the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator and Saint Elias the Prophet – Downtown Beirut, in order to place the Incorrupt Body of the Servant of God Catholicos Patriarch Krikor-Bedros XV Aghajanian. This ceremony will take place following an official celebration that will be held at the invitation of His Beatitude Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, on Thursday 12 September 2024, in Beirut.

On the evening of Tuesday 10 September 2024, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, prayed the Vespers of the Feast of Nayrouz (Coptic New Year), at the Papal Residence in St. Mark’s Cathedral, Alexandria, Egypt.

Their Eminence the General Bishops supervising the pastoral sectors in Alexandria and Hegumen Abraam Emil (the Deputy General of the Patriarchate in Alexandria) participated in the Prayers. Also present were the wives of the Priests of Alexandria.

After the Vesper Prayers, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II held a meeting with the Priests' wives, during which, he listened to them and answered their questions and suggestions. His Holiness Pope Tawadros then gave a speech, at the beginning of which he congratulated the people of the Coptic Church throughout the See of Mark on the beginning of the Coptic New Year, known as the Feast of Nayrouz, noting that it is celebrated for 16 days and the celebration ends with the Feast of the Cross.

In 2016, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, published “The Armenian Church,” a comprehensive account of the Armenian Orthodox Church that covers its history, structure, theology, rites and rituals. This significant work has been translated into Arabic, French, Persian, Russian, and German. Recently, the Greek translation was released, following a decision by the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church.

His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Community in Lebanon, presided over the Divine Liturgy, on Sunday 8 September 2024, on the occasion of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, in the Archangel Raphael Cathedral in Baabda, Lebanon, where he was assisted by Monsignor Raphael Trabelsi, the Episcopal Vicar General of the Diocese.

Following the Holy Bible reading, His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji delivered a Sermon that shed light on the meanings of the occasion and in which he launched the Jubilee Year on the occasion of the one hundred and fifty years of the Chaldean Presence in Lebanon.

In this context, the video report presents an overview about this Divine Liturgy and excerpts from His Eminence’s Sermon. 

On the occasion of the 150th jubilee of the Chaldean Presence in Lebanon, His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Community in Lebanon, was the guest of Father Charbel El Khoury, in a special episode of “La Takhaf” (“Don’t Be Afraid”) program on Télé Lumiere and Noursat, which you can watch it in this video.

On September 8, 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 on the occasion of the Feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, at St. Mary and St. Jacob of Nisibin Church in Montreal.

During the Qurobo, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Athanasius Elia Bahi, Patriarchal Vicar of Canada.

Saydnaya, Syria, September 7, 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, held the Ceremonial Vespers Service for the Nativity of the Mother of God at the Patriarchal Monastery Our Lady of Saydnaya, in the presence of Their Eminence Reverend Bishops: Romanos (Al Hannat), Mousa (Al Khoury), Arsenios (Dahdal) and Mousa (Al Khasi). The Governor of the Damascus Countryside, Ahmed Ibrahim Khalil, Mother Febronia, Abbess of the Monastery, and Reverend Archimandrite Gerasimos Kabbas, Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery Saint George of Al-Humayra were also present, with a number of Priests, Deacons, Monks and Nuns. Many security, military and religious figures attended the Prayer as well…

Mk 7:31-37

In today’s Gospel passage (Mk 7:31-37), the protagonist is a man who is deaf and mute.

There is a profound symbolism found in an individual afflicted with an incurable disease: If human existence relies on relationships, which are formed only though communication, thus through speech, then we can deduce that this man is half alive. He is unable to listen, nor express himself, he lives in a world of his own, isolated from everyone else.

Every illness was seen as a curse resulting from sin, as there needed to be someone to blame for this perceived flaw or imperfection in creation. It certainly wasn't God, who makes all things well.

This hopeless man is presented with hope despite his inability to see it through his own darkness. His hope comes through certain unnamed figures who facilitate his healing. These people transcend mere resignation and apathy, taking on the responsibility of hoping for those who cannot muster hope themselves. They bring the sick man to Jesus and plead with Him to heal him (Mark 7:32).

And Honoring the Top Technical Diploma and High-school Students

On the evening of Wednesday 4 September 2024, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, delivered his weekly Sermon in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, Egypt. The Sermon was broadcasted on Christian satellite channels and the C.O.C channel of the Church’s Media Center on the Internet.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II prayed the raising of Incense Vespers, with the participation of the General Bishops supervising the pastoral sectors in Alexandria, Hegumen Abraam Emil (General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), the Priests of the Church, and a number of Priests of Alexandria.

After the Vesper Prayers, the top technical diploma and high-school students were celebrated. Father Karas Youssef (the official of the General Secretariat Service for the secondary stage in Alexandria), presented three examples of distinguished service attendees. He also presented the statistics and activities of the leaders of the service for the past year. A dialogue was held with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, during which he answered several questions related to the high school stage and its academic challenges. Following this, His Holiness Pope Tawadros honored 88 of the top technical diploma, high-school and equivalency degrees students.

Balamand, September 1, 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, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery in Lebanon, with the concelebration of Their Eminences Bishops Arsenios (Dahdal), Moussa (Al-Khasi), and a group of Clergymen.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Patriarch John X held the Litany for the Indiction, on the occasion of the beginning of the Ecclesiastic Year.

Mk 7,1-8.14-15.21-23

This Sunday's Liturgy of the Word takes us back into Mark's Gospel, after reading the entire Sixth Chapter of John's Gospel over the past few weeks.

The passage we read comes from Chapter 7 of Mark, not coincidentally placed between the two instances of bread multiplication, reported by the evangelist: the first takes place in the land of Israel; the second is in pagan land.

To get from one bank to the other a crossing must be made, not only physically, but also in terms of mentality and thinking.

1Chr 13:6-8; 16:1-2.4.8-9.34-36; Heb 9:11-24; Luke 1:26-38

Dear brothers and sisters,
may the Lord give you peace!

Let us thank the Lord together for this beautiful time of fraternity, of church gathering and joy. The reopening of a church after a long period of closure, the dedication of a new altar, the participation of the various faithful of our Church of the Holy Land in this event, are a tangible sign of a renewed commitment, they express the desire to continue our mission in the Holy Land, they are a sign of a new beginning, of rebirth, in a certain sense. It is therefore a moment of grace, a bright glimpse into the future for the life of our Church and our people. In this context of war, where everything seems to talk of closure and of end, it seems to me that it can be said that our Church today, here, in this place, also thanks to our Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, is renewing her “yes” by uniting it to that of Mary, the Ark of the Covenant, and renewing her trust in the work of God, the Lord of history.

Sixteen kilometers from Jerusalem, the hill of Kiryat Yearim, where the Ark of the Covenant resided for 20 years, today bears witness to God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The Church of Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant for the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition marked its centenary on Saturday, August 31, 2024. It celebrated the reopening of its doors following two years of renovations.

The centenary celebration and dedication of the new altar were led by His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, along with Msgr. Bolous-Marcuzzo, Bishop Emeritus, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, and a delegation of bishops, alongside numerous priests. The event was also attended by Mr. Nicolas Kassianides, the French Consul General in Jerusalem, his wife, and representatives from Malta.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Wednesday, the 15th / 28th of August 2024, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the Holy Church of the Dormition, built in AD 317, containing the sacred Tomb of the Theotokos.

During this Feast, the whole Church, especially that of Jerusalem, remembers that the Mother of God, daughter of the Holy Ancestors of God Joachim and Anna and mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, fell asleep on the ground of Zion and was buried by the “God’s Spirit” gathered Holy Apostles in Gethsemane. The Lord took her God-bearing body in His hands and made her sit down at His right hand, so that there, above the heavenly orders, first after God of the triumphant Church, she prays for those who honour her and for the whole world.

In a video message accompanying his Prayer intention for September, His Holiness Pope Francis prays that "each of us might listen with our hearts to the cry of the earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit."

By Christopher Wells

Considering rising temperatures around the globe, we can say the earth has a “fever”, His Holiness Pope Francis says in his video-message announcing this month’s Prayer intention.

The earth “is sick”, he continues, “just like anyone who’s sick”.

“But are we listening to this pain?” he asks. “Do we hear the pain of the millions of victims of environmental catastrophes."

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Archbishop of Constantinople, shared a message on the opening of Season of Creation 2024. 

“The environmental threat is a dimension of the extended crisis in contemporary civilization,” stated the Ecumenical Patriarch. “In this sense, confronting the problem cannot be successful on the basis of the principles of the same civilization, of the rationale behind it, which created it in the first place.”

He reiterated the conviction that churches and religions can contribute significantly to a vital spiritual and evaluative conversion for the sake of the future of humanity and the planet. “The Christian faith recognizes the supreme value of humanity and creation alike,” he said. “Faith in the God of wisdom and love inspires and supports the creative forces of humankind, strengthening it in the face of challenges and trials, even when overcoming these appears humanly impossible.”