On Friday 27 December 2024, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, anointed the relics of Saint John Kame the priest at the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and Saint John Kame (El-Sourian Monastery) in Wadi El-Natroun.

His Holiness delivered a spiritual message to the monks.

Damascus, December 26, 2024

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, presented to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family his wishes for the Feasts and expressed the solidarity of the Coptic Church with the Church of Antioch in the events of Syria. For his part, His Beatitude John thanked His Holiness for this fraternal stance, conveying the love of the children of the Church of Antioch for the Coptic Church.

In continuation of a longstanding tradition, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, extends his blessings for the New Year and Christmas through visits to institutions in Lebanon dedicated to social service within the Armenian community.

“Birds’ Nest” Orphanage

On Wednesday, December 18th, 2024, His Holiness paid a visit to the “Birds’ Nest” orphanage. He appreciated the opportunity to spend time with the children, who performed Christmas songs and showcased their creative crafts. His Holiness bestowed blessings upon the children and praised the administration, led by V. Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian and V. Rev. Fr. Antranig Keurenian, as well as the women’s auxiliary, staff, benefactors, and supporters of the institution. His Holiness departed after presenting them with gifts.

On Wednesday, December 12th/25th, 2024, the memory of our Holy Father Spyridon, Bishop of TrImithus the Wonderworker, was celebrated in his holy Monastery, located within the walls of Damascus.

On this feast day, the Church remembers St. Spyridon from Cyprus. He lived during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great and his son Constantius. He was a married priest and the father of a daughter, living as a shepherd of sheep. After the death of his wife, he became a shepherd of rational sheep in his Christian and priestly vocation. He was elected Bishop of Trimithus, a historic city on the island of Cyprus, the first episcopate of St. Lazarus, the friend of our Lord Jesus Christ, during the early Christian years.

Today's Gospel (Luke 2:41-52) describes Jesus' journey with his family to Jerusalem for the Passover.

The first element that strikes us is that the whole passage is permeated with tension.

On the one hand, we find elements of tradition with all the rites and customs that the people of God had to observe: the evangelist Luke repeats that Jesus' parents went up to Jerusalem every year (2:41), and this year they also went up according to custom (2:42). And he indicates that they will stay there for the necessary days to take part in the rites of the feast.

And not only that: he also indicates that this pilgrimage is a family ritual, which points to the close affiliation to a clan, to an extended family: they set off again from Jerusalem in the certainty that Jesus is with them, and if they do not find him, they look for him among relatives and acquaintances (Lk 2:44).

Prot. N. 38 (3)/2024 

Message to the faithful of the Holy Land from the ACOHL 
Hope does not disappoint 

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Church who lives “as a pilgrim and guest” (1 Pt. 2:11; Heb. 11:13) in the Holy Land,
may the Lord give you peace! 

Pope Francis, in keeping with an age-old tradition, proclaimed 2025 a Holy Year, a year of special forgiveness and mercy from God, and December 24 last he opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s in Rome to begin this Jubilee.  

As Ordinaries of the Holy Land, December 29 next, we too will open the Jubilee with a solemn celebration at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, at the very place where the Virgin Mary opened her heart to the angel’s announcement and her womb to the Son of God so that He could be incarnate by the working of the Holy Spirit. With this act, both in Rome and Jerusalem the doors of divine mercy and reconciliation will be thrown wide open to all men and women who wish to experience divine forgiveness and its effects in a profound way.  

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark extended his congratulations to His Beatitude Patriarch Ibrahim Ishak, Patriarch of the Catholic Copts in Egypt, on the occasion of the Glorious Feast of Nativity, which several Christian Churches will celebrate.

His Holiness visited the headquarters of the Catholic Coptic Patriarchate in Kobri El-Qobba. He was received by His Beatitude the Patriarch along with several Catholic bishops, clergy, and nuns.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, extended his congratulations on Wednesday 25 December 2024, to His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa for the Greek Orthodox, on the occasion of the Glorious Feast of the Nativity, which is being celebrated today according to the Western calendar.

His Holiness Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica thereby officially inaugurating the 2025 Jubilee of Hope. He reassures during his Christmas evening Mass that the Christ Child of Bethlehem offers the world infinite hope and joy.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

As Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica, the evening of 24 December 2024, he ushered in the widely-anticipated 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.

With the liturgical gesture of the Door's opening at the start of the Christmas Mass during the Night, as explained in the papal bull for the Jubilee Spes non confundit, the Pope inaugurated the Ordinary Jubilee, a historic event taking place every 25 years.

Wishing everyone a "a serene and blessed Christmas," His Holiness Pope Francis celebrates the joy of this day on which we celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus, "the mystery that never ceases to amaze and move us." He underscores how "the door of God's heart is always open" and may we "be reconciled with God" and with one another for a world marked by peace and harmony.

By Thaddeus Jones

“The mystery that never ceases to amaze and move us was renewed this night: the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. That is how the shepherds of Bethlehem, filled with joy, found him, as the angels sang: 'Glory to God and peace to men'”

On Thursday, December 6/19, 2024, the feast of our Holy Father Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Lycia the Wonderworker, was celebrated by the Patriarchate Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

On this feast day, the Church remembers that Saint Nicholas lived during the time of Emperor Constantine the Great, participated in the First Ecumenical Council in 325, defended the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father, and reposed around 330 A.D.

As the Church sings in his Apolytikion: The truth of things revealed him as a rule of faith and an image of gentleness, and he acquired the high through humility and the rich through poverty. By his miraculous power, he saved “the innocent from death” and many others, who were in great danger at sea, which is why he is honoured as the protector of sailors.

His feast was celebrated:

1. In the Holy Church dedicated to him in Beit Jala, with many events of blessing and reverence, especially through the Divine Liturgy, which was presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), with the co-celebration of the Elder Chief Secretary, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, as well as the parish priests Father Joseph, Father Elias, and Father Paul, and Archimandrite Silouanos, and the representative of the Russian MISSIA, Archimandrite Vassianos, with the pious participation of a large congregation, and in the presence of the General Consul of Greece in Jerusalem, Mr Dimitrios Angelopoulos.

Press Release – Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Jerusalem/Gaza City, December 23, 2024

His Beatitude Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, concluded his solidarity visit to the Christian community in Gaza this morning.

During the visit Cardinal Pizzaballa presided over the Eucharistic celebration of the Nativity of the Lord at the Holy Family Church, praying with the faithful and bringing a message of hope and resilience to the parish community.

His Beatitude also met with Archbishop Alexios at the Greek Orthodox parish of St. Porphyrius, highlighting the spirit of fraternity and unity among Gaza’s Christian communities.

Is. 9,1:16; Tit. 2,11:14; Lk. 2,1:14

(opening greetings)

Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

I frankly admit that it is hard for me this year to announce the joy of Christ’s birth to you here and to all those who look to Bethlehem from all over the world.

The Angels' song of glory, joy and peace seems to be out of tune after a tiring year full of tears, bloodshed, suffering, in addition to shattered hopes and crushed plans for peace and justice. A sad cry seems to choke the song, and powerless anger seems to paralyze every path of hope.

Over the past few weeks, I have asked myself several times how to live with this burden and even more so how to leave it behind. I have struggled with the unpleasant feeling that words, even faith-based ones, are useless when faced with the harshness of reality and a suffering that plainly seems to have no end in sight.

The figure of the Shepherds (of the Christmas story) came to my rescue as the inspiration for me to follow together with the bishops and priests of this land. We are to keep vigil in the night watching over the flock. On that night, which is this very night, they listened to the angels and believed them.

The Lord’s Nativity is near, and as every year, despite everything we want it to be a moment of peace, joy, and hope. This year, the Nativity also marks the beginning of the Jubilee, a year dedicated to hope. We need hope in this land, marked by so much violence, hatred and wounded by contempt and fear. 

The shepherds of Bethlehem, as mentioned in the Gospel, indicate to us how to find hope. 

The angel who brings the announcement of the birth of Jesus to the shepherds uses a meaningful expression: he says that a Savior has been born in Bethlehem, and that this Savior is born “for you” (Lk. 2:11). The life of Jesus begins as a life lived for others. He did not come to impose obligations, like the rulers of the earth, like Caesar Augustus, who forced everyone to be enrolled in a census (Lk. 2:1-3). Jesus came to be a sign: “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes” (Lk. 2:12). A sign of closeness, of peace, and of a renewed relationship between God and mankind. A sign in a manger, where food is given, in the city of Bethlehem, which means “house of bread”. A sign that nourishes hunger for life. 

All the existence of Jesus until the end, will be a life spent for others, until He Himself becomes bread, offered, again, “for you” (Lk. 22:19)…

"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (1 John 4: 9)

Our beloved Children in Christ,

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4: 9)

This year, the star of the Nativity shines once again over our Orient – a region burdened by suffering, weary from wars, and overwhelmed by uncertainty and fear of the unknown. Yet it shines brightly, proclaiming the miraculous birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, a birth that took place over two thousand years ago as a message of salvation for all humanity. The birth of our Lord Jesus reveals the boundless mercy and infinite love of God the Father, renewing within us the reason for hope (1 Peter 3:15). It radiates light to the farthest reaches of the earth, dispelling the darkness of fear and filling the hearts of those who have suffered torment, injustice, and oppression with a longing for a new and better life. This divine incarnation is a pathway of freedom for all who reject bondage, a voice of truth for the oppressed, and a beacon of life for those who seek it. It heralds the arrival of the Lord of Life, Jesus Christ, who proclaimed: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14: 6).

The birth of Christ is an invitation to embrace a better way of living, one founded on peace and crowned with joy, joy that cannot be taken away from us. This joy announced by the angels to the shepherds on that holy night was promised to us by our Lord who said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10: 10). In the face of the fears and challenges that surround us, whether in the East, where we struggle to maintain our very existence, or in the West, where we encounter trials that test our faith, God the Father’s endless mercy offers humanity once again the cure for life: His incarnate Word, the child Jesus Christ…

from His Beatitude Patriarch John X

By the mercy of God Almighty,

His Beatitude Patriarch John X,

Patriarch of Antioch and All the East,

To

My brethren, shepherds of the holy Church of Antioch,

and my beloved sons and daughters, wherever you may be in the bounds of this Apostolic See:

"The peoples were enrolled by the decree of Caesar, but we, the faithful, have been inscribed in the name of Your divinity."

With these words, penned by the hymnographer Kassiani, the Holy Church invites us to reflect on the Nativity of Christ. It calls us to contemplate the condescension of God the Word during those days when a census of the whole world was ordered. This event, placed before us by the Church, becomes an invitation to enroll ourselves—heart and soul—in the name of Christ. It invites us to belong to Him alone, to be witnesses to His love, witnesses to the greatness of His condescension, witnesses to His Gospel, witnesses to His divinity—a divinity that did not disdain to descend and address a creation that It loved, a humanity fallen in its pride and cast from its glory, only to be met by a Savior who restores it to its former glory…

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the appointment of Fr. Iyad Twal as Auxiliary Bishop.
The date and place of his Episcopal Consecration shall be communicated soon. Please keep the Bishop elect in your prayers.

Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her (Is. 66,10)

Dearest brothers and sisters,

may the Lord give you peace!

With gratitude and joy I announce to you that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has designated Fr. Iyad Twal as Auxiliary Bishop for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and has assigned him the Titular See of Siminina. Strengthened by the fullness of priestly ministry, the Bishop-elect shall begin a new mission as Patriarchal Vicar for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Fr. Iyad was born and raised in Jordan, but has served the Church of Jerusalem extensively in a variety of roles. In recent years he has been especially focused on teaching and administration in the field  higher education at Bethlehem University. After years of priestly ministry, he is now called from the very heart of the Mother Church to be a Successor of the Apostles with the mandate to teach, govern and sanctify the People of God…

Lk 1:39-45

Today’s Gospel passage (Lk 1:39-45) tells us about the encounter between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth: Mary has just received the announcement from the angel Gabriel and immediately sets off (“In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country” - Lk 1:39).

The first element we take from this passage is precisely this: the Lord Jesus, who has just been conceived in his mother’s womb, sets off at once. That is, he begins to do what He will do throughout his earthly life, from the moment of his baptism. He will go to meet people, to bring salvation, to proclaim the Kingdom of God, his ultimate closeness to people. And not only that. He sets out to meet those who welcome him and make him part of their lives.

Mary, who welcomed the Lord, actually sets out on the way. The life of those who listen, of those who welcome, is a life that takes the risk of movement, of change. The listener cannot remain as before.

“Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth” (Luke 2/14)

It is nothing but words of hope from heaven for the future of fatigued humanity

In the midst of the current exceptional situation that the nations of our region are experiencing with anxiety and fear, Christians are preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ, the birth of hope, fraternity values, love, peace, security and goodness for all. The mission of Christ was and still is for humanity to be more honest living in an environment well-intentioned for human dignity. In other words, we should re-born from God to initiate a new journey.

While the Chaldean Church does not hide its concern and fears regarding what is happening, it confirms that Christmas prayers are for peace and security in the region and around the world. Also, it expresses its solidarity with all those living in difficult and apprehensive circumstances as well as the humanitarian needs in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere.