The Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark in Alexandria witnessed the ordination of 12 new priests today (Saturday), by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark to serve in the churches of Alexandria.

His Holiness prayed the Divine Liturgy of Preparation Saturday 21 February 2025 for Great Lent morning, accompanied by the General Bishops overseeing the pastoral sectors of Alexandria, Hegumen Abraam Emil (the General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), and several priests from Alexandria.

His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, was speaking at a showing of the film “Via Dolorosa,” which narrates the path of sorrows from the place where Christianity was born and where its presence is now severely threatened.

The film, shown at the United Nations in Geneva on 18 February, details the Christian presence in Palestine, narrated through the eyes of its Christians and capturing important moments that have shaped their history, identity, and resilience. 

Patriarch Theophilos said, “We proudly commend this blessed work” of Amira Hanania, the film’s director, “as well as the granted auspices of the World Council of Churches and the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine, as well as all the other international organizations that lent their name and support.”

On January 27 and 28, 2025, the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches held an online meeting to evaluate the past 20 years of the commission’s work.

His Eminence Cardinal Czerny spends time during his mission in Lebanon to visit a refugee camp in Kfardlakos, Tripoli. The strip of land has tents and small structures giving minimal shelter to Syrian refugees Caritas serves with humanitarian aid as well as with a mobile health clinic.

At a press conference in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, members of His Holiness Pope Francis’s medical team say that he is not yet out of danger, and will be in hospital at least another week - but they note that he is joking as much as usual, and has even begun working again.

By Vatican News

Pope Francis is not “in danger of death”, but he’s also not fully “out of danger”, members of his medical team have said.

Although more fatigued, His Holiness Pope Francis spends Saturday sitting in an armchair, as blood transfusions were necessary and the prognosis remains guarded.

By Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office issued the following medical update on Pope Francis on Saturday evening:

The condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. Therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger. This morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen.

On February 21, 2025, 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, received His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate Headquarters in Bab Touma.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem

In the afternoon of Friday, 8th / 21st February 2025, in the Central Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, and as part of the Souls’ Saturday of the Triodion, after the Vespers Service, the Penitential Funeral Canon was chanted for the repose of the souls of the ever-memorable Patriarchs, blessed Archbishops, Priests, Deacons, and Monks, members of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. The service was presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, with the participation of the Holy Sepulchre Archbishops and Priests, during which the boiled wheat prayer of the first annual Soul Saturday was read.

Jerusalem – February 19, 2025

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

 With great concern, we, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, stand in steadfast solidarity with the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem in its pursuit of justice against an unjust foreclosure order issued by the Municipality of Jerusalem. The actions taken against the Arminian Patriarchate, based on an unverified and exorbitant Arnona Tax debt, are legally dubious and morally unacceptable.

It is inconceivable that Christian institutions, whose mission for centuries has been to safeguard faith, serve communities, and preserve the sacred heritage of the Holy Land, should now face the threat of property seizure under [Israeli] administrative measures that disregard due process. Particularly alarming is the municipality’s attempt to enforce a debt determination without judicial scrutiny, and in defiance of the governmental committee established to negotiate such matters in good faith. This reckless move jeopardizes the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate and sets a perilous precedent that could imperil Christian institutions throughout the Holy Land.

Lk 6:27-38

If we wanted to summarize today’s passage from the Gospel (Lk 6:27-38) in a single sentence, we could say the following: Blessed are those who end their lives with an accounting in the red.

We are still, as we were last Sunday, in the sixth chapter of Luke’s Gospel, in which the evangelist reports the “plain speech” that begins with the section on the Beatitudes. Today’s passage immediately follows Jesus’ words about the “beatitudes” and “woes,” and is a direct continuation of them, like an extension that deepens the message.

The term that recurs most frequently is the one that has to do with love and appreciation: “Love your enemies” (v. 27.35), “if you love those who love you” (v. 32). And next to it a whole series of words that express a declension of love: bless, offer, do not reject, give, do good, lend, be merciful, do not judge, forgive. To love means all these things.

"We emphasize the role of Austria and the European Union in supporting Syria's stability and work with everyone toward this goal"

Damascus, February 20, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, emphasized the role of Austria and the European Union in supporting Syria's stability. The Patriarch's remarks came during his meeting with the Head of the Austrian diplomatic Mission in Syria, Chargé d'Affaires, Her Excellency Mrs. Isabel Rauscher, and the Commercial Counselor at the Austrian Embassy, Mr. Herwig Nuiper, at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Damascus. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Head of the Mission to express the importance of the historical role of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in conveying the sentiments and the actual reality of the Syrian people.

An initiative has been launched by the Armenian Protestant Church in Aleppo, supported by the Dutch organization "Kerk in Actie," to provide training and support for 100 small projects. This is the fifth edition of the vocational training program in partnership with the Middle East Council of Churches.

The program aims to attract 100 young men and women affected by the earthquake and those with limited income, equipping them with skills needed to enter the job market across nine professional fields that meet local market demands. These fields include solar energy system installation and maintenance, electrical panel design, and computer and smartphone repair.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, officially congratulated President Ahmad Al-Sharaa on his election as President of Syria. In his letter, he expressed hope for a new and promising chapter in Syria’s history under the President’s leadership. Recognizing the challenges faced by the Syrian people, His Holiness emphasized the importance of justice and equality for all citizens. He concluded the letter by wishing President Al-Sharaa success in his duties.

In a Tuesday evening press release, the Holy See Press Office says that His Holiness Pope Francis has double pneumonia, but nevertheless “remains in good spirits”

By Vatican News

“Laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture.”

In a message to journalists on Tuesday evening, the Holy See Press Office gave the latest update on the Pope’s health since he was hospitalized on Friday to receive treatment for bronchitis.

The Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development speaks to Vatican News about his upcoming visit to Lebanon, where he will meet with Church groups, the Mufti of Tripoli and a group of Syrian refugees.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

His Eminence Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, will be in Lebanon from tomorrow, Feb. 19, until Sunday, Feb. 23.

It promises to be a challenging and intense trip, and not only because of the packed schedule, which contains meetings with the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon and with the Mufti of Tripoli.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Sunday, February 3/16, 2025, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the memory of Saint Simeon the God-receiver in his Holy Monastery, located in the New Jerusalem in Katamon, in the church where his tomb and a small relic of his remains are also kept. The Divine Liturgy was led by His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, with the participation of their Eminences, Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, the Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor, and Dimitrios of Lydda, along with the Hieromonk Fathers of the Holy Sepulchre, with first in rank the Elder Kamarasis Archimandrite Nektarios, the Hegumen of Beit Jala, Archimandrite Ignatios, Archimandrite Christodoulos, Archimandrite Vassian of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem (MISSIA), Archdeacon Mark and Hierodeacon Eulogios, as well as other Priests and Deacons from other Orthodox territories.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark inaugurated the Coptic Monasticism Seminar, which is taking place from February 15 to 21 at the LOGOS Papal Center in Saint Bishoy's Monastery, Wadi El-Natroun. The event is attended by the rapporteur of the Synodal Committee for Monasticism and Monastery Affairs; H.G. Bishop Danial, Bishop & Abbot of Saint Paul's Monastery in the Red Sea, as well as abbots of Coptic monasteries and delegations of monks representing various Coptic monasteries.

Every year, a solemn requiem is held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias on the feast day of Saint Sahag to honor the souls of the departed members of the Cilician Brotherhood of the Armenian Church.

On February 16th, 2025, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Cathedral by the Right Reverend Father Stepanos Pashayan. In his sermon, the celebrant priest delivered on the theme “I Am the Bread of Life,” emphasizing that the Catholicosate has always been sustained by Christ’s presence, even during difficult times. He praised the dedication of the clergy, which has helped the Holy See of Cilicia endure hardships and maintain peace for the nation and its diaspora. He concluded by asking everyone to pray for the souls of the reposed Catholicoi and clergy.

In a Monday evening press release, the Holy See Press Office says that His Holiness Pope Francis’ condition is “stable”, and he is “continuing with the prescribed treatment”.

By Vatican News

“The Holy Father remains without a fever and is proceeding with the prescribed treatment".

In a message to journalists on Monday evening, the Holy See Press Office gave the latest update on the Pope’s health since he was hospitalized on Friday to receive treatment for bronchitis.

His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, began his pastoral visit to Northern Zarqa in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Thursday, February 13, 2025, which continued until Sunday, February 16, 2025.

Day One – The Official Welcome

Cardinal Pizzaballa was warmly received in the Zarqa Governorate by Fr. Eyad Bader, the parish priest of Zarqa North, Fr. Ruben Cabrera, the vicar priest, Dr. Firas Abu Qaoud, the Governor of Zarqa, and Dr. Hail Al-Ayash, Deputy Governor, along with the priests of Zarqa from various churches, municipal and central council members, and directors of security and official institutions.

While welcoming the Cardinal, the Governor of Zarqa expressed his appreciation for this significant visit, stating: "It is a great pleasure to have you with us. In this country, there is no distinction between Muslims and Christians; we are all united as brothers in God. Consider this your second home."