The Feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr and Protodeacon was solemnly observed at the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia, on Sunday, December 28, 2025, with a Divine Liturgy and a special celebration at the atrium of the Catholicosate, presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

H.E. Arch. Sipan Ketchedjian, the newly appointed Grand Sacristan of St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, celebrated the Liturgy and delivered a homily, during which he elaborated on the Biblical foundations of the diaconate as outlined in the Acts of the Apostles. He reflected on the challenges and blessings of multilingualism, noting that while proficiency in multiple languages is a valuable asset in today’s multicultural world, it remains an earthly privilege. He urged the faithful to use their gifts, following Christ’s example, to build relationships founded on love, respect, and patience, and to aspire for a “good place” in the Kingdom of Heaven through a steadfast relationship with God.

On Friday, December 26, 2025, the Armenian Theological Seminary family gathered in a spirit of joyous fellowship to celebrate the New Year and the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. This special agape celebration, jointly organized by the Seminary Administration and the Ladies’ Committee, brought together administrators, committee members, faculty, and students as one community. The evening was graced by the presence of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), who honored the gathering with his paternal blessings and guidance.

The Gospel of this Sunday after Christmas, the feast of the Holy Family (Mt 2:13–15, 19–23), tells us that God enters the world not as a powerful figure, but as a fragile and vulnerable child, a child who needs to be welcomed, cared for, and protected.

Matthew emphasizes this by recounting what follows the visit of the Magi (Mt 2:1–13): their passage through Jerusalem arouses the suspicion and concern of King Herod, who then decides to have all children two years old and under put to death (Mt 2:1–16).

Herod, like his son Archelaus later on; represents the figure of the powerful man, one who believes he can freely dispose of the lives of others. Their power is described as a power of death, a cruel power.
But God does not choose to be powerful…

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the Aram I Armenological Institute in Lebanon, on Monday, December 22, 2025, to celebrate the New Year and Christmas holidays with the institute’s community.

The visit brought together lecturers and students, participating both in person and online, in a warm reception for the Catholicos. Mr. Aharon Shekerdemian, Director of the Institute, formally welcomed His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on behalf of the Institute’s community. During his welcome, Director Shekerdemian briefed Catholicos Aram I on the institute’s current academic endeavors and plans. He expressed the institute’s deep gratitude for the unwavering paternal support and guidance consistently provided by His Holiness.

In a cherished annual tradition marking the New Year and Christmas Season, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the Armenian Sanatorium of Azounieh in Lebanon, on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

Accompanied by a delegation of Monastic Fathers, His Holiness was received by Director Dadjad Srabian, Board of Trustees Chairperson Hagop Ladoyan, and members of the board and ladies’ committee.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), held separate meetings with His Excellency Mr. Gregory Galligan, Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon and Ambassador-designate to Syria, and Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC0 for the Ecangelical Family. the meetings took place on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon.

In his Message for the 2026 World Day of Peace, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV addresses the escalation of war, rearmament and fear in international relations, and reiterates the Church’s opposition to deterrence based on military force. He calls for disarmament, dialogue and the conversion of hearts as necessary conditions for a lasting and unarmed peace.

As the Church observes the World Day of Peace on 1 January, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflects on a world marked by fear, militarization and the threat of war. In his first Message for this observance, he addresses the seriousness of the moment while proposing a vision of peace that is “unarmed and disarming,” resisting violence not through force but through moral clarity, dialogue and the conversion of hearts.

As the Jubilee Year draws to a close, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reminds the faithful that its deepest gift endures. Hope, he says, continues to shape the Church’s journey, calling all to remain pilgrims who generate life and renewal.

Addressing the faithful during the last Saturday Jubilee Audience of this Holy Year, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reminded Christians that the pilgrimage it inspired does not end.

“The Jubilee is drawing to a close,” the Pope said, “but the hope that this Year has given us does not end: we will remain pilgrims of hope.”

Beginning his catechesis with words regarding the approaching celebration of Christmas, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflected on the meaning of Christian hope, rooted not in fear but in the closeness of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

Under the auspices and blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Cilicia Library organized the presentation of the HASG Armenological Yearbook, Volumes 13 and 14. The event took place on Friday, December 19, 2025, in the hall of the “Cilicia” Museum.

The ceremony commenced with V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian welcoming the attendees and outlining the yearbook’s significant history and mission. He highlighted its founding in 1948 by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin I Hovsepiants, noting that despite historical interruptions, the publication continues its vital work today through the direct encouragement and support of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Fr. Hovagim extended profound gratitude to the editor of the presented volumes, His Eminence Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, and to all the contributors for their dedicated work.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV convenes his first Consistory of Cardinals, which will take place on January 7-8 and will be marked by Prayer, support, and counsel for the Pope.

Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office released details of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV's first Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals, which will be held in the Vatican on January 7-8, 2026.

“The meeting will unfold over two days and will be marked by moments of communion and fraternity, as well as times dedicated to reflection, sharing, and Prayer,” read the statement released on Saturday.

As the Cardinals pray and reflect together with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the encounter will seek to foster discernment and offer “support and counsel to the Holy Father in the exercise of his lofty and weighty responsibility in the governance of the universal Church.”

On Friday, December 19, 2025, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was received at the Presidential Palace by His Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon.

The discussions focused on the affairs of the Armenian Orthodox Community in Lebanon and the broader Ecclesiastical-diplomatic mission of the Holy See of Cilicia. His Holiness briefed the President on his recent high-level consultations with foreign state officials, underscoring matters pertinent to Lebanon and regional stability. He expressed appreciation for the improved security climate and the gradual economic progress achieved under the President’s administration, while issuing a firm condemnation of the ongoing [Israeli] military aggressions.

On December 21, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), attended a Christmas Recital by St. Ephrem Patriarchal Choir, at St. Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma – Damascus.

The Recital was entitled: “Love, Live, Laugh…”, and included Christmas chants from different languages and traditions.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Andrawos Bahhi, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education, Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, as well as their Excellencies Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Damascus Msgr. Armash Nalbandian, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Damascus Msgr. George Assadourian, Greek Catholic Patriarchal Vicar of Damascus Rev. Archimandrite Antoun Mosleh, Episcopal Vicar for the Chaldean Church in Damascus Fr. Farid Boutros, attended the recital.

In a letter sent on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the International Union of Superiors General, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV urges women religious to be “pilgrims and missionary disciples of hope,” to heal the wounds of those they encounter.

Recalling “the vision of Saint Paul VI,” who promoted the renewal of consecrated life in the modern world in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV expresses his gratitude to all members of the International Union of the Superiors General (UISG) for carrying out their mission “with fidelity and courage”.

In a letter addressed to Sister Oonah O’Shea, UISG President, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the union’s foundation, which took place on 8 December 1965, the Pope says,“I join you in gratitude for the many ways in which the UISG has carried forward this mission.”

In his Message for the 2026 World Day of Peace, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV addresses the escalation of war, rearmament and fear in international relations, and reiterates the Church’s opposition to deterrence based on military force. He calls for disarmament, dialogue and the conversion of hearts as necessary conditions for a lasting and unarmed peace.

As the Church observes the World Day of Peace on 1 January, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflects on a world marked by fear, militarization and the threat of war. In his first Message for this observance, he addresses the seriousness of the moment while proposing a vision of peace that is “unarmed and disarming,” resisting violence not through force but through moral clarity, dialogue and the conversion of hearts.

In his Catechesis at the weekly General Audience, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV explains that our hearts can only find true rest in God and not in the many daily “activities that do not always leave us satisfied.”

During his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflected on the universal feeling that we all have to be constantly on-the-go, which “drives us to do, to act.”

He highlighted how speed is often required to reach the ideal goals in almost any field. But, rather than focus on worldly demands, he turned the focus to Jesus’ Resurrection and how this can affect our daily life.

When all of us participate in Christ's victory over death, the question is: Will we find rest? The Pope explained that our faith tells us that we will. Yet, it will not be an inactive rest. Rather, we will live in peace and joy. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV asked: “So, should we just wait, or can this change us right now?”.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV joins children at a school Christmas concert in Castel Gandolfo, and invites those present to communicate to all the gift of love at Christmas.

A special visit marked the eleventh edition of the Christmas concert InCanto, performed by the pupils of the Pontifical Paul VI School of Castel Gandolfo. Among those attending this afternoon was His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. After leaving the nearby Villa Barberini, where he regularly stays on Tuesdays, the Pope visited the school and then joined the pupils and their families in the gymnasium for the musical performance.

The concert was an occasion for the children to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and to underline that true richness is not measured by what one receives, but by the peace one can generate within oneself and in relationship with others.

As part of his program in Kerala in India, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), made a private visit and Spiritual Retreat in Mor Ignatius Elias III Dayro Monastery in Manjinikkara - Kerala.

The Vatican lights up the Christmas tree and Nativity Scene in St. Peter’s Square in a ceremony with Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State, and Italian civil and Religious representatives of the Dioceses that donated the Christmas elements.

The Vatican’s Christmas tree and Nativity Scene were lit up and officially inaugurated in St. Peter’s Square on Monday, 15 December, by Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State.

“Today, in this square that embraces the world, the Nativity scene and the Christmas tree are not merely Christmas decorations, but signs of communion, calls to peace and to the care of creation, and invitations to universal fraternity, which St. Francis placed above all else and which became the hallmark of his charism,” she said, recalling that next year will mark the 800th anniversary of the death of the Saint of Assisi, who began the tradition of Nativity Scenes in 1223.

The Anglican-Lutheran Annual Simulcast Lessons and Carols Service was held, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Head of the Church for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Saturday 13 December 2025, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Episcopal Cathedral in Philadelphia.