Statement issued by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East concerning the Coronavirus

The fast spreading of Corona virus in many countries around the world created panic among the people; it necessitated the change of many daily customs and practices. Many faithful are raising questions concerning some ecclesiastical rituals and practices during the Holy Qurobo and church meetings.

Holy Fire Service in Jerusalem could be canceled due to coronavirus fears

Every year, thousands of Orthodox faithful from around the world flock to Jerusalem to celebrate Holy Week and Pascha. Especially beloved is the service of the descent of the Holy Fire on Holy Saturday, in which the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem enters the Lord’s Tomb until fire descends from Heaven and lights his candles and is then spread to all the faithful.

On the First Sunday of Great Lent, February 24/ March 8, 2020, the Patriarchate celebrated as ‘Parresia’ at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre the commemoration of the restoration of the Holy Icons by the Empress Theodora and her son Michael in 842, during the Patriarchal Office of St. Methodios the Confessor.

Novel Coronavirus outbreak: Latin Patriarchate issues precautionary guidelines during celebration of Masses

The threat of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease has prompted us to issue some precautionary guidelines as this virus has rapidly spread to many areas and countries around the world.

Pope Francis says a cold is keeping him indoors; therefore he will follow the annual Spiritual Exercises from the Vatican.

Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar signed the Document on Human Fraternity on 4 February 2019. It highlights the need for a sense of fraternity amongst all men and women of goodwill who are invited to promote justice and peace, guaranteeing human rights and religious freedom.

Leaders of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), including Global Ministries' Co-Executives, issued the following statement today in response to the Trump Administration's release on Tuesday, January 28 of its "Peace to Prosperity"

Yesterday, 28 January, President Trump of the United States of America and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel presented a proposal for peace in Israel and Palestine – “Peace to Prosperity: A Vision to Improve the Lives of Palestinian and Israeli People”. This proposal was developed without meaningful participation by representatives of the Palestinian people, and primarily in line with long-stated Israeli objectives. It constitutes an ultimatum, rather than a real, sustainable or just solution. No just peace can be established for either Palestinians or Israelis with such a plan.

On December 25, His Beatitude John X celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Damascus. In his homily, His Beatitude highlighted the joy as main the message of Nativity. “Our liturgical services are full with these words: light, joy, gladness.

The theme of Pope Francis’ annual Christmas Day “Urbi et Orbi” Message is “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”.

at the 2nd International Conference on Persecuted Christians in Budapest – HUNGARY

Two years ago, many of us were gathered in this same room at the invitation of His Excellency Viktor Orban for the First International Conference on Persecuted Christians. We consider that event to be the first of its kind in Europe where a European government takes the issue of the persecution of Christians very seriously and organizes an international conference for the same.

Pope Francis on Friday received in the Vatican the Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb of Al-Azhar of Egypt and his retinue.

His Beatitude Patriarch Louis Raphael Cardinal Sako led an ecumenical prayer for peace, safety and stability in Iraq. The event was organized by the Chaldean Patriarchate at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baghdad on Monday the 4th of November 2019 and themed “O Lord of Peace, Grant our Iraq Peace”.

H.B Mar Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans and President of MECC for the Catholic Family, expressed his solidarity with the demonstrators in Lebanon and Iraq and their rightful demands, calling on the Church to a prophetic initiative

The meetings of the Central Council of the Armenian Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, warmly congratulates the adoption of the resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Pope Francis appeals to all citizens of Iraq to pursue the path of dialogue and reconciliation in search of solutions, after nearly a week of renewed anti-government protests that have left hundreds of people dead.

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed grave concern for people’s rights and well-being in Lebanon.

Churches in Italy rang their bells in solidarity with Lebanon where popular protests entered their twelfth day, and Italian newspapers such as "Avvenire" devoted pages to developments in Lebanon, National News Agency correspondent reported Monday from the Vatican.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara el-Rahi raised calls Wednesday upon President Michel Aoun to start consultations with the political and spiritual leaders "to make the necessary decisions regarding the demands of people" with whom he expressed solidarity.