NEWS
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
HB John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, issued his Paschal letter 2020
“Let us love the Bridegroom, O brethren, and prepare our lamps, shining with the virtues and a right faith; that, like the wise virgins of the Lord, we may be ready to enter with Him into the wedding feast. For as God He granteth unto all the Bridegroom's gift; an incorruptible crown.” This is the Church's prayer on these days of Holy Week, uttered by the hymnographer, where she addresses every soul that longs for the thresholds of Resurrection. We hereby extend it to you my brethren, for thorough reflection, while you accompany us in prayer from the corners of your homes and the cores of your souls. Today, a few steps away from Resurrection, we call on you to accompany the Bridegroom, the One who dwells in the empty tomb.
The Church facing Coronavirus
Pope at Mass: that governments, scientists, politicians may find just solutions to Covid-19
At the start of the Easter Monday’s Mass, Pope Francis announced the day’s Mass intention. “Today, let us pray for government leaders, scientists and politicians who are beginning to study a way out of the pandemic, though its "aftermath" has already begun. May they find the right way, always for the good of their people.”
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Easter 2020: Message of HB Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem
In unspeakable and absolute joy, with pure hearts and undefiled lips, with unceasing merry voices and pious cheering, the Church proclaims during the night of the Resurrection, and during the whole Easter period, echoing the “Christ is risen from the dead, by death hath he trampled down death, and to those in the graves hath He bestowed life”.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch, celebrated the Holy Qurobo on the occasion of Palm Sunday
On April 12, 2020, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo on the occasion of Palms Sunday, at St. Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma, Damascus. During the Holy Qurobo, His Holiness spoke about the entrance of our Lord Jesus Christ to Jerusalem and the crowds who welcomed Him as the King of Israel. His Holiness emphasized that the kingdom of Christ is not from this world, therefore He entered Jerusalem in humility and not to show power.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Palm Sunday at the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On Sunday April 12, 2020, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of Palm Sunday, as it is written in the contrite Triodion, as the commemoration of the triumphant entrance of our Lord Jesus Christ in Jerusalem before His Passion, seated on an ass, while the children of the Jews laid down their garments welcoming Him and crying out loud “Hosanna to the Son of David”.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pope’s Easter Urbi et Orbi message: “The contagion of hope”
No banner hung from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. No bands played the Vatican anthem. No floral arrangements decorated St Peter’s Square. Nearby streets were empty and silent, as Italy continues to respect a nationwide coronavirus lockdown. Inside the Basilica, surrounded only by his closest collaborators, Pope Francis delivered his traditional Easter Urbi et Orbi message to the city of Rome and the world.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Homily of Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa for Easter 2020
We have come to the end of this Holy Week, the most important of the weeks and certainly also the strangest of all. We didn't have the solemnity we wanted. The limitations due to the pandemic, however, led us indirectly to reflect on what is essential to us. These days we have experienced in a new way the absence of normal relationships between us, the absence of the Eucharist, the absence of meeting our communities.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Message of the Feast of Resurrection 2020 from HB Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan
«Peace be with you, my peace I give you». These are the first words of the risen Jesus to his disciples, who were confined inside with fear and anguish, because of what happened to their beloved Master, last Thursday night and Friday. In our Syriac tradition, we celebrate on the Sunday of the Resurrection, the rite of peace. This explains that our church was enduring oppression, persecution, and the consequences of the wars.
The Church facing Coronavirus
Cardinal Mario Zenari: Covid-19 pandemic could be catastrophic for Syria
With 9 years of conflict that has killed over 380,000 people and accounted for more than 12 million displaced persons and refugees, the situation in Syria has become even more desperate, with the coronavirus pandemic looming large, says the Holy See’s Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, Cardinal Mario Zenari.
The Church facing COVID-19
His Beatitude Mar Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Babylon for Chaldeans, issued his Easter message 2020: Easter and Corona, the need for Self - critic and Change
In spite of all precautions against Coronavirus all over the world, this pandemic is still killing thousands of people; infecting much more; and continues to threaten human health, social life and economy. Additionally, thousands of people lose their jobs and livelihood on daily basis. Therefore, the whole world must realize the seriousness of this contagious disease before is too late, in order to make the right decisions in combating it. Humanity needs an awakening for its rebirth.
The Church facing Coronavirus
Holy Land: Pastoral Guidelines for Holy Week following restrictions due to COVID-19
The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world and in the territories of our diocese has resulted in serious and drastic limitations in our ability to participate in divine worship. Pastoral activities and especially the celebration of the sacraments have been largely suspended for several weeks, including participation in the Eucharistic celebration.
The Church facing Coronavirus
The Secretarial Committee of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church issued a new statement concerning COVID-19
The Secretarial Committee of the Holy Synod met earlier today, Thursday, April 2, 2020, being led by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, to discuss the latest developments concerning the spread of the Coronavirus disease.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A votive Mass “in time of pandemic” and a new prayer for Good Friday
The Congregation for Divine Worship adds an intention to the Solemn Intercessions during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion and proposes a votive Mass taking into consideration the crisis in which the world is living.
The Church facing Coronavirus
A Joint Statement - Urgent Action Needed to Prevent COVID-19
The COVID-19 virus presents the entire world with a series of humanitarian, financial, social and political challenges, which do not spare faith-based actors and institutions.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A Message to Canadians from Religious Leaders in Canada
Canadians are experiencing the devastating impact of COVID-19 in what has become a rapidly evolving crisis. Understandably, this crisis has brought about feelings of anxiety, apprehension and fear. Critical elements of our daily lives are being thrown into uncertainty: health, employment, financial security, recreational activities, as well as our ability to gather as worshiping communities. In view of these difficulties, we as religious leaders wish to bring forward a message of hope, gratitude and solidarity to all people who call Canada home.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Ecumenical Organizations in the United States join in unprecedented call
To the leadership and members of Christian Churches in the United States of America: Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus the Christ! We come to you in a spirit of unity during this difficult period of time with an invitation to join together in witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus for all in the United States to see.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Necessary Providences for Celebrating the Holy Week, in the Light of the Threat of Coronavirus to Human Lives
It is so painful for a father (Patriarch, Bishops and Priests) to be a part from his flock (diocese and parish communities), especially that we are preparing to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but we must “adapt” our celebrations to suit these exceptional circumstances. Therefore, I would like, to share with our bishops and priests the following instructions regarding the Holy Week liturgical celebrations, which came out consistent with what we have received from the Holy See.
The Church facing Coronavirus
In the Time of COVID-19, Mass Incarceration Endangers Lives
The global COVID-19 pandemic brings with it a moral imperative to pay special attention to incarcerated persons. With over 2.3 million people in jails and prisons in the United States and hundreds of thousands in detention centers, these communities, including the staff working in these facilities, are particularly vulnerable to the impact of the COVID-19 virus.
The Church facing Coronavirus
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Our Churches
Churches across the country and around the world are scrambling to adequately and effectively respond to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19, which has now caused the death of more than 100 people in the U.S. (as of this writing) with more than 5,800 people infected.
The Church facing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A message from the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA)
The world is facing an unprecedented situation today due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The outbreak of COVID-19 is a loud wake-up call for all countries on our planet. The proliferation of COVID-19 as well as other major epidemics such as SARS, Ebola, Nipah, and MERS since the beginning of this century have shattered several myths about threats arising from new pathogens and diseases that escalate as epidemics.