(Bonn, June 19th 2020) Since the Israeli government has announced plans to annex parts of the West Bank from first of July 2020, the chairman of the Commission of World Church Affairs of the German Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Dr Ludwig Schick (Bamberg), and the chairman of the working group “Near and Middle East”, Auxiliary Bishop Dr Udo Bentz, have expressed their solidarity with the patriarchs and church leaders of Jerusalem.

Statement: We, as leaders of the world’s religious and spiritual traditions: Indigenous Spirituality, Zoroastrian, Jain, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Bahai, honor the World Refugee Day with our renewed commitment to advancing dignity for all, especially the need to actively care for the most vulnerable among us.

His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, receives their Beatitudes: Youhanna X Yazigi, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Youssef Absi, Greek-Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, in Damascus

On June 18, 2020, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received their Beatitudes Patriarchs: John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Joseph Absi, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Alexandria and Jerusalem, at the Patriarchate Headquarters in Bab Touma, Damascus.

Jordan: Prayers resume in Churches amid precautionary measures

Christians in Jordan have resumed praying in the Kingdom's churches after a three-month hiatus, since mid-March 2020, which aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19. On Sunday, June 7, Holy Masses were celebrated in various churches in the Kingdom.

Pentecost: Pope to resume Regina Coeli in St. Peter's Square

The Holy See Press Office said on Tuesday that the Pope will celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost on Sunday at 10am local time from St Peter’s Basilica. Immediately afterwards, at 12.00 noon, Pope Francis will resume the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer with the faithful from the window of his private study overlooking St. Peter's Square.

Church of Holy Sepulchre reopens to faithful under safety guidelines

Following the evolvement of the situation in the Holy Land, we the Heads of the Three Communities, custodians of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and Resurrection, wish to inform that starting on Sunday 24, 2020, this most Holy Place will be accessible again to the faithful for visits and prayers. For safety reasons and in order to avoid the risk of a new spread of the COVID-19 infection, at the beginning the number will be limited to 50 persons.

The feast of the Appearance of the Sign of the Precious Cross in the Heavens at the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Wednesday, May 20, 2020 the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the appearance of the sign of the Precious Cross in the Heavens.

Special Week and Anniversary Year to mark 5 years of “Laudato Si"

On Sunday, it will be exactly 5 years of this popular document, which has been a point of reference not only for the Church and Christians but also for governments, politicians, world bodies, including the United Nations, as well as environmental groups and movements worldwide.

Pope Francis celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of St John Paul II by offering Holy Mass at the altar where the Polish Pope is buried in St Peter’s Basilica. Joined by a very limited number of the faithful, the liturgy on Monday morning was the first Mass open to the public after almost two months of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fr. Refat Bader: when the Pope calls for a day of fasting during the month of fasting, it is a sign of great respect and solidarity between Muslim

The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity has called on religious leaders and the faithful around the world to observe a day of fasting, prayers and supplications for the good of all humanity on Thursday, May 14. His Holiness, Pope Francis and Sheikh of Al-Azhar blessed this initiative, and called for having this day abounding with noble initiatives. This day aims to conduct prayers for a unified supplication by a motley of extended human family, so that the Lord would keep the specter of the pandemic at bay.

Pope at Mass: Pray together for healing from all pandemics

At the start of Mass in the Casa Santa Marta on 14 May, Pope Francis said: “Today, the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity has called for a day of prayer and fasting to ask the merciful God for an end to this tragic moment of the pandemic. We are all brothers and sisters. St Francis of Assisi used to say: “All brothers and sisters”. And so, men and women of every religious confession are uniting themselves today in prayer and penance to ask for the grace of healing from this pandemic.”

In historic Nidaros Cathedral, the ancient shrine and pilgrimage destination of medieval Trondheim, the Church of Norway on Sunday, 10 May 2020, consecrated the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit as bishop of the Diocese of Nidaros and installed him as Preses or presiding bishop of its Bishops’ Conference.

WCC questions posed to His Most Godly Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem

National, religious and ethnic borders are of no relevance to the COVID-19 virus. As we watch its effect on the entire world, we are reminded of the interconnectedness of the entire human family. In the next few weeks, Christians, Jews and Muslims will participate in central aspects of their ritual calendars; normally a time for festive gatherings, all are struggling to find a way to celebrate given the precautions we must take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.

Brothers, we address you with the Pascha greeting, sharing your prayers in your home corners and bending with you the knees of the heart before Christ, who was crucified for our sake, who resurrected from the dead and made us resurrect by His divine Light, wiping away from souls the dust of bitter times and the ashes of desolation and despair.

ACT Alliance offered a new reliable and freely accessible resource developed by the ACT Reference Group on Peace & Human Security - noting that MECC is one of its members - in collaboration with the DanChurchAid (DCA), and the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA). The aim of this new resource is to provide guidance on COVID-19 and on religious actors. The website page has received feedback from the Conflict Sensitivity Community, the Network for Conflict Prevention & Peacebuilding, and from the ACT Secretariat.

Holy Fire lit as Orthodox Easter bells echo over near-empty Jerusalem

The Holy Fire ceremony symbolising Jesus’ resurrection was lit in a deserted Jerusalem on Saturday, without the joyful throng of Orthodox Christian pilgrims who normally attend a spectacle that brings the Easter season to a colourful climax. Bells tolled above a near-empty Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, Theophilos III, emerged carrying the flame from the crypt where Christians believe Jesus was buried.

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.

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.”

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”.

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.