Ahead of His Holiness Pope Francis' visit to Cyprus and Greece, 2-6 December, Cypriot priest Father Ibrahim Khita of Limassol spoke to Vatican News about how they are preparing for the papal visit.

By Robin Gomes

“We hope that we will have new life, a good life full of peace and full of love.” Cypriot Maronite priest Father Ibrahim Khita made the comment, expressing what all the people of Cyprus expect from the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to them, December 2 to 4.

The #IamChurch campaign for persons with disabilities begins from 6 December with a series of video testimonies of Christians living with disabilities.

By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

The Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life announced the launch on Monday of a campaign dedicated to persons living with disabilities.

On the morning of Monday, November 29, 2021, His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East arrived at the Cathedral of the Prophet Elijah in Mussafah in Abu Dhabi.

Just a few days ahead of his apostolic journey to Cyprus and Greece, His Holiness Pope Francis has sent a video message expressing his joy in visiting "as a pilgrim to your magnificent lands blessed by history, culture, and the Gospel". The Pope leaves for the two nations on Thursday, December 2, for a five-day journey.

On Friday morning, November 26, 2021, His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Annunciation in Dubai. He was assisted in His service by His Grace Gregorios Khoury, Bishop of the Emirates and Patriarchal Vicar and a number of priests and deacons.

On November 27, 2021, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II consecrated the altar of Mor Jacob of Saroug at Mor Jacob of Saroug Monastery in Warburg.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, HE Cardinal Mario Zenari, calls on the international community to make a sign of good faith regarding economic sanctions, and laments the decline in the Syrian people’s hope as the world forgets the long-suffering people.

By Vatican News staff reporter

Life on the streets of Damascus appears like that of any other large Middle Eastern capital: the streets fill up as people drive to and from work, and shops are full of foodstuffs.

For the celebration of the Despotic feast of Christmas according to the ecclesiastical tradition and order, His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos addressed the flock with the following circular:

To the most devout and reverend Stewards and Priests of the parishes and the honourable Presidents and members of the Local Councils of our flock all over the jurisdiction of our Patriarchate, dearest children in the Lord of Our Mediocrity, grace and peace from God the Father…

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, visited Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, accompanied by His Grace, Bishop Gregorios Khoury, and the President of the University of Balamand, Dr. Elias Warraq.

His Holiness Pope Francis expresses his spiritual closeness to His Beatitude Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in a letter for the feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, celebrated on 30 November, the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, led a Holy See delegation to Istanbul for the occasion.

On Monday, 9/22 November 2021, the Patriarchate celebrated the sixteenth election and enthronement anniversary of His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos at the glorious throne of the Mother of Churches.

For this joyful and important event, there was a Doxology at the Catholicon of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at 10.30 a.m. The Doxology was led by His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos with co-celebrants the Hagiotaphite High Priests, Hieromonks and Deacons…

On November 26, 2021, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo at Mor Malki Church in Delbrück - Germany. During the Holy Qurobo, His Holiness elevated Rev. Fr. Simon Demir to the rank of Khuroyo.

In his sermon, His Holiness spoke about the humility of the Virgin Mary who visited her cousin Elizabeth and carried the Lord to her bringing joy to her.

On Saturday afternoon 7/20 November 2021, the new Patriarchal Representative in Bethlehem, His Eminence Metropolitan Benedictos of Diocesarea was welcomed and settled in Bethlehem.

For this event His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos was represented by His Eminence Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias…

JERUSALEM - Giving an air of Northern Europe to this emblematic neighborhood of East Jerusalem, Abraham’s House has decided to honor women's handicrafts during this first weekend of Advent.

On Saturday, November 27, from 10 am to 5 pm, more than 60 exhibitors, mostly from the Silwan neighborhood, will offer you a magical and yet very authentic Christmas: from jewelry to crockery, cosmetics and fashion accessories …

His Holiness Pope Francis reflects on the Kingship of Christ on today's Solemnity of Christ the King, noting that Jesus came not to dominate, but to serve others. And Christians are called to do the same, seeking the truth of Jesus' boundless love who frees us from our weaknesses.

TABGHA - As every year, according to a recent but well-established tradition, on this second Saturday of November, the Church of the Multiplication of the loaves and fish in Tabgha hosted the feast celebrating this miracle at the site it took place.

Between Magdala and Capernaum, next to the Monastery of the Beatitudes, facing Lake Tiberias, the Church of the Multiplication of Tabgha is one of the oldest and most moving shrines in the Holy Land.

On Sunday, 8/21 November 2021, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the heavenly hosts.

With the word “Synaxis”, we mean the gathering of us faithful, to honour the Marshals of the Angels and all the Angels who joined them when Archangel Michael said “Let us stand firm” and did not follow the fallen Lucifer and the angels that fell with him.

The Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia strongly condemns the latest provocation attacks by the Azerbaijani regime which occurred earlier today, infringing the sovereignty of Armenia as well as causing a number of Armenian casualties and injuries.

Azerbaijan continues to neglect human rights while blatantly violating international law.

Tourism has all the times been a favorite practice by people who seek either to visit areas of interest or to seek adventures. However, in modern time tourism has taken a different trend, namely visiting places rich in religious sites and those abounding with traces that reflect past historical events.

Among the Middles Eastern countries which is considered as a jewel for religious and historical tourism is Jordan. This country is a conflation of faith with cultures or rather a country that merges civilization, culture, common living, and beauty.

Interview by Edward Pentin

KAREMLASH, Iraq — An Iraqi priest whose family home was destroyed by ISIS has been consecrated bishop in a church he has spent the past four years restoring.

Chaldean Bishop Thabet Habib Yousif Al Mekko, a popular priest who for many years has dedicated himself to serving the faithful in his native Nineveh Plain town of Karemlash, was consecrated Bishop of Alqosh on Oct. 22 by Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, the Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon.