On Thursday, 8/21 July 2022, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the Holy Great Martyr Prokopios’ commemoration at his chapel at the Monastery of Saint Modestos on Abu Tor hill, opposite the hill of Holy Zion.

On this day, the Church commemorates what is preserved from the Holy Martyr Prokopios in his Synaxarion. He was born in Caesarea of Palestine, a soldier by profession and was miraculously called just like the Apostle Paul to Christ, to Whom he came and confessed, and for His sake, he suffered a martyr’s death.

On July 24, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, celebrated the Holy Qurobo, at the end of the Suryoyo Youth General Gathering, with the presence of the youth who participated in SYGG, at St. Mary Church in Atchaneh - Lebanon.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education, and Mor Chrysostomos Mikhael Shemoun, Patriarchal Vicar and Administrator of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh, assisted His Holiness in the Qurobo.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Patriarchal Vicar in the Archdiocese of Eastern USA, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Severus Roger Akhrass, Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, were also presented.

On July 20, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, officially inaugurated the 6th Suryoyo Youth Global Gathering in Lebanon at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh - Lebanon.

The opening was attended by their Eminences: Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education, Mor Theophilos George Saliba, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Patriarchal Vicar in the Archdiocese of Eastern USA, Mor Chrysostomos Mikhael Shemoun, Patriarchal Vicar and Administrator of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Severus Roger Akhrass, Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies, Mor Cyril Babi, Patriarchal Vicar for the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director.

His Holiness Pope Francis calls for a "covenant" between people and the environment God gave us, in his Message for the World Day of Prayer for Creation to be observed by the Church on September 1st. In the text published on Thursday, the Pope calls for decisive actions at the upcoming COP27 on Climate Change and COP15 on Biodiversity, and appeals for the adoption of four key principles.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

His Holiness Pope Francis has lamented that St. Francis' Canticle of Creation praising the environment, is turning into an "anguished cry" and plea for help as the environment deteriorates.

GALILEE – To mark the sixth anniversary of the death of the Neocatechumenal Way co-foundress, Carmen Hernandez, young Catholics from the United States and Galilee had a meeting at the Domus Galileaea center, where Jesus is said to have given the Sermon on the Mount.

About 8,000 US and Galilean Catholic youth gathered, on Tuesday, July 19th, at the Domus Galileaea International Center, to attend a meeting organized by the Neocatechumenal Way. The event included chants, processions, prayers, readings and speeches, including one from His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who had been invited to come and speak about the Beatitudes.

The visit aimed at strengthening the bonds of unity among WCC member churches and listening to the concerns of its constituency amidst all the difficult living conditions they are passing through. The delegation raised the needs and expectations of the population of Syria, as well as other concerns of the Middle East region, where other similar visits took place, at the WCC 11th Assembly, to be held 31 August-8 September 2022 in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The delegation started its visit in the city of Damascus, with a visit to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, in the Patriarchal residence, where discussions centered around the situation of the church and its mission and witness amidst the crisis that the region is passing through, especially in Lebanon and Syria, and the need to support Christians so they can stay in their homeland and be agents of transformation in their societies. Attendees also stressed the necessity of ongoing coordination with local churches in order to overcome the challenges that might have impacts on the Christian presence in the region.

On July 17th, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Charbel, His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a festive Mass in the Maronite Church of Bethlehem, at the invitation of the Maronite priest, Fr. Yacoub Eid. This church, and the convent next to it, were inaugurated by a group of Lebanese priests in 1983, in the name of Mar Charbel - a Maronite hermit from Lebanon who was beatified in 1965 and canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul VI.

"During his life, Mar Charbel did not do anything," said the Patriarch during his homily. "He did not build schools or hospitals; like the Mary of the Gospel (Luke 10:38-42), he only sat in front of God. Yet after many years, what he did concretely touched the lives of many people," he added, referring to the many miracles performed by the saint after his death. Today, following the renovation of the church and convent after the Second Intifada, the relics of Mar Charbel are sheltered inside the church, and a short exhibition outside recounts the miraculous cures performed through his intercession.

His Holiness Pope Francis says SIGNIS “can play an important role” in meeting the challenge of “toxicity, hate speech, and fake news” in the media.

By Christopher Wells

Although modern means of communication can be “a powerful means of fostering communion and dialogue within our human family,” they can also become “places of toxicity, hate speech, and fake news,” warns Pope Francis, in a message to the lay communications network SIGNIS, which is holding its annual World Congress in Seoul in August.

“It is appropriate,” the Pope says, “that, in these days marked by new outbreaks of violence and aggression in our world, you have chosen as the theme of your World Congress ‘Peace in the Digital World.”

On July 17, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Aphrem Cathedral in Aleppo.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Assistant and Patriarchal Delegate to the Archdiocese of Aleppo, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, assisted His Holiness during the Holy Qurobo.

In his sermon, His Holiness expressed his joy to meet the faithful of the Archdiocese of Aleppo and prayed for the abducted Archbishop Mor Gregorius Youhanna Ibrahim. He also was happy to see the institutions of the Archdiocese flourishing and offering services despite the harsh circumstances. He pointed out that the ministry required is great and he appreciated the role of the Patriarchal Delegate along with the priests and lay people who are active in offering help to the people according to their capacities. Commenting on the gospel reading, His Holiness emphasized that leadership in Christianity means service without seeking worldly power or glory. He assured that our role model is the Lord Jesus Christ Who became man through His humility and sacrifice.

On July 17, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, visited His Excellency Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo Mor Dionysius Antoine Shahda, at the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Aleppo to offer condolences for the passing away of his two brothers.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Assistant and Patriarchal Delegate to the Archdiocese of Aleppo, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, accompanied His Holiness along with the priests of the Archdiocese and the vice presidents of the Councils.

His Holiness prayed the service of the departed for the everlasting rest for the souls of the brothers of His Excellency.

On July 16, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, met the priests, members of the parish councils and institutions of the Archdiocese of Aleppo, at the Headquarters of the Archdiocese of Aleppo.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Assistant and Patriarchal Delegate to the Archdiocese of Aleppo, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, attended the meeting.

They discussed the situation of the archdiocese in the absence of His Eminence Mor Gregorios Youhanna Ibrahim. They spoke about the ministry in Aleppo and the needs of the Archdiocese as well as the challenges they are facing, appreciating the support they are receiving from the Patriarchate.

His Holiness gave them his blessings and instructions in what is good for the Archdiocese. He also prayed for the return of the two abducted archbishops of Aleppo.

On Saturday July 16, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, visited the project of the restoration of industrial workshops and units in Ramouseh.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Assistant and Patriarchal Delegate to the Archdiocese of Aleppo, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, and the clergy of the Archdiocese accompanied His Holiness as well as the deputy presidents of the councils, the engineer supervising the project and representatives of SOS Chretiens d’Orient.

During the visit, His Holiness inspected some of the restored shops and the work done while listening to an explanation of the different stages of the work and the challenges that they faced to complete the project. This project was sponsored by SOS Chretiens d’Orient.

On Saturday July 16, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visited the site of the Syrian French Hospital in Aleppo, which belongs to the Archdiocese.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Assistant and Patriarchal Delegate to the Archdiocese of Aleppo, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, and the clergy of the Archdiocese accompanied His Holiness as well as the deputy presidents of the councils and the engineer supervising the project.

During the visit, His Holiness inspected the premises which are being restored to prepare the hospital to serve the patients. This project is supported by Hungary Helps.

On Saturday July 16, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, visited the Mercy Old Age Home in Aleppo, which belongs to the Archdiocese.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Assistant and Patriarchal Delegate to the Archdiocese of Aleppo, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director, and the clergy of the Archdiocese accompanied His Holiness as well as the deputy presidents of the councils and the project’s engineer.

During the visit, His Holiness inspected the rooms and facilities of the Old Age Home. This project is supported by Church in Action (Holland) through the Middle East Council of Churches.

After being received by representatives of the three churches managing the Church of Nativity, being our Patriarchate of Jerusalem, The Custody of the Holy Land and the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate, at the entrance to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, President Joseph Biden was accompanied on a short tour to the site of the birth of Christ, where he was awaited by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Custos Father Patton and the Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Norahan Manugian, who took the President of the United States on a tour and exchanged discussion with him in the presence of a number of Palestinian officials.

Patriarch Theophilos III stressed the need for an active American intervention to protect the Christian heritage and presence in the Holy Land, especially in the city of Jerusalem, which is witnessing unprecedented attacks by Israeli radical groups, that conduct their offenses without accountability in order to create an environment that repels Christians from their own city of Jerusalem. His Beatitude also noted attacks on churches, clergy and Christians faithful by members of these groups and their attempts to seize the properties of Jaffa Gate in a case that illustrates the horror and ugliness of the battle waged by these groups against the authentic Christian presence in Jerusalem. He also spoke of restricting freedom of worship against Muslims and Christians, preventing believers from reaching their places of worship freely, giving the example of Israeli police practices this year on the Saturday of Holy Fire in which they prevented worshippers from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

On Saturday, 9th of July 2022, His Beatitude Youssef Al-Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, concluded his visit to Germany by meeting the Melkite Youth in Germany.

The meeting included an open discussion, during which His Beatitude discussed with the Christian youth in Germany their current situation and the challenges they face in their lives.

Firstly, the youth greeted His Beatitude with the accompanying delegation:

His Eminence Yasser Ayash- Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem,

The Most Reverend Archimandrite Chihade Abboud- the Patriarchal Commissioner at the Holy See,

and The Reverend Father Rami Wakim- the Director of the Patriarchal Bureau.

The meeting took place in Marienthal Monastery in the German state, Rhineland-Palatinate. While the scout band of St. Joseph- Giessen played joyful music, His Beatitude received a bouquet of flowers to welcome his gracious visit.

This Sunday morning, after the Devine Liturgy, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, met with the people of St. Mary of Zeitoun Church, Vienna in the shadow of his current pastoral visit to the Diocese of Austria.
During the meeting, His Holiness delivered a speech about our country, Egypt, and its natural distinction in terms of history and geography, in addition to the progress it is currently witnessing. After the speech, His Holiness answered the questions of his present children about upbringing, the obstacles to spiritual life, the life of holiness, and others.

This morning,His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, prayed the Devine Liturgy of second Sunday of Epipe at St. Virgin Mary Church in Vienna, in the shadow of his current pastoral visit to the Diocese of Austria.
His Grace Bishop Gabriel, Bishop of Austria, His Grace Bishop Marcos, Bishop of Damietta, Kafe El Sheikh, and ElBarari, Metropolitan Mor Dionysius, Metropolitan of Austria for the Syriac Orthodox contributed to the Devine Liturgy which witnessed a huge presence to a lot of people in addition to the presence of the Ambassador Mohamed El-Mulla, Egypt’s Ambassador to Austria.
His Holiness baptized some children from Egyptian families residing in Austria.
His Holiness delivered the sermon for the Devine Liturgy, followed by a speech by His Grace Bishop Gabriel in which he expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Holienss for his visit to the Diocese.

On Wednesday, 30 June/ 13 July 2022, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Glorious twelve Apostles at the Holy Church dedicated to them on the west shore of the sea of Tiberias, at the centre of the town of Tiberias.

On this feast the Church gathers, namely, it keeps the “Synaxis” of its faithful to honour the twelve Apostles to whom the Lord sent His Holy Spirit, and by whom He “kept the whole world into their net”.

For this feast, Vespers was held on Tuesday afternoon and the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday morning was officiated by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, along with their Eminences, Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, among whom the Archimandrite Parthenios and Priests from the Metropolis of Nazareth. The chanting was delivered by the Hegoumen of Acre, Archimandrite Philotheos in Greek and Arabic, as the service was attended by Arab-speaking and Russian faithful.

“As the ecumenical movement, we are providing humanitarian and spiritual support to Syrians in facing these challenges,” reads the letter. “But we are seeing a continuing outflow of young people migrating to look for a better future abroad, a tide that improved conditions in the country could help turn around.”

Churches and ACT members in Syria have developed institutions that specialize in humanitarian relief and development, and that serve all people without discrimination. “In addition to schools, medical and health facilities, and community centres, psycho-social services are provided, and small businesses supported,” reads the letter. “However, the humanitarian relief and development efforts are insufficient to counterbalance the widespread suffering caused by international sanctions.”