As His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, prepares to travel to Rome to meet His Holiness Pope Francis, the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop Angaelos of London speaks to Vatican News about the "great love and respect" between the two leaders.

By Joseph Tulloch

Exactly fifty years ago, the heads of the Coptic Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches signed a historic Christological agreement, putting an end to a 1,500-year old theological controversy and ushering in a new era of Coptic-Catholic relations. 

To mark the occasion, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, will be in Rome this week. 

On May 8, 2023, 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 Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem at the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was accompanied by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates, lMor Yacoub Babawi, Patriarchal Vicar for Monks Affairs and the Administration of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, prayed the Holy Liturgy, On Monday May 8, 2023 morning, at the shrine of St. Mark the Apostle in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Abbaseya, Egypt, on the occasion of the feast of his Martyrdom .

After the Holy Liturgy, His Holiness perfumed the relics of the Evangelist St. Mark, the founder of our Coptic Orthodox Church, who was martyred on the land of Alexandria on the 30th of Parmoute in the year 68 AD.

Jerusalem – The Media Office – The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, May 7th 2023

His Grace Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, and the Head of the Church for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, participated in HM King Charles III Coronation Ceremony as King of the United Kingdom, at Westminster Abbey on Saturday May 6th, 2023. His Grace Archbishop Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, presided over the Eucharist and the Coronation Ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Senior Bishops of the Anglican Church in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, members of the Royal Family, representatives of churches and other religions in England, and a multitude of heads of states and prominent figures.

His Grace Archbishop Naoum processed into the service holding the Holy Bible, and before the Coronation he presented the Holy Oil to Archbishop Welby to anoint the King during the prayers of consecration and blessings. The anointing with the Holy Oil is the most sacred part of the Coronation Ceremony.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem is delighted to announce that His Beatitude Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, has participated as a guest on Sunday the 7th of May 2023, at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Patriarch Theophilos was the only Orthodox head of church at the ceremony. The oil used in the coronation ceremony was consecrated by Patriarch Theophilos, and then by His Grace the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum at the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, further cementing the historic ties between the Coronation, the Bible, and the Holy Land.

The anointing oil utilized to anoint the King and Queen is derived from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, specifically two groves at the Monastery of Mary Magdalene, which also houses the burial place of the King’s grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece, as well as from the Monastery of the Ascension.

‎On May 8, 2023, 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 President Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, at the Presidential Palace in Ramallah.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates, Mor Boutros Kassis, Archbishop of Aleppo and Environs, Mor Yacoub Babawi, Patriarchal Vicar for Monks Affairs and the Administration of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, accompanied His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.

On May 6, 2021, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, consecrated Upper room of Zion Church at St. Mark Monastery in Jerusalem.

During the consecration, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazeera and Euphrates, Mor Boutros Kassis, Archbishop of Aleppo and Environs, Mor Yacoub Babawi, Patriarchal Vicar for Monks Affairs and the Administration of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, and Christophoros Markose, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India.

On Saturday, April 23/May 6, 2023, the memory of the Holy Great Martyr George the Trophy Bearer was celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

On this feast, the Church recalls in its memory that Saint George was by origin Cappadocian by father and Palestinian by mother. He served as a tribune, i.e. a centurion, in the Roman army, hiding his Christian identity at first, revealing it later, confessing Christ, being tortured and testifying for Him in AD 303 during the reign of Diocletian.

His holy relics were taken by his servant to Lydda, his mother’s homeland, and were then kept in the Holy Church erected in his name by Saint Helen.

His Holiness Pope Francis sends a video message to young people registered for World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, and urges them to prepare themselves to encounter others and grow in hope.

By Devin Watkins

With less than three months to go to World Youth Day (WYD), His Holiness Pope Francis has sent his encouragement to participants registered for the event in Lisbon, Portugal, on 1-6 August 2023.

In his video message, the Pope praised the excitement the young Catholics must feel as they prepare to travel.

“I can imagine the things you must have on your mind,” he said, “how you’re going to: make it happen, request your work or study permit, get what you need for your trip, so many concerns!”

On May 4, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, arrived to St. Mark Patriarchal Monastery in Jerusalem.

His Holiness entered the monastery in a procession. He was received by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, along with the monks and priests, as well as deacons.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II prayed the special services for the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the saints and blessed the faithful.

Jerusalem – The Media Office – The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem on the 4th of May 2023

His Eminence Archbishop Hosam E. Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, and the Head of the Church for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, delights in the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on 6th May 2023. As Supreme Head of the Church of England, Anglicans everywhere cherish the role King Charles will play in maintaining and preserving the Christian faith and its Anglican traditions.

On May 4, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, arrived to the Khalil gate in the Holy Land.

His Holiness entered the city in a great procession. His Holiness walked in the midst of the acclamations of the faithful. He was received by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, and the monks, priests, deacons, and delegations from representatives of the Christian churches from the Holy Land.

Then, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II entered the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where he kissed the Stone of Anointing and entered the tomb of the Lord Christ. He then prayed the service of the Holy Cross. Afterwards, His Holiness entered St. Nicodemus and St. Joseph church where prayed the special services for the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the saints. He blessed the people.

Damascus, Syria May 1, 2023

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, received His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, Greek Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Nicolas Antiba, in the Patriarchal Headquarters in Damascus to wish His Beatitude greetings on the glorious Pascha.

(Jn 10: 1-10)

The similarity of the good shepherd, which we find in this tenth chapter of the Gospel of John, is very rich and developed.

In fact, Jesus does not only compare himself to the “good shepherd”, a figure that has many references in various passages from the Old Testament; but He also compares himself to the “gate”, and uses the image several times also in reference to the shepherd, who enters the sheepfold by the gate.

Let us first look at this aspect. (Jn 10: 1-3).

The gate is what creates a connection, a passage between two places that would otherwise remain isolated from each other. And it is the image of human reality after the fall, after the drama of sin: humanity had become inaccessible, far from God, a world unto itself, unable to connect with the world of God; unable to listen.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, prayed the Liturgy on the Feast of the Martyrdom of St. George, on Monday 1 May 2023 morning, at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Liturgy was attended by the General Bishops of the districts in Alexandria, Father Abraam Emil, Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria, a large number of Priests from Alexandria, and the congregation who filled the corners of the great Church there.

In the sermon of the Liturgy, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II spoke about the many Feasts of Martyrs and Saints in the month of May, such as St. George the Martyr, St.Mark the martyr, St. Pope Athanasius the Apostolic, St. Demiana the Martyr and St. Anba Pachomius the Great.

BETHLEHEM - From April 28 to 30, 2023, His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, made a pastoral visit to St. Catherine's in the city of Bethlehem, where he prayed, listened to the consecrated persons and parishioners, and took note of all the pastoral activities of the parish.

On the first day, the Terra Sancta scout group welcomed His Beatitude at the entrance of the church of Saint Catherine, along with Fr. Rami As'akira, the parish priest, who expressed his joy for the Patriarch's visit. Mgr Pizzaballa then met with the scouts before going to Bethlehem University, where he met with Fr. Iyad Twal, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University, as well as several heads of departments to learn about the latest developments on the campus.

Sunday, the 17th / 30th of April 2023, was celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem as the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women and Joseph of Arimathea in accordance with the Gospel narratives and the book of Pentecost on the 3rd Sunday of the Resurrection.

On this Feast, the Church commemorates Joseph of Arimathea, the present day Ramle, who asked for and received the Immaculate Body of the Lord from Pilatewrapped it in a shroud, and buried it in an empty Tomb that was close to the place of His Crucifixion. (John 19, 38-42). It also commemorates the Myrrh-bearing women, who “after the Sabbath bought perfumes, so that the Body of Jesus would be anointed, and coming to the monument they saw the stone being measured and a white angel sitting on the monument and saying “he is not here…, see the place where they placed him”, (Mark 16,6). These glad tidings were announced by the myrrh bearers to the apostles and by the apostles to the whole world.

HAIFA - On April 30rd, 2023 took place the traditional procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in the city of Haifa, Galilee. You can find the video for more details.

Click here to see all the pictures.

A Special Interview with His Beatitude on Télé Lumière and Noursat

Télé Lumière and Noursat presents a special interview in Arabic with His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox family, under the title " The Light from Antioch the Great with His Beatitude Patriarch John X", from the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Mersin.

This interview comes within the Patriarchal visit held by His Beatitude to Antioch, Alexandretta and Mersin, following the earthquake that struck the North of the Antiochian Levant. It was prepared and presented by the journalist Lea Adel Maamary and directed by Farid Assaf. You can watch the video by clicking here.

On April 25, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, presided over an online meeting of the General Secretariat of the Holy Synod. Their Eminences, members of the General Secretariat: Mor Justinus Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Patriarchal Vicar in the Archdiocese of Eastern USA, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, participated in the meeting.