On February 5, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and MECC Honorary President, presided over the Holy Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Church in India.

‏Their Eminences the Metropolitans, members of the Holy Regional Synad in India were also present.

JORDAN - On Friday, February 2nd, 2023, on the feast day of the Patron Saint of the youth, St. John Bosco, the General Secretariat of the Christian youth in Jordan held a celebratory meeting for the university and working ages, titled "Messengers of light and peace".

At the beginning of the day, they celebrated Mass, which was presided over by Fr. Wajdi Twal, the spiritual guide of the youth. In his Homily, being moved by the Divine Sacrifice of the Lord, he spoke of the importance of each person's role in making a difference in the life of those around them, to fulfill the dream of Saint John Bosco, who is always present with the youth, accompanying them in their suffering and pain amidst the troubles of this life. He said: "The Christian youth's role in our world is to shine their light, by fulfilling their vocation, as well as mission, and conquering the world with God's love". During the Mass, the new members of the General Secretariat were appointed to take on the responsibilities of managing the youth's activities in 2024. They made a public declaration and promised to serve the youth with integrity, and honesty, to the best of their ability.

GALILEE - On Sunday, February 4th, 2024, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the Annual Mass at the Church of the Beatitudes of the Franciscan Sisters for the Feast of the Beatitudes. Concelebrating were Mgr Youssef Matta, Greek Melkite Archbishop of Galilee; H.E. Mgr. Musa Al-Hajj, bishop of the Archieparchy of Haifa and the Holy Land for the Maronites; Mgr Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo; Mgr Piotr Przyborek, Auxiliary bishop of Gdansk - Poland; in addition to a group of priests and the Redemptoris Mater Seminary students.

Despite the rainy weather and the relatively small-sized church, many faithful from various parishes of Northern Galilee came and gathered in the corridors of the monastery and the church, to pray on this blessed feast day and ask the Lord, who taught multitudes on this same mountain they stand upon, to grant this Holy Land peace and stability. 

In his message for Lent 2024, His Holiness Pope Francis invites the faithful to “pause” for prayer and to assist our brothers and sisters in need, in order to change our own lives and the lives of our communities.

By Christopher Wells

“When our God reveals Himself, His message is always one of freedom,” His Holiness Pope Francis says in the opening of his Message to the faithful for Lent 2024.

Recalling the Exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt, the Holy Father explains that our journey through the desert can be a season of grace – not an abstract journey, but a concrete path that involves seeing the world as it is and hearing the cries of our oppressed brothers and sisters.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, presided over the Sunday Divine Liturgy on January 28th, 2024, held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Sharjah. The liturgy was celebrated by the Prelate of UAE and Qatar, His Grace Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian.

Before inviting His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to address the faithful, the Prelate extended a warm welcome, acknowledging the significance of His Holiness's visit and reflecting on the consecration of the church by His Holiness, 25 years ago. He emphasized that this blessed visit would serve as a catalyst for the revitalization of the community, expressing filial gratitude and extending wishes for a long and healthy reign to Catholicos Aram I. His Grace Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian also conveyed greetings to Arch. Oshagan, the first prelate of the UAE and Qatar, as well as to the servants and volunteers of the Church.

The twentieth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place in Rome from January 22-26, 2024 and was hosted by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

‏It was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and by His Grace Bishop Kyrillos, Coptic Orthodox Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles, California, USA.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Justinos Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, and Mor Polycarpus Augeen Aydin, Patriarchal Vicar in The Netherlands, represented our Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch in the meeting, as well as representatives from the Catholic Church and from the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

‏The two delegations met separately on the morning of January 22. Plenary sessions were held from January 22 to 26, each day beginning with a brief prayer service based on material prepared for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

His Holiness Pope Francis releases his Prayer intention for the month of February 2024, and invites everyone to pray for the terminally ill and their families.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

His Holiness Pope Francis' monthly Prayer intention this February is for the terminally ill and their families.

The Pope invited the Church to pray for this intention in this month's The Pope Video, which is entrusted to the entire Catholic Church through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

This month's Video comes during the month in which the Church observes the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, 11 February, on which the World Day of the Sick takes place.

His Holiness Pope Francis explains that “when some people talk about terminal illnesses, there are two words they often confuse: incurable and un-'carable.' But they are not the same.”

“We emphasize the depth of the relationship between our Churches and work together to confront all challenges”

Damascus, Syria, January 29, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, received the Most Reverend Metropolitan Anthony, Chairman of the Department of Foreign Relations at the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia, at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Damascus. The meeting was attended by the Russian Ambassador to Damascus, His Excellency Alexander Yefimov, Archpriest Nicolay Balashov, the Rt.Rev. Archimandrite Philip Vasiliev, representing the Russian Patriarch to the Antiochian Patriarch, Father Igor Yakimchuk, and Father Alexander Yershov. On the Antiochian side, Their Graces bishops Romanos (Al-Hannat), Moussa (Al-Khoury), Ioannis Batach, and Dr. Hassan Risha attended.

On January 29, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and MECC Honorary President, visited His Highness Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar Maharaja of Mysore, at the Mysore Palace, in India.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Dioscoros Kuriakose, Metropolitan of the Simhasana Churches of Northern Kerala, Mor Eustatheus Isaac, Metropolitan of Bangalore, Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, accompanied His Holiness during the visit…

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and representative of His Holiness Pope Francis in the Holy Land, undertook a pastoral visit to the Arab Catholic community at Our Lady of the Ridge Church on Saturday, January 27, 2024. The anticipated event drew over 400 Arab Catholics, along with the attendance of Archdiocesan Bishops, Clergy, and esteemed members of the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre.

During his visit to Our Lady of the Ridge Church, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa engaged with the Our Lady of the Holy Land community, a group dedicated to serving Arab Catholics…

His Holiness Pope Francis highlights the dialogue of charity, truth, and life in his address to the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

By Christopher Wells

His Holiness Pope Francis on Friday received members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches at the Vatican, on the twentieth anniversary of the Commission’s foundation.

With approximately 50 million members throughout the world, the Oriental Orthodox Churches represent an ancient Christian tradition that recognizes the first three Ecumenical Councils, while adhering to a “miaphysite” Christology – the subject of ongoing ecumenical discussion.

In his address on Friday 26 January 2024, His Holiness Pope Francis encouraged Commission members to continue to “pray and work tirelessly in the service of communion and in countering the famine of peace spreading throughout so many parts of the earth.”

A special seminar on Armenian Evangelical worship was held on 20 January 2024, organized by the the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE)’s Central Committee, led by Reverend Nishan Bakalian. Over 70 participants gathered in the Hassessian Hall of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Nor Marash, Lebanon, for this one-day seminar, in order to examine the foundations of worship, its Armenian Evangelical expression and content, and the process of preparing a worship service. The participants, active workers in Armenian Evangelical churches and schools in Lebanon, also heard Armenian Evangelical Pastors relate their experiences on the day’s subject.

Reverend Bakalian gave special emphasis to the fundamental role of the personal spiritual life of the one preparing a worship service, in order to properly guide worshipers toward God. He also gave various definitions of “worship” as food for thought, such as “Telling the story of Jesus”.

His Holiness Pope Francis presides over Ecumenical Vespers to close the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and invites all Christians to avoid the devil’s trap of division through prayerful, selfless service.

By Devin Watkins

“Only a love that becomes gratuitous service, only the love that Jesus taught and embodied, will bring separated Christians closer to one another.”

His Holiness Pope Francis offered that invitation on Thursday 25 January 2024 evening in his homily at an ecumenical Evening Prayer service held in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

At the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Pope joined the heads and representatives of various Churches for Vespers, including Metropolitan Polycarp of Italy, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, addressed the faithful at the Srpots Nahadagats (Holy Martyrs) Church in Abu Dhabi during the second day of his Pontifical visit to the Armenian Diocese of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, on Tuesday, January 24th, 2024.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was warmly welcomed at the gates of the church by Prelate His Grace Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian, the Pontifical Vicar of the Kuwait Diocese V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manouelian, the pastor of the said church, V. Rev. Fr. Vatche Balekjian, the Pastor of the Dubai and northern UAE community Rev. Fr. Aram Deyirmenjian, the co-chair of the Central Council of the Catholicosate, Krikor Mahserejian, the chair of the Armenian National Representatives Assembly (NRA) of the Diocese, Mr. Varoujan Nerguizian, members of the NRA, Diocesan Executive Council, local parish committee, students of the Ara Khanoyan Armenian school, and the faithful.

With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and MECC Honorary President, on January 22nd, 2024, His Eminence Arch. Nareg Alemezian visited His Beatitude Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

The discussion primarily focused on the current situation in Lebanon, where His Eminence Arch. Nareg conveyed His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s concerns and thoughts regarding the ongoing issues. Additionally, His Eminence Arch. Nareg briefed His Beatitude Cardinal Parolin on His Holiness’ official visit to Qatar and his meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister.

Given the close acquaintance with the Catholicos, the Cardinal acknowledges and salutes His Holiness’ dedicated efforts in Lebanon and his contributions to the Ecumenical and interreligious spheres.

On January 25, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and MECC Honorary President, arrived to Bangalore International Airport, beginning his Apostolic visit to India.

His Holiness was accompanied by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, and Deacon Elie Zouky.

In his message for the 58th World Day of Social Communications, His Holiness Pope Francis urges humanity to cultivate wisdom of the heart in the age of artificial intelligence.

By Francesca Merlo

His Holiness Pope Francis has released his message for the 2024 World Day of Social Communications, focusing on the theme: Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication.

Celebrated on 12 May, this year's theme is closely linked to the Pope’s message for the World Day of Peace, which was devoted to the development of systems of artificial intelligence (AI).

Under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, the two-day conference on Armenia, Artsakh, and regional developments concluded its sessions on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, addressing critical issues related to the depopulation of Artsakh. Noteworthy statements emerged from the conference, including the unanimous characterization of the depopulation of Artsakh as genocide by international law experts and genocide scholars. The conference drew parallels to the historical Armenian Genocide, emphasizing the alarming international indifference surrounding the depopulation of Artsakh.

Mark 1:14-20

This Sunday's Gospel (Mark 1:14-20) takes us to the shores of Lake Tiberias in Galilee, where Jesus goes after his baptism along the Jordan River.

Upon learning the news of the Baptist's arrest, Jesus leaves Judea and returns to the place where he grew up, where he begins his public ministry.

The evangelist Mark tells us that this beginning is fulfilled in two ways: first, Jesus announces that the time is fulfilled and that the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mk 1:15); then, passing along the shores of the lake, he calls four men, who were working there, and invites them to follow him (Mk 1:16-20).

To get into this passage, I would first like to pause on one of the first words spoken by Jesus. After saying that a new time is beginning, Jesus invites everyone to conversion, "Repent" (Mk 1:15).

It may happen to think that to convert means to enact different attitudes, a radical change of life to be achieved with considerable personal effort. Or that a conversion necessarily depends on striking events, like that of St. Paul on the road to Damascus…

With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and MECC Honorary President, His Eminence Archbishop Nareg Alemezian met with His Beatitude Cardinal Kurt Koch, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, on January 18th, 2024.

The discussions centered around various aspects of the Ecumenical movement, including relations between the Vatican and the Holy See of Cilicia, as well as the ongoing Theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the family of Eastern Orthodox Churches.