Commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, the Opening Worship Service for the 78th General Assembly of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) took place on 29 June 2025, at the First Armenian Evangelical Church, Beirut. The service was also broadcasted live on the UAECNE YouTube Channel.

Members of Union Churches, Pastors, Ecumenical Representatives and friends joined with participants to take part in a solemn and spiritually uplifting evening, enjoying God’s presence through song and reading, Prayer and preaching.

Basing his Sermon on Hebrews, chapter 11, Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, Acting President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family, explored the strength the Church finds in its common witness of faith.

Under the auspices and blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Armenological Center of the Catholicosate of Cilicia concluded its academic year with a ceremony marking the graduation of three students—Claudine Geudelekian, Perouz Tutunjian, and Anita Nalbandian—who successfully completed the Center’s three-year program.

The intimate ceremony began with opening remarks by the Center’s director, Mr. Aharon Shekherdemian. Representing the graduating students, Ms. Anita Nalbandian delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on their academic journey. The event culminated with the distribution of diplomas by His Holiness Aram I, who also addressed the audience with a closing message.

Presiding over the Mass on the Solemnity of the Patron Saints of the Diocese and City of Rome, with the blessing and imposition of the pallium on the new Metropolitan Archbishops — His Holiness Pope Leo XIV invites the faithful to contemplate the two Apostles. Though different in their gifts and approaches, they lived “a fruitful harmony in diversity.”

By Edoardo Giribaldi

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV presided over the celebration of Sunday's Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of the Diocese and city of Rome, in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Mass included the blessing and imposition of the pallium on 54 new Metropolitan Archbishops.

Balamand, June 30, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, received France’s condolences for the Martyrs of St. Elias Church in Doweila. The condolences were conveyed by His Excellency, the French Ambassador to Lebanon, Mr. Hervé Magro, and His Excellency the Chargé d’Affaires of the French Embassy in Syria, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Faivre, who met with the Patriarch at the Patriarchal Residency in Balamand.

During the meeting, the French delegation expressed their condemnation of this genocide.

For his part, His Beatitude Patriarch John X thanked the French side for its solidarity and humanitarian support for the Antiochian Church and the families of the martyrs.

The meeting also included a discussion of the general situation and current issues in light of the ongoing developments on the local and regional levels.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee expressed “deep lamentation and outrage” as the crisis in Palestine and [Israel] escalates to levels that flagrantly violate international humanitarian and human rights law as well as the most basic principles of morality.

“We recognize a clear distinction between the Jewish people, our siblings in faith, and the acts of the Government of [Israel], and we reaffirm that the WCC stands firm against any kind of racism, including antisemitism, anti-Arab racism, and islamophobia,” reads a statement released by the WCC governing body. “However, the unbearable suffering inflicted on the people of Gaza, and the escalating violence and oppression in the West Bank and in Jerusalem compel the global fellowship of churches to speak with clarity, urgency, and commitment to the principles of justice under international law and ethics.”

The Coptic Orthodox Church, led by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, escorts to the Paradise of Joy the martyrs who fell as a result of the treacherous suicide bombing that took place inside the Church of Saint Elias in the Douilaa district of Damascus, Syria.

Damascus, June 22, 2025

On this day when our Antiochian Church commemorates All the Saints of Antioch, the treacherous hand of evil struck this evening, claiming our lives, along with the lives of our loved ones who fell today as martyrs during the evening Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Prophet Elias in Dweilaa, Damascus.

According to the initial information available at this time, an explosion occurred at the entrance of the church, resulting in the deaths of numerous martyrs and causing injuries to many others who were inside the church or in its immediate vicinity.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), has recently released a new publication titled “In Search of Self-Understanding: A Christian Anthropological Perspective.”

In the presence of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate held the closing ceremony of its weekly Bible study sessions on June 17, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator. These weekly gatherings have served as a space for spiritual reflection, prayer, hymn recitation, and community fellowship through various social activities.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends a message on the occasion of a Peruvian theatre performance honouring investigative journalist Paola Ugaz, and calls for a culture that does not tolerate any kind of abuse in the Church and for the defence of press freedom. He praises journalists who expose abuse, stating that silencing them threatens democracy and undermines the Gospel's call for justice and truth.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

In a message against all forms of abuse, Pope Leo XIV has called for a cultural transformation within the Catholic Church.

“[It is necessary to] radicate throughout the Church a culture of prevention that does not tolerate any form of abuse: abuse of power or authority, of conscience or spirituality, of sexual abuse”, he writes.

Jerusalem, June 22, 2025

With hearts heavy with sorrow and eyes lifted in prayer, we received the grievous news of the heinous attack that desecrated the sacred grounds of the Church of Saint Elias in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus. The deliberate targeting of the faithful in the house of the Lord, during a moment of reverence and peace, is an affront not only to our Christian brethren in Syria, but to the dignity of all humanity.

Jerusalem 23 June 2025

It is with profound shock and deep revulsion that we received the tragic news of the suicide bombing at St. Elias Church in the suburbs of Damascus, during Sunday prayer, that caused numerous fatalities and injuries among the faithful.

There is no justification—religious, moral, or rational—for the slaughter of innocents, least of all in a sacred space. Such violence under the guise of faith is a grave perversion of all that is holy. This is an act of unspeakable evil—a crime against humanity and a sin before God.

The ongoing military operations between Iran and [Israel] have naturally caused serious concern among the Armenian communities residing in both countries.

On Monday, June 16, 2025, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was able—with difficulty—to establish contact with His Eminence Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy in Tehran, as well as with representatives of the Armenian community. He was informed that the community had not suffered any damage and is closely monitoring the concerning developments on the ground through its religious and community structures and leaders.

As for the Armenian community of Jerusalem and its surrounding areas, His Holiness is likewise closely following their security situation.

“We take pride in our Antiochian Archdiocese in North America and throughout the diaspora”

Balamand, June 17, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, expressed the Antiochian Church’s pride in its faithful in North America and throughout the diaspora. The Patriarch’s words came during his reception of His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Saba (Esber), Metropolitan of New York and All North America, at the Patriarchal Residency in Balamand.

For his part, His Eminence emphasized the importance of embodying the belonging to the Antiochian Church, despite geographical distance and challenging circumstances.

On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Pope closes the Jubilee of Sport with a Mass, reminding everyone that sports can be a “means of reconciliation and encounter.”

By Kielce Gussie

In St. Peter’s Basilica in front of thousands of athletes of all levels, backgrounds and sports, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV presided over Mass to close the Jubilee of Sport and celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

In his homily, the Pope reflected on how “unusual” the connection between the Trinity and sport might seem. However, he pointed out that since every good human activity reflects God’s infinite beauty in some way, “sport is certainly one of these.”

14-6-2025

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV decries the military escalation between Iran and [Israel] and renews his appeal for dialogue and the pursuit of a world free from the nuclear threat.

By Linda Bordoni

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Saturday appealed to Iranian and [Israeli] leaders to step back from war and engage in dialogue for the common good.

Speaking during an Audience for the Jubilee of Sport in St. Peter’s Basilica, he said “No one should ever threaten another’s existence.”

"In these days, news continues to arrive that causes great concern. The situation in Iran and [Israel] has seriously deteriorated, and at such a delicate moment, I wish to strongly renew an appeal to responsibility and reason,” he said.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay strongly condemned the [Israeli] military attack on Iranian territory as “an unlawful act that violates international law and the sovereignty of a nation-state”.

“Such aggression endangers the entire Middle East region, reignites cycles of violence, and risks triggering a catastrophic war with global implications,” he said. “It challenges all efforts made through diplomacy and dialogue, and gravely undermines the pursuit of peace, justice, and human dignity.”

In a telegram for the Day of Life observed by the Church in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV calls on Catholics to continue to bear witness to the God-given dignity of every person without exception.

By Christopher Wells

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has expressed his “spiritual closeness” to all those taking part in the 2025 “Day for Life,” promoted by the bishops’ conferences of England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV addresses young people gathered in his hometown – Chicago – and urges them to build community, embrace God’s love, and become “beacons of hope” in today’s world.

By Linda Bordoni 

Thousands of young people gathered at Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox Major League Baseball team, on Saturday, June 14, for a joyful celebration organised by the Archdiocese of Chicago to honour the recent election of their native son, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

In a video message, the newly elected Pope, formerly Archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, expressed gratitude and encouragement to the young people of his hometown and the world.

On June 15, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), celebrated the Holy Qurobo for the feast of the Syriac Martyrs of Sayfo, and on the occasion of the end of the academic year at Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary, on the altar of the Martyrs of Sayfo at Mor Aphrem Monastery in Maarat Saydnaya.

His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Yacoub Babawi, Patriarchal Vicar for Monks Affairs and the Administration of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya, Mor Christophoros Markose, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary.