On September 4, 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), visited St. Stephen Church in Keferbe.

Their Eminences: Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, Archbishop of Turabdin, Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Cetin, Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, Mor Dioscoros Benjamin Atas, Patriarchal Vicar of Sweden, Mor George Kourieh, Patriarchal Vicar of Belgium, France and Luxembourg, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Youhanon Lahdo, Archbishop of Sweden and Scandinavia, were also present.

On September 3rd, 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), visited St. Dimet Church in Arbo.

Their Eminences: Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, Archbishop of Turabdin, Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Cetin, Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, Mor Philoxenus Saliba Ozmen, Archbishop of Mardin, Diyarbakir and Environs, Mor Gregorius Malke Urek, Patriarchal Vicar of Adiyaman and Environs, Mor Maurice Amsih, Archbishop of Jazirah and Euphrates, Mor George Kourieh, Patriarchal Vicar of Belgium, France and Luxembourg, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Youhanon Lahdo, Archbishop of Sweden and Scandinavia, were also present.

Balamand, September 4, 2025

His Beatitude John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, received the Cypriot Ambassador to Lebanon, Maria Hadji Theodosiou, accompanied by a delegation, at the Patriarchal Residence in Balamand.

The meeting included a review of the historical ties between the Church of Antioch and Cyprus, in light of the ongoing developments and challenges facing the Christian presence in the East. Discussions also covered means of cooperation between the University of Balamand—represented by its president, Dr. Elias Warrak—and the Cypriot delegation, which is visiting the university to sign memoranda of understanding and cooperation.

A group of Armenian Evangelical pastors and family members visited the Armenian National Sanatorium of Azounieh on 30 August 2025. They led a time of worship with the elders gathered outside, and had an enjoyable time of conversation and refreshments. Afterwards the pastors and their wives visited those elders who remained in their rooms, offering prayers and encouragement.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, delivered his weekly Sermon in the Wednesday Meeting, at the Church of Virgin Mary and St. George in the Ghobrial district of Alexandria. The sermon was broadcast through Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C. channel of the Church Media Center.

His Holiness prayed the Vespers Prayers, joined by Their Graces Bishop Pavly (General Bishop of the Montazah sector churches), and Bishop Hermina (General Bishop of the Eastern Alexandria sector churches), as well as Hegumen Abram Emil (General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), the priests of the church, a number of Priests from Alexandria, the Deacons’ choir, and a great multitude of the congregation who filled the Church.

In his prayer intention for September 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV invites us to pray that we might experience our interdependence with all creatures, who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

By Christopher Wells

Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for September 2025 is for “our relationship with all of creation.

In this month’s Pope Video, the Holy Father invites us to pray that “inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.”

On August 31, 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 at Mor Abrohom and Mor Hobil Monastery in Midyat.

Lk 14: 25-33

The central theme of today's Gospel passage (Lk 14:25–33) focuses on following the Lord, being his desciples, walking with Him. 

The passage begins by noting that a large crowd was traveling with Jesus (Lk 14:25), and then recounts His words to those who came to Him and wished to be His disciples (Lk 14:26–27).

As Jesus walks toward Jerusalem, seeing the great crowd following Him, He speaks with clarity and strength, for to follow Him is to share in His mission and to be led to His ultimate goal.

The National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL) opened its 62nd General Assembly Monday, September 1, 2025, at the Dhour Chweir Evangelical Center in Lebanon. The three-day gathering, held Sept. 1-3, brings together pastors, delegates and church leaders for worship, celebration, reflection and decision-making on the life and mission of the Synod.

The Assembly theme, drawn from Isaiah 43:18-19, is: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.” The theme underscores God’s promise of renewal and hope amid ongoing challenges in Syria, Lebanon and the broader region.

In her address, the Reverend Najla Kassab, President of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), said the gathering reflected a message of hope: “In the middle of all the challenges the General Assembly carried a message of hope rooted in our coming together as a body of Christ dedicated to serve the people in the region and secure human dignity for all.”

On September 2nd, 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), visited St. Quryaqos Church in Urnus.

Their Eminences: Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, Archbishop of Turabdin, Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Cetin, Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, Mor Dioscoros Benjamin Atas, Patriarchal Vicar of Sweden, Mor Philoxenus Saliba Ozmen, Archbishop of Mardin, Diyarbakir and Environs, Mor Gregorius Malke Urek, Patriarchal Vicar of Adiyaman and Environs, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Christophoros Markose Abraham, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Youhanon Lahdo, Archbishop of Sweden and Scandinavia, were also present.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV renews his invitation for Christians to join together on September 1 to celebrate the World of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which draws inspiration from the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the theme: “Seeds of Peace and Hope.”

By Vatican News

On September 1, Christians across the world unite to mark Creation Day, the annual celebration of the mystery of Creation.

On August 30, 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 at Mor Gabriel Monastery in Qartmin, on the occasion of his Feast. More than 6000 people gathered for the occasion.

On Thursday, the 15th/28th of August 2025, the Patriarchate solemnly celebrated the Feast of the Dormition of our most-blessed and all-glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, in the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Gethsemane.

For this feast, Vespers was held in the afternoon of the eve, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Theophanes of Gerrash, with the participation of local faithful and a few pilgrims from abroad.

The Patriarchate of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholics announces the launch of the official website dedicated to the Canonization of Blessed Maloyan. The purpose of this website is to provide the faithful with all necessary information to participate in this major ecclesial event. It contains comprehensive details on the procedure for Lebanese citizens to obtain travel visas, in addition to complete travel packages that include airfare, accommodation, and transportation. The website also provides the required facilities for our faithful in the diaspora who wish to take part in this historic occasion at the heart of the Universal Church.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, delivered his weekly sermon this evening during the Wednesday meeting from St. Mark’s Grand Cathedral in Alexandria. The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C Channel, affiliated with the Media Center of the Church.

Before the Vespers prayers, His Holiness visited the art exhibition of the secondary school youth of Alexandria and took commemorative photos with the top students of the General Secondary, Technical Diplomas, and equivalent certificates.

Pope Tawadros then prayed Vespers, with the participation of Their Graces Bishop Pavly (General Bishop of the Montaza sector churches), and Bishop Hermina (General Bishop of the East Alexandria sector churches), along with the Hegumen Abram Emil (General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), the priests of the church, some priests from Alexandria, the deacons’ choir, and a large congregation that filled the church.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has united his voice to the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs’ joint appeal for an end to the war in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to flow freely into the enclave.

By Devin Watkins

The Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem released a joint appeal for peace in Gaza on Tuesday, August 26, saying there is no reason to justify “the deliberate and forcible mass displacement of civilians.”

On August 28, 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) arrived to Mardin Airport starting his first apostolic visit to the Archdiocese of Turabdin.

With a Cross-Resurrectional ethos, today, Wednesday, the 14th/27th of August 2025, at 7.30 p.m., on the Eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, the Holy Sepulchre Brotherhood marched in procession from the Central Monastery to the Holy Shrine of Gethsemane for the Epitaph service, the Lamentations for the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

This most moving, majestic, and in many respects unique ceremony has held its place in the Church order and the Status Quo of the Church of Jerusalem for a long time.

This service was preceded by an All-Night Vigil, on the night of the 13th to the 14th of August 2025, at the Holy Tomb of the Theotokos, presided over by the Hegoumen of the Shrine, His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis.

To our beloved students,
To the esteemed parents,
To the priests and religious who serve in our Church schools,
To the principals, teachers, and educators,
To the General Secretariates of Christian Schools in the Holy Land,

The Lord May give you Peace!

We stand at the threshold of a new scholastic year. Once again, our schools throughout the Holy Land open their doors to welcome tens of thousands of students—Christian and non-Christian alike—who sit side by side at the same desks, united by a love for learning and animated by hope in the future. Each one of them is a precious gift from God, a sacred trust placed in our care.

Yet, with deep sorrow, this joy does not extend to our children in Gaza, who for the third consecutive year are deprived of their right to education because of the war. Their schools have been destroyed, their classrooms have closed. We carry them in our prayers, imploring that peace may soon prevail so that they may return to their desks and reclaim their childhood.

Lk 14: 1,7 -14

The invitation to lunch at the house of one of the Pharisee leaders provides Jesus with an opportunity to re-flect and share his thoughts with the other guests. His reflection begins with observations about the guests. As is often the case, Jesus starts with what he sees and then makes broader reflections on life, the way people live in the world, and what they strive for in vain.

He tells two short parables: The first is about the seating of wedding guests (Lk 14:8-10), while the second is a short story about inviting those to your table who can give you nothing in return (Lk 14:12-14).