NEWS
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II Attends the Celebration of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa
for the Greek Orthodox on the Occasion of the 17th Centenary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, attended the celebration held by the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa for the Greek Orthodox, at the Greek Club located within the premises of the Greek Consulate in Alexandria. The event was organized in commemoration of the Year of Saint Athanasius the Great, the 20th Coptic Patriarch.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I visits the “Bezikian Center” which is actually under construction
As previously announced, in a gracious response to the wish 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), Mr. Zareh Bezikian and his daughter Ani decided to sponsor the construction of a five-floor multipurpose building at the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon. This very generous gesture is as well an expression of love and gratitude towards Mr. Zareh Bezikian’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alecco and Ani Bezikian. The center will be called BEZIKIAN CONVENTION CENTER (ՊԷԶԻՔԵԱՆ ԿԵԴՐՈՆ).
Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II consecrated St. Thomas Cathedral in Mosul, following its reconstruction after it was completely destroyed in 2014
On October 10, 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), consecrated St. Thomas Cathedral in Mosul, following its reconstruction after it was completely destroyed in 2014.
Meditation of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa: XXVIII Sunday of Ordinary Time C
(Lk 17:11–19)
To enter into today’s Gospel (Lk 17:11–19), let us begin with a detail in the text that holds a specific symbolic value, consistent with the rest of the Gospel.
In verse 11, Luke recounts that Jesus is walking toward Jerusalem, passing through Samaria and Galilee (“As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee” –Lk 17:11).
In reality, from a geographical point of view, the route would begin from Galilee, passing through Samaria, and then arriving in Jerusalem. Luke reverses the order of the route, and this inversion is not a mistake but an important narrative sign.
His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan Sends a Thank you Letter to His His Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis on the Occasion of His Historic Patriarchal Visit to Kerala
His Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios CLEEMIS,
Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church
Major Archbishop's House, Pattom, Trivandrum - 695004
Kerala, India
Dear Brother in Christ:
Since my return to the Patriarchate in Lebanon, I never cease to recall the wonderful days spent, thanks to the Lord Jesus, with you and your clergy and laity faithful, having been your host, along with the group of clergy and nuns who did accompany me, on this memorable visit to our beloved Sister Syrian Malankara Church.
All of us continue to speak up our deep thanks and admiration for your exceptional paternal welcome, your outstanding generosity, and kindness…
Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian Visits His Holiness Catholicos Aram I
On Thursday, October 9, 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), received Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, 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. The meeting served as an occasion to exchange views on the situation in Lebanon, the role of the Lebanese Armenian community, and Armenian diaspora-Armenia relations.
His Holiness welcomed the ongoing and expanding cooperation between the Holy See of Cilicia and the Armenian Evangelical Churches, and at the same time commended Haigazian University for its significant contribution to education and intellectual life.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV: Faith cannot be separated from love for the poor
Taking up Francis’ desire “that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the poor”, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV issues his first Apostolic Exhortation, “Dilexi te”, as a call to Christ’s disciples “to recognize him in the poor and the suffering”.
By Salvatore Cernuzio
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Exhortation sees the love of Christ incarnated in love for the poor, in caring for the sick, opposing slavery, defending women who experience exclusion and violence, making education available to all, accompanying migrants, charitable giving, working for equality and more.
Day Two of the Holy Antiochian Synod Under the Presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch John X
Balamand, Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Under the presidency of 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, the second day of the Holy Synod began with Prayer. The Fathers of the Antiochian Synod lifted their supplications for the martyrs, wounded, and people of Gaza—especially its children—denouncing the world's failure and silence facing this human tragedy. They prayed the Lord God to guide the rulers of this world toward ending this great calamity.
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Participates in a Panel Entitled
“Syria: In Search of Unity Amidst Fragmentation"
On October 8, 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), participated in the panel entitled: “Syria: In Search of Unity Amidst Fragmentation”, at the Conference organized by the Middle East Research Institute (MERI), held in Erbil.
The conference was attended by His Excellency Mr. Nachirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as well as many dignitaries and religious leaders.
Their Eminences: Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, were also present.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Young People: Go beyond your comfort zones and build peace
In a message for the 40th World Youth Day, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reminds young people that as Christians they have a responsibility to stand alongside those who suffer and become active artisans of peace.
By Linda Bordoni
In his message for the 40th World Youth Day, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV encouraged young people not to “follow those who use the words of faith to divide” but to work for reconciliation, "becoming active artisans of peace.”
The annual World Youth Day, celebrated by churches at the diocesan level, takes place on 23 November in preparation for the global gathering in Seoul in 2027.
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Arrives to Erbil Starting His Apostolic Visit to the Archdiocese of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs
On October 6, 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 Erbil starting his apostolic visit to the Archdiocese of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs.
His Holiness was received at Erbil International Airport by His Excellency Mr. Ano Jawhar Abdoka, Minister of Public Transportation and Communications in the Kurdistan Regional Government, Mr. Nabaz Abdelhamieh, Governor of Erbil and Interim Qaimaqam of Ankawa, Mr. Khaled Alber, General Director of the Christian Affairs in the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Mr. Emil Stephan, Counselor for Christian Affairs at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, and their Eminences: Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, and Mor Timotheos Moussa Al-Shamani, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mor Matta Monastery.
He was accompanied by His Eminence Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary.
The Holy Antiochian Synod of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East Opens Its Session
Balamand, October 7, 2025
The Holy Synod of Antioch convened at the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand under the presidency of 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, with the participation of the Hierarchs, Their Eminences: Elias (Beirut and Dependencies), Elias (Tyre, Sidon and Dependencies), Damaskinos (São Paulo and All Brazil), Saba (New York and All North America), Silouan (Byblos, Batroun and Dependencies), Basilios (Akkar and Dependencies), Ephrem (Tripoli, Koura and Dependencies), Ignatius (France, Western and Southern Europe), Ghattas (Baghdad, Kuwait and Dependencies), Silouan (British Isles and Ireland), Antonios (Zahle, Baalbek and Dependencies), Nikolaos (Hama and Dependencies), Basilios (Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines), Ignacio (Mexico, Venezuela, Central America and the Islands of Caribbean Sea), Athanasios (Latakia and Dependencies), Jacques (Buenos Aires and All Argentina), Ephrem (Aleppo, Iskenderun and Dependencies), Niphon (Shahba), Gregorios (Homs and Dependencies), and Antonios (Bosra, Hauran and Jabal al-Arab).
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I Receives ARF Zavarian Student Delegates Ahead of Inter-Students Conference
On Friday, October 3, 2025, participants from the ARF Zavarian Students Association’s inter-student conference visited 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), at St. Mary Monastery in Bikfaya to receive his blessings prior to the conference’s opening.
The Commemoration of Saint Thekla at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
From the General Secretariat of the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On Tuesday, 24th September / 7th October 2025, the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the commemoration of Saint Thekla, the First Martyr and Equal to the Apostles, who came from Iconium of Asia Minor. She became a disciple of the Apostle Paul, abandoned her betrothed Thamyris, endured torments for Christ in Antioch and other places, preached Christ, and when a rock was rent asunder, it covered her. Having retired to her homeland, she fell asleep in the Lord at the age of ninety.
His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa in a Letter to the Diocese of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Prot. N. (1) 2291/2025
To the Diocese of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Dear brothers and sisters,
May the Lord give you peace!
For two years, the war has absorbed most of our attention and energy. By now, everyone is sadly aware of what has happened in Gaza: continued massacres of civilians, starvation, repeated displacement, limited access to hospitals and medical care, lack of hygiene, without forgetting those who are being held against their will.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Travel to Türkiye and Lebanon
The Holy See Press Office announces Pope’s first Apostolic Journeys abroad, which will take him to Türkiye from 27 to 30 November, and then to Lebanon until the 2 December 2025.
By Vatican News
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, has announced that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will travel to Türkiye and Lebanon in late November and early December of this year.
The visits will be the Pope’s first Apostolic Journeys abroad.
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Inaugurates “Archbishop Mor Severius Hawa Hall” at Dar Sharqi Guesthouse in Bab Sharqi - Damascus
On October 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), inaugurated “Archbishop Mor Severius Hawa Hall” at Dar Sharqi Guesthouse in Bab Sharqi - Damascus.
The inauguration was also attended by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Severius Hawa, Archbishop of Baghdad and Basra, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous 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, Mor Christophoros Markose, Patriarchal Secretary for the Affairs of the Church in India, Mor Andrawos Bahhi, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education, Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, and His Grace Bishop Mor Iwannis Boulos Al-Souqi.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Pauline Sisters: Don't let burdens deter your precious work
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV tells Daughters of St. Paul their work is precious to the Church and to the world, and invites them to look to the zeal of Saint Paul, "to his tireless joy in proclaiming Christ."
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"To proclaim and spread the Word, dedicating one's life to the cause of the Gospel in the footsteps of Jesus the Master, and seeking paths, instruments, and languages so that all may know and follow the Lord—this is the heart of your apostolate."
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV gave this encouragement to the Daughters of St. Paul in the Vatican on Thursday morning who are in Rome to participate in their General Chapter, one hundred and ten years after the founding of their Institute.
Meditation of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa: XXVII Sunday of Ordinary Time C
Lk 17:5-10
Today”s Gospel passage (Lk 17:5-10) opens with a request the apostles make to Jesus to increase their faith: «The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith”» (Lk 17:5).
In this chapter, Jesus addresses aspects of community life, such as scandal, guilt, and forgiveness. The apostles’ question arises within the context of a real and concrete community that must learn to deal with the evil present within it. It is the question of those who recognize their own fragility in the face of the evil they repeatedly encounter. Verse 4 (“If your brother wrongs you seven times in one day…” Lk 17,4) shows that the possibility of brothers harming each other is not remote; it is a daily reality.
Faced with this possibility, confronted by evil, the apostles feel powerless: they know they cannot overcome it on their own. Evil is like the mulberry tree Jesus mentions a little later (Lk 17:6). The mulberry tree was common in Jesus’ time and had special characteristics: its roots were strong and penetrated deep into the ground, making it a long-lived tree, difficult to uproot. So it is with evil. Uprooting it can sometimes seem impossible…
Press Engagements of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I in Astana
During the International Interreligious Summit in Astana, 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), gave interviews to Kazakhstani state media and various international outlets. He warmly praised Kazakhstan’s initiative to broaden interreligious dialogue, advocating for such summits to feature expert committee discussions. Consistent with his opening speech, he called for interreligious cooperation to progress from mere dialogue to joint action on defined agendas. His Holiness stressed that these agendas should focus on current global challenges, such as peaceful coexistence, environmental protection, genocide prevention, human rights, and safeguarding sacred sites. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of religious leaders distancing themselves from political and ideological motives, instead guiding conflict resolution through moral and ethical values.