The Coptic Church Opens Its Doors to All Who Seek to Know Christ

H.H. Pope Tawadros II: “Athanasius became the voice of the entire Church and the tongue of sound faith in an age filled with debate and doubt.”

H.H. Pope Tawadros II: “Athanasius did not confront the heretics with violence or anger, but with the spirit, the power of reason, and the radiance of thought. Without his linguistic and intellectual enlightenment, faith would have been confused and its meaning lost.”

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II inaugurated the academic conference of the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI 2025), affiliated with the World Council of Churches. In his opening address, His Holiness welcomed the leaders of the institute and all participants in the conference.

He also delivered a lecture during the first session, expressing at the beginning his joy in their presence within the Coptic Orthodox Church, noting that the Coptic Church always rejoices in opening her doors to all who seek to know Christ, and that she offers from her heart genuine love to every human being, for she carries within her the deep teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, who said: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

On Monday, October 13, 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), departed on a Pontifical visit to Canada and the United States of America.
His Holiness’s Pontifical visit will embrace the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, as well as the Eastern and Western Prelacies of the United States. During this pontifical tour, His Holiness will successively visit Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Francisco, New York, New Jersey, and other regions.

As humanitarian aid is finally granted access to the Gaza Strip, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV instructs the Office of Papal Charities to send medicines for the youngest victims of the two-year conflict. Meanwhile, food aid distributions continue in Ukraine.

By Benedetta Capelli

In the days when the “spark of hope” — evoked by Pope Leo XIV last Sunday during the Angelus — appears to take more concrete form in the Holy Land, the Pope’s closeness becomes a tangible sign of care for the smallest and most vulnerable.

His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, made a three-day pastoral visit to the city of Karak, beginning on Friday, October 10, and concluding on Sunday, October 12, as part of his ongoing visits to the Latin parishes of the Diocese of Jerusalem.

Throughout the visit, His Beatitude met with the parishioners of Karak and learned about their daily lives, visiting local churches as well as several educational and social institutions. He also met with numerous families and faithful, affirming that “the people of Karak remain an essential part of the Diocese of Jerusalem, even as our attention is naturally and painfully drawn to what has been happening in Gaza.”

With the blessing and presence of of 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 refurbished "Izmirlian Building" at KCHAG conference center was rededicated at a ceremony on 12 Oct. 2025. The upgraded building is able to accommodate over 30 people. Christian Endeavor retreats, as well as other groups, will greatly benefit from this new facility. We give thanks to God for the benefactors as well as the committee members, whose efforts made this possible.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, received Professor Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary-General of the Middle East Council of Churches, at the Papal Residence in the Monastery of Saint Bishoy in Wadi El-Natroun.

On October 12, 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 Emm Nour (Mother of Light) Cathedral in Erbil.

On October 12, 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 Emm Nour (Mother of Light) Cathedral in Erbil.

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.

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).

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.

(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 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…

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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).