Patriarchs urge Lebanese, Syrians to find hope in the Resurrection.
BEIRUT — In Easter messages, two Catholic patriarchs criticized the situation in Lebanon and urged the faithful to cling to the hope of the Resurrection despite the prevailing darkness. One of the patriarchs also visited Syria, where he called for the international community to lift sanctions. From Lebanon, Cardinal Bechara Rai, patriarch of Maronite Catholics, noted that “the joy of
IRAQ – Chaldean Patriarch Sako reveals: the Pope has donated 350 thousand dollars for the poor Iraqis.
Baghdad (Agenzia Fides) - Pope Francis, in his recent apostolic pilgrimage to Iraq, together with the spiritual comfort and hopes of rebirth for all Iraqis, also left a substantial donation of 350 thousand dollars in the country, to be allocated to initiatives in support of families most affected by the consequences of conflicts, the economic crisis and the pandemic. This
Iraqi Cardinal Calls for Religion, State Separation One Month After Papal Visit.
ROME (Crux) — One month after Pope Francis’s historic visit to Iraq, one of the country’s top Catholic prelates has outlined his vision for the country going forward, making the bold suggestion of enforcing a stricter separation between religion and the state. In a written reflection on Pope Francis’s historic March 5-8 visit, Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako called
Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq has given fresh impetus this Easter to a movement of Iraqi Christians returning to their homeland after fleeing genocide at the hands of Daesh (ISIS).
Exactly one month on from the papal visit, which took in Baghdad, Mosul, Ur and Erbil, Christians in the mainly Syriac Catholic town of Qaraqosh (Baghdeda) have reported that the euphoria of the pope’s visit has caused people to consider a return. Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Revan Possa, 30, from the Qaraqosh reconstruction
Papal visit to Iraq: ‘Hopefully this will motivate the international community to help’.
AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED (ACN)i is encouraged by the outcome of Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq, which ended March 8. “The trip has already changed how the majority society in Iraq views Christians They have understood that Christians are not just guests from the West, but that they have their roots there and are truly a part of
Syriac Catholics, led by patriarch, process through streets of Qaraqosh.
QARAQOSH, Iraq — Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan, visiting from the patriarchate in Beirut, led about 20,000 Christians through the streets of Qaraqosh Palm Sunday, March 28. Patriarch Younan told the faithful that the Syriacs of Qaraqosh “are the pupils in the eyes of our Syriac Church. You are the best lung in which our Syriac Church breathes,
Gaza parish priest: despite COVID-19, Easter is a time of lively participation for Christians.
Cases of new coronavirus are on the rise in the Strip, but the pandemic has not stopped the desire for participation. Once more, Israel has not granted any travel permits, using the health emergency to keep tight control. For Fr Romanelli, at a time of uncertainty, faith is strengthened: “let us feed the desire to live through works and prayer”.
Easter reflections 2021 from Sami El-Yousef, CEO of Latin Patriarchate.
Reflections from the Holy Land Easter Greetings I had the full intention to send these reflections last week during the Holy Week. However, my 99-year-old dad passed away peacefully on Palm Sunday and I was preoccupied with the funeral arrangements and coming to terms with our loss. This was a time for further reflection as many of the traditions we
Easter Message of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem 2021.
Easter Message of the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem (2021) "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." (Colossians 3.1) We, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, send our Easter Greetings of hope to Christians around the world from the
Patriarch Pizzaballa presides over Passion of the Lord service at Holy Sepulchre.
JERUSALEM – On Friday, April 2, 2021, His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the Passion of the Lord service at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. During this time, the Church relives the trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus. In the Holy Sepulcher, the faithful are gathered at Calvary as close as possible to the site