To bishops, priests, monks and nuns, consecrated men and women, and all Chaldean faithful in the world.

I extend my heartfelt wishes of a Merry Christmas and happy New Year, to each and every one of you, praying for grace, health, peace and joy throughout 2024 and beyond.

As we are preparing for Christmas, it is necessary to think seriously about our faith in Jesus Christ, and to renew our commitment to Him clearly, especially that we are living in a world that does not care about human and spiritual values, and surrenders selfishly to materialism and pleasure, a world that has begun to depend more and more on artificial intelligence without evaluating its risks to humanity, a world that completely different from the one before. In the mid of such unstable political, security, and economic systems around the world, where people are experiencing wars in Ukraine and the Holy Land, and conflicts almost everywhere, even though poor people are still missing peace and awaiting it as it was announced by angels on Christmas Eve, “and on earth peace” (Luke 2/14).

The Church: The Universal as well as our Chaldean Church, must exercise its mission with courage and without fear, preaching the message of Christ, the “Messenger” of peace, fraternity, and love, and never stop demanding people’s rights, freedom and dignity, in order to achieve justice and equality on the basis of full citizenship…

Our spiritual children in Christ,

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

(Isaiah 9: 6)

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

As we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are once again reminded of the reality of our broken world. The diminishing of faith of many, leading to the denial of the existence of God offers an easy path towards self-destruction. Man is distancing himself from God, distorting thus the image of God after which he was created, by rejecting God's work in his life. Consequently, man treats his fellow human beings unjustly, mistreats the creatures entrusted to him by God, damages the earth and corrupts nature.

Despite humanity's distance from God, God promised salvation to mankind, as expressed through the words of the Prophet Isaiah: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9: 6)…

By the mercy of God Almighty

His Beatitude Patriarch John X

Patriarch of Antioch and all the East

to

My brothers, Pastors of the Holy Church of Antioch

My sons and daughters, all over this Apostolic See

"Bethlehem has opened Eden: come let us see!... come, let us seize Paradise hidden in the cave! ... here the Virgin has borne a child, quenching Adam’s thirst..."

With these words, voicing the hymnographer, the Holy Church invites us to contemplate the Nativity of Christ. The Nativity of Christ is the birth of light and the birth of hope in the journey of our lives. His nativity is the birth of our humanity yearning for the elixir of eternity. His nativity is the birth of joy dispelling the darkness of worldly preoccupations.

In poor Bethlehem, the humble Enriching-God came to us. A child came to us from a virgin mother to quench the thirst of our hearts and humanity for the Creator…

His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Catholic Family, visited his brother His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, Greek Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, at the Patriarchate headquarters in Damascus, Syria, in the presence of a group of Priests.

His Holiness Pope Francis launches a heartfelt appeal for an end to the “terrorism” of war, and condemns an [Israeli] military attack on Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Parish, which killed two Christian women and destroyed a convent of the Missionaries of Charity.

By Devin Watkins

His Holiness Pope Francis appealed on Sunday for an end to the war ravaging the Holy Land, praying especially for Christians holed up in the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza.

At the Angelus Prayer, His Holiness Pope Francis said he continues to receive troubling news from Gaza, where “unarmed civilians are the targets of bombings and gunfire.”

Following the murder of two women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, on Saturday 16 December 2023, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement, which you can find its full text.

The Armenian Evangelical Pastors and Spouses in Lebanon met in KCHAG for a one-day gathering on 9 December 2023. Despite the cold and rainy weather, a warm atmosphere reigned among those present as they spent time in worship and discussion.

Rev. Hovhannes Svadjian presented a Reflection for the day, taking up the Apostle Paul’s words to the church in Corinth to increase in the grace of God. He exhorted the assembly to have this same positive attitude during all types of trials.

In 2023 the Armenian Evangelical Bethel Church and Secondary School of Aleppo celebrated their 100th anniversary, with both the Church and the school planning events to celebrate these twin occasions.

On December 4 the “Tehlirian” Hall of the newly-constructed Armenian Evangelical community headquarters in Aleppo hosted an Exhibition-Lecture dedicated to the 100th anniversaries of the Armenian Evangelical Bethel Church and School. The program included an exhibition of historic photos, performances and lectures. Civil and community representatives, as well as the Archbishops of the Armenian Apostolic and Armenian Catholic communities, were present. Offering lectures were Levon Sharoyan, Maria Kaprielian and the Church’s pastor and Syria’s Armenian Evangelical Community Head Rev. Dr. Haroutiun Selimian.

On Wednesday afternoon, December 13th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, visited His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President for the Catholic Family, at the Catholic Patriarchate.

Accompanying His Holiness Catholicos Aram I were HE Arch. Nareg Alemezian, HE Arch. Shahan Sarkissian, Director of the Cilicia Museum, V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian, Director of the Information and Communication Department, and V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian, Director of the Middle East section of the Ecumenical Relations.

Balamand, Lebanon, December 14, 2023

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, warmly welcomed His Eminence Sheikh Ali Al- Khatib, Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, during a meeting at the Patriarchal Residence in Balamand. Accompanying His Eminence were the Mufti Sheikh Hassan Abdullah, the Mufti Sheikh Abdul Amir Shams al-Din, Special Advisor to His Eminence Dr. Ghazi Qanso, and Media Advisor Mr. Wassef Awada. Representing the Antiochian side were His Grace Bishop Moses Al-Khosi, Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Georges Yaacoub, Abbot of Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery, Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand and President of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), and Consul Mark Ghorayeb, the Honorary General Ambassador of Albania in Lebanon.

Mark 1:1-8 

In difficult times, when we wait and hope for help that will somehow come, there is always someone who first sees the way to salvation.

Someone who has honed the gaze of the heart, who has drawn on words that come from afar and for that reason, is the only one capable of illuminating a new stretch of road.

This one has a specific and fundamental task: to warn everyone of what is happening, so that even those who do not yet see, may realize, may open their eyes, may awaken from their torpor. May they awaken the expectation they carry within them.

His task is decisive, like that of the gatekeeper mentioned in last Sunday's Gospel (Mk. 13:34): he sees the master's return first, and warns everyone in the house.

Salvation history is studded with these figures, these prophets who announce the return of God who renews the covenant with his people. Often they do not have an easy life, because opening to the newness requires a deep awareness of what dwells in us, which may not be understood by others. This is why many of them have been rejected, excluded; some even killed.

Negotiations at the UN Climate Summit, COP28, are struggling. The usual conflicts over finance and equity are making it difficult for parties to agree. The new text, which builds on consultations with the parties, is a sign of some worrying compromises, as they inadequately acknowledge the seriousness of the climate crisis. Still, countries are far apart and getting ambitious decisions at this COP seems a tall order.

This is despite COP 28 starting on a good note with the adoption of a decision to set up the Loss and Damage fund and funding arrangements.

On December 11, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, laid the foundation stone of the new building of the Holy Cross Monastery in Sweden.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, presided over the fifth online consultation on December 7th, 2023, uniting experts to delve into pressing matters for the Armenians of Artsakh.

In attendance were Prof. Ashod Melkonian, Prof. Rupen Safrasdian, Dr. Armen Maroukian, Dr. Vahram Palayan, Dr. Vicken Cheterian, Dr. Khatchig Der Ghougasian, Mr. Shahan Kandaharian, and Aharon Shekherdemian serving as the secretary.

The session commenced with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I providing a brief overview of his recent discussions with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives and congressmen. In these meetings, the focus centered on ensuring the collective return of Artsakh Armenians, emphasizing the necessity for international security guarantees associated with the return, and addressing broader principles concerning the protection of the rights of the people of Artsakh.

On December 10, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, presided over the Evening Prayer (Ramsho) at Mor Aphrem Cathedral in Sodertalje. He was received by the kids who welcomed him with hymns and chants.

Homs, Syria, December 8, 2023

The Archdiocese of Homs, both Clergymen and lay people, came to welcome His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for then Orthodox Family, accompanied by their new Archdiocesan Pastor, His Eminence Metropolitan Gregorios (Al Khoury). Government and Religious personalities together with security officials blended with crowds for the occasion. At the end of the Prayer of thanksgiving, His Beatitude Patriarch John X handed the rod of pastoral care to His Eminence the new Metropolitan Gregorios. He addressed the audience, saying: “Lord, Lord: Look down from heaven and behold, and visit this vine and perfect that which Thy right hand hath planted.” Thus, we pray the Lord that He look upon the Archdiocese of Homs, which the Holy Spirit is handing over today to its new cultivator, His Eminence Gregorios.

Then, His Beatitude Patriarch John X addressed the people of Homs saying: “As for you, people of Homs, I say: Relate with Him in a symphony of love, love one another so that people will know that you are my children.”

On December 6th and 7th, His Eminence Arch. Nareg Alemezian conducted official meetings in the Vatican with His Holiness Pope Francis, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, and representatives from the Dicasteries for Promoting Christian Unity and the Eastern Churches.

During his meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis, His Eminence Arch. Nareg conveyed warm regards from His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and discussed the recent developments in Artsakh, Armenia, and Lebanon. He highlighted the challenges faced by Armenians and outlined the measures initiated by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to address them. Arch. Nareg also presented his book, "Instruction on the Orthodox Faith and Virtuous and Pure Life," dedicated to His Holiness Pope Francis in gratitude for his declaration of St. Krikor Naregatsi as Doctor of the Church in 2015.

In his Angelus address on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, His Holiness Pope Francis highlights two key attitudes of Mary—amazement and fidelity—emphasizing the importance of cherishing God's blessings, showcasing gratitude, and making small, daily choices to welcome the Lord's presence.

By Francesca Merlo

Addressing the faithful gathered on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, His Holiness Pope Francis turned to the Gospel of the day, which recounts the Annunciation. In doing so, the Holy Father focused on two of Mary’s attitudes “that help us understand how she would have guarded the unique gift she received – a heart completely free from sin”.

These two attitudes, the Pope said, are “amazement regarding the works of God and fidelity in the simple things”.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, congratulated his children throughout the Coptic Orthodox Church on the approaching month of Kiahk, describing it as a beloved month in the Coptic Church, in which we remember our Virgin Mother and which is full of praise and Prayer. He called on everyone to Pray throughout the month of Kiahk for the wars currently taking place.

This came before the start of his weekly sermon at the Wednesday meeting that was held on the evening of Wednesday 6 December 2023, in the ancient church of the martyr Philopateer Mercurius “Abu Sefein” in Old Cairo.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II said: “We pray from our hearts for God to grant grace, wisdom, and good management to those in authority around the world.”

On December 7th, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President for the Catholic Family, visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, at the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon.

The discussion encompassed the recent Vatican Synod of Synodality, the international conference commemorating the 850th anniversary of the passing of St. Nerses the Gracious, the situation of displaced Artsakh Armenians in Armenia, and the current state of Lebanon.