In his message for the 58th World Day of Social Communications, His Holiness Pope Francis urges humanity to cultivate wisdom of the heart in the age of artificial intelligence.

By Francesca Merlo

His Holiness Pope Francis has released his message for the 2024 World Day of Social Communications, focusing on the theme: Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication.

Celebrated on 12 May, this year's theme is closely linked to the Pope’s message for the World Day of Peace, which was devoted to the development of systems of artificial intelligence (AI).

Under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, the two-day conference on Armenia, Artsakh, and regional developments concluded its sessions on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, addressing critical issues related to the depopulation of Artsakh. Noteworthy statements emerged from the conference, including the unanimous characterization of the depopulation of Artsakh as genocide by international law experts and genocide scholars. The conference drew parallels to the historical Armenian Genocide, emphasizing the alarming international indifference surrounding the depopulation of Artsakh.

Mark 1:14-20

This Sunday's Gospel (Mark 1:14-20) takes us to the shores of Lake Tiberias in Galilee, where Jesus goes after his baptism along the Jordan River.

Upon learning the news of the Baptist's arrest, Jesus leaves Judea and returns to the place where he grew up, where he begins his public ministry.

The evangelist Mark tells us that this beginning is fulfilled in two ways: first, Jesus announces that the time is fulfilled and that the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mk 1:15); then, passing along the shores of the lake, he calls four men, who were working there, and invites them to follow him (Mk 1:16-20).

To get into this passage, I would first like to pause on one of the first words spoken by Jesus. After saying that a new time is beginning, Jesus invites everyone to conversion, "Repent" (Mk 1:15).

It may happen to think that to convert means to enact different attitudes, a radical change of life to be achieved with considerable personal effort. Or that a conversion necessarily depends on striking events, like that of St. Paul on the road to Damascus…

With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and MECC Honorary President, His Eminence Archbishop Nareg Alemezian met with His Beatitude Cardinal Kurt Koch, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, on January 18th, 2024.

The discussions centered around various aspects of the Ecumenical movement, including relations between the Vatican and the Holy See of Cilicia, as well as the ongoing Theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the family of Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Balamand, Lebanon, January 21, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand, assisted by His Eminence the Most Revrend Metropolitan Antonios (Houran) in the Service. The Ceremony was attended by the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Gerasimos Kabbas, Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George Al- Homeyra, Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Georges Yaacoub, Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand, Rt. Rev.Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology in Balamand, and several Fathers, Priests, Deacons, and the choir of the Institute who served during the Liturgy.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Patriarch John X reflected on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians (3: 4-11), recited during the Liturgy, continuing until Colossians (3: 12-15). In these passages, the Apostle outlines the Christian way of life and the essence of the struggle that every believer undertakes after being baptized.

At the Angelus, His Holiness Pope Francis announces a “Year of Prayer” ahead of the upcoming Jubilee, and invites the faithful to pray for Christian unity and for peace throughout the world. The Holy Father also calls for the release of a group of people, including several nuns, who were kidnapped last week in Haiti.

By Christopher Wells

His Holiness Pope Francis has inaugurated a Year of Prayer ahead of the 2025 Jubilee, calling on the faithful “to intensify prayer to prepare us to live well this event of grace and to experience the power of God’s hope.”

On January 18, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and MECC Honorary President for the Oriental Orthodox Family, visited his brother in Christ His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and MECC Honorary President for the Oriental Orthodox Family, at the Headquarters of the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon, to offer him Christmas greetings.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was accompanied by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Gomidas Ohanian, Dean of the Cathedral, and Shahan Sarkissian, Director of the “Cilicia Catholicosate” Library, were also present.

On January 18, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and MECC Honorary President for the Oriental Orthodox Family, received his brother in Christ His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President, at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian was accompanied by Msgr. Patrick Mouradian, General Patriarchal Vicar, Msgr. Nareg Namoyan, Fr. Raffi Ohannesian, and Mr. Charbel Bastouri, Director of Public Relations.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Severius Roger Akhrass, Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, also attended the meeting.

Inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity invites us to pray for love of God and neighbour.

By Christopher Wells

For more than fifty years, the Catholic Church has joined with other Christian communities in the initiative of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WCPU).

Each year in January – beginning on the 18th and concluding on the feast of the conversion of St Paul, January 24th – Christian churches and ecclesial communities observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Following on the ecumenical impulse provided by the Second Vatican Council, in 1966 the fledgling Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity (which evolved into the Dicastery of the same name) began working with the World Council of Churches’ Faith and Order Commission to prepare materials for the annual Week of Prayer.

On Friday 12 January 2024, Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, Acting 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 for the Evangelical Family, alongside representatives from the UAECNE, visited His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President for the Catholic Family, to offer congratulations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination.

A gathering of Armenian Evangelical Pastors accompanied Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, Acting 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 for the Evangelical Family, on an official New Year’s visit to the Armenian National Sanatorium at Azounieh, Lebanon, on 9 January 2024. The UAECNE, along with the Armenian Church of the Great House of Cilicia, have partnered for over a century in overseeing the work of the Sanatorium.

This year too I invite everyone to celebrate Sunday of the Word of God on the third Sunday of the year. In the previous two years, the participation of the entire Church of Jerusalem, together with other Churches, was exceptional: priests and parishes, families, religious institutes, and youth participated with a truly edifying enthusiasm, making clear how much the Word of God is vital in the life of our diocese.

We celebrate this day during a time of immense tragedy for Gaza, and for the entire Holy Land. A tragedy that needs our heartfelt supplication to the Lord, like the widow in the Gospel, capable of tiring the unjust judge who has always denied her the justice she deserves, but who in the end, just to get rid of her, listens to her and grants her what she asks for. It is the same word of Jesus that gives us hope when He comments on the parable: “Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you: he will see that they get justice, and quickly.” (Lk. 18: 31)

Message of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia for the New Year 2024

To the Prelates,

the clergy,

the community authorities

of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia,

and to the daughters and sons of our people,

On the eve of 2024, with fatherly love, patriarchal blessings, and intense patriotic feelings, we greet the beloved­ daughters and sons of our people from the Monastery of the­­ Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia. We greet especially our Prelates, community authorities, the organizations and associations that are active in the Armenian community, as well as community, educational, charitable, cultural, social,­ and sports institutions, and we wish them all a year of new achievements. We pray to Most High God, that the New Year that begins with His Son’s becoming man and His revelation,­ will be full of heavenly ­riches and grace for our people.

During his brief visit to Doha, Qatar, upon the invitation of the Qatari Prime Minister, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, conducted meetings with the ambassadors of Lebanon and Armenia. Additionally, he attended a dinner hosted in his honor by the Qatari Ambassador to the UK, Fahad Bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, and visited former Minister of Energy, Abdullah Bin Attiyah, as per the latter’s invitation.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I also convened with the Executive Council of the Prelacy and received the Armenian community…

His Holiness Pope Francis appeals for an end to all wars, and prays that God might sow the seed of peace in the hearts of world leaders.

By Devin Watkins

As he led his Wednesday General Audience, His Holiness Pope Francis relaunched his appeal for peace in our war-torn world.

In his greetings to the Italian-speaking faithful, he expressed his solidarity with the people of countries that are enduring the horrors of war.

“We renew our prayerful closeness to the dear Ukrainian population so harshly tried and to those who suffer the horror of war in Palestine and [Israel], as well as in other parts of the world,” he said.

On Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and his Pontifical delegation arrived in Doha, Qatar, upon the invitation of the Qatari Prime Minister.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was welcomed at the airport by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar; the Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy in UAE and Qatar, His Grace Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian; the Co-chair of the Central Council of the Catholicosate, Mr. Krikor Mahserejian; the Chair of the Armenian National Representatives Assembly of the Diocese, Mr. Varoujan Nerguizian; Shant Vartanian (standing in for the Lebanese Ambassador in his absence)  and members from the Armenian community.

From Secretariat-General at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Tuesday, December 27/ the feast day of Saint Stephen the First Martyr (Old Calendar: January 9, 2024) the following Churches visited the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem for the celebration of our Christmas to relay modest holiday greetings:

1. The Franciscan Brotherhood – Custody of the Holy Land

2. The Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem

3. The Coptic Church in Jerusalem

4. The Syrian Church in Jerusalem

5. The Ethiopian Church in Jerusalem

6. The Anglican Church in Jerusalem

7. The Lutheran Church

8. The Brotherhood of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem.

We are all still enlightened by the light of the feast we celebrated yesterday, the feast of Epiphany: we saw that God manifests himself, reveals himself to those far away, wants to reach every man with his light, which is the light of mercy and peace.

Today too, on this feast of the Baptism of Jesus, we are reached by the same light; today too, God reveals himself to us, and he does so in a way, that even today, may surprise us.

The Gospel passage for this feast (Mark 1:7-11) is sharply divided into two parts.

The first part (vv 7-8) speaks of John the Baptist, his preaching and the expectation that animated him: John knew the arrival of the Messiah, a strong Messiah, was imminent (Mk 1:7). The Baptist waited for a powerful Messiah who, with this strength of his, with the superiority of his power, would restore justice, chastise sinners, eliminate evil.

This is John's expectation, and it is, after all, the expectation of each of us.

What do we expect of God but that he would set things right, that he would eliminate injustice, and that he would do so forcefully? Don't we expect a God who can do everything, and therefore put an end to what makes us suffer? Do we not continue to expect this?…

As is customary on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, His Holiness Pope Francis baptises 16 infants in the Sistine Chapel, welcoming them into their new life of faith.

By Francesca Merlo

His Holiness Pope Francis on Sunday 7 January 2023 baptised 16 infants on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Under the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, His Holiness Pope Francis celebrated the Lord's gift of faith to these children, saying they are also protagonists of the ceremony, since they give witness of how to receive faith. 

Although the children were all silent as the Pope spoke, “it only takes one to give the first note and the concert starts,” he said. Should they in fact cry, he continued “let them cry!”. Likewise, “if they are hungry, feed them”. They decide on this feast day, as they prepare to receive the gift of faith.

From Secretariat-General at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The Christmas Feast of Sunday, December 25, 2023/January 7, 2024, began with the Descent in the evening from the entrance to the Baptistery and the entrance to the Basilica, presided over by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias.

Then the sequence of Matins began, as written in the Minaion, in the Catholicon of the Basilica. During this time, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos the Third, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, the High Priests and the Priests proceeded to the Grotto, with, the President of the Supreme Ecclesiastical Committee, representative of the President of the Palestinian State Mr Mahmoud Abbas-Abu Mazen, Mr Ramzi Khouri and associates of his office on the right and the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr Dimitrios Angelosopoulos on the left and the representative of the King of Jordan.