Lk 1: 26-38

The evangelist Luke frames the Annunciation episode with a series of elements that provide valuable keys to illuminate the whole scene.

The first element we focus on is the reference to the pregnancy of cousin Elizabeth and all that was told immediately before the Annunciation to Mary.

Indeed, our text begins with a temporal clarification: we are in the sixth month (Lk 1:26), and it is precisely the sixth month since the conception of John the Baptist. The angel Gabriel's address to Mary then ends with an explicit reference to Elizabeth and her pregnancy (Lk 1:36-37). On the basis of these words, Mary agrees to the Lord's proposal so that the angel can depart from her (Lk 1:38).

On December 3, 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 Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, met the newly elected presidents and members of Archdiocesan Council of the Patriarchal Vicariate of Germany, at Mor Jacob of Serough Monastery in Warburg.

His Eminence Archbishop Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar of Germany, was also present at the meeting.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Monday, November 19 / December 2, 2024, His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, planted in the outer precinct of the Holy Cross Monastery the first olive tree out of the hundred planted in this Holy Monastery in the presence of the Elder Chief-Secretary His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Hegoumen of the Monastery Archimandrite Christodoulos, Archdeacon Mark and the overseer of the estate of the Monastery of the Cross.

From November 27 to December 2, 2024, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the United Kingdom to mark the 70th anniversary of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher’s Lieutenancy in England and Wales.

The visit began on November 28 with a special parliamentary reception at the Palace of Westminster, organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference. There, Cardinal Pizzaballa met Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Members of Parliament, civil servants, and representatives of charities working in the Holy Land. Reflecting on the ongoing struggles in the region, he emphasized the importance of faith and hope. “Hope is a daughter of faith,” he said, urging action in the face of adversity. He acknowledged the devastation caused by war but expressed optimism for grassroots-driven change: “The status quo in our lands is over. We cannot go back to the previous situation.”

By His Beatitude Patriarch John X

The video presents a Christmas Reflection by His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family.

It was originally published on theFacebook Page of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.

In his traditional greetings to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the occasion of the feast of Saint Andrew, His Holiness Pope Francis calls for ongoing efforts and prayers for “the gift of unity” among Christians, remarking that their fraternity and witness can also serve as a model for today’s world "plagued by war and violence”.

By Lisa Zengarini

Following a long-standing tradition, on the occasion of today’s Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, patron saint of Constantinople, His Holiness Pope Francis has sent a delegation to Istanbul to convey his greetings and the assurance of his “fraternal affection” to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I.

On Saturday, November 30th, 2024, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, engaged throughout the day in diligent monitoring of the distressing situation resulting from the attacks perpetrated by armed groups in Aleppo. Maintaining constant communication with the Prelate of Aleppo, HE Arch. Magar Ashkarian, and community leaders, His Holiness conveyed his profound appreciation for their steadfast efforts to safeguard the welfare of the Armenian community with the highest level of responsibility.

On Friday, November 29/16, 2024, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the commemoration of the Holy Hieromartyr Philoumenos of the Holy Sepulchre Brotherhood at Jacob’s Well in Nablus of Samaria.

On this feast, the Church of Jerusalem remembers that the Holy Hieromartyr Philoumenos came from Cyprus and joined the Holy Sepulchre Brotherhood at a young age. He served in various ministries with devotion. During his last appointment as a Hegoumen at Jacob’s well he was attacked brutally on the day of the feast of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, November 29/16, 1979, while he was praying in the chapel next to the well. That attack took away his earthly life and gave him the inheritance of eternal life.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, with a Synodical Decision proceeded in his canonization in the chorea of the Hieromartyrs in 2009.

On Wednesday 27 November 2024, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, welcomed Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and his accompanying delegation at the Papal Residence in Cairo.

Rev. Dr. Pillay expressed his happiness at visiting Egypt for the first time, praising the participation of several Coptic Orthodox Bishops in the WCC’s Central Committee and other committees, commending their notable activity and exceptional contributions.

He also thanked the Coptic Orthodox Church for its role in preserving the Christian faith through the ages and for offering profound spirituality and teachings that continue to inspire and benefit Christians worldwide.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee concluded its meeting in Cyprus with inspiration and practical plans for a way forward with hope, even in a challenging world. 

The governing body met in Paralimni, Cyprus, from 21-26 November to focus on planning for 2025, including the budget and implementation of WCC strategies. The thematic focus of the gathering was on peace-building in the context of occupation, war, and conflicts.

“At our meeting in Cyprus, I felt the heartbeat of the World Council of Churches,” said WCC moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. “The members of our executive committee come from all continents of the world.”

Many of them, he added, come from countries where violent conflicts, occupation, or other forms of injustice dominate everyday life and weigh heavily on people's lives. “They brought all these backgrounds into our consultations,” he said.

Video - A Book for the Occasion of the 150th Jubilee of the Chaldean Church in Lebanon

A report that sheds light on the book “The Chaldeans in Lebanon,” which was published on the occasion of the 150th Jubilee of the Chaldean Church in Lebanon. The report includes an interview with His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Community in Lebanon.

Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

The time before the return of the Lord is described as a time of great upheaval: The evangelist Luke describes them to us in today's passage (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36) as natural phenomena affecting the moon, the sun, the stars and the sea (Lk 21:25), to say that even the most stable things will be shaken and upset.

There are times in life when even the foundations of existence lose their ability to offer certainty, and the reference points that seemed absolutely certain are lost. The most natural reaction in the face of these upheavals is fear: “distress among nations”, it says in v. 25, while Luke speaks a little later of a big fear “People will faint from fear” - Lk 21:26).

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

Damascus – November 26, 2024

Patriarch Aphrem II: "We welcome the statement of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches on the Conflicts in the Region"

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, welcomed the statement on the war in Gaza, Lebanon and the wider Middle East, issued by the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) which was held in Paralimni – Cyprus, from 21 to 26 November 2024.
His Holiness appreciated the Executive Committee's call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon and the region to prevent more casualties and to restore compliance with international law. He valued their demand for the elimination of obstacles to humanitarian access. He also commended their call for the unconditional facilitation of humanitarian aid in conflict areas in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, as well as in Lebanon, Syria and other conflict-affected areas, especially after the attacks on hospitals, clinics, healthcare workers and volunteers in Gaza and Lebanon, the intentional destruction of medical facilities and the obstruction of aid from reaching those in need, in violation of international laws and the sanctity of life.

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Celebrated the Mass

During the final week of the 2024 liturgical year, Christian youth groups across the Diocese of Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Jesus, King of the Universe, with a series of events focused on various themes. The celebrations were marked by the participation of clergy, including the Patriarch, bishops, priests, and consecrated men and women.

On Friday, November 21st, 2024,the Youth Group of Palestine, Youth of Jesus' Homeland (YJHP), held a special event for university students and working professionals. The celebration commemorated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Secretariat. His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the Mass at St. Catherine's Church in Bethlehem, with Msgr. William Shomali, Patriarchal General Vicar, and several priests concelebrating. During the Mass, Fr. Louis Salman, Spiritual Chaplain, announced the end of the current General Secretariat's term and the appointment of the new Secretariat for the years 2025-2028.

On November 22, 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 Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, attended the Holy Liturgy on the occasion of the declaration of Sainthood of the Massabki Maronite Brothers, at St. Antonios Maronite Cathedral in Bab Touma.

On Thursday, November 8/16, 2024, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the Synaxis of the Supreme Commanders Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the heavenly bodiless hosts.

On this feast the Church remembers that the Angels, according to Saint Paul, are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1,14). Many incidents refer to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel in the Old and the New Testament. According to these, the Archangel Michael stood up against the angels that followed Lucifer saying: “Stand firm, stand in fear”. The other Angels followed him in the Doxology of God, unlike Lucifer, who chose to be distant from God.

The Church implores them for great protection when it chants in its Kontakion: “Supreme Commanders of God and ministers of the Divine Glory, guides of men and leaders of the bodiless hosts: Ask for what is to our profit and for great mercy, since ye are the Supreme Commanders of the bodiless hosts”.

Jerusalem, November 19, 2024

His Eminence Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England, recently visited Jerusalem, where he met with His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and was accompanied by His Eminence Bishop Hosam Elias Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, and the Primate of the Episcopal Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. The visit, which took place Tuesday, November 19, underscored the ongoing commitment to Christian unity and dialogue in the Holy Land.

Last year, as a means of standing in solidarity with the multitudes suffering from the newly erupted war, We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, took a mutual decision to call upon our congregations to forego the public display of Christmas lights and decorations, along with their associated festivities.

While our intentions in doing so were good, many around the world nevertheless misinterpreted this call to signify a “Cancellation of Christmas” in the Holy Land—the very place of our Lord’s Holy Nativity. Because of this, our unique witness to the Christmas message of light emerging out of darkness (John 1:9) was diminished not only around the world, but also among our own people.

John 18:33-37

The book of Exodus is permeated by a question that will accompany biblical Israel throughout the history of revelation: Who is the true king? The one who feeds me but oppresses me and takes away my freedom, like Pharaoh in Egypt, or the one who liberates and saves me, like the Lord God?

This question about the king in our lives, about the king we want, is basically a question we all have to ask ourselves.

Although the various liturgical celebrations focus precisely on the liberation from Pharaoh, biblical Israel often forgets its liberation from Egypt in the course of history: it forgets that God alone is its king, that God alone is the only liberator. And therefore, it will want its own king, like the king of all other nations.

That is, it succumbs to the temptation to have a strong and powerful man at its head, a brave man who can guarantee it wealth and security, who can feed it, as Pharaoh did.

On Friday, November 9/22, 2024, at 10.00 am, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the Doxology that was held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the 19th enthronement anniversary of His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem.

The Doxology was presided over by His Beatitude and with Him their Eminences the High Priests of the Throne, Holy Sepulchre Hieromonks, and Deacons, and Priests from the various parishes of the Patriarchate. The chanting was delivered by Hierodeacon Simeon, as the service was attended by the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr Dimitrios Anengelosopoulos, Mrs Anna Mantika and faithful from Jerusalem.

After the Doxology, led by the Patriarch, all present went to the Patriarchate Reception Hall.