"We need to stand together, coordinate, and work to stand by our children in this difficult time"

December 10, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, made several phone calls to 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, and His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Absi, Patriarch of the Greek Catholic Church, in the context of the latest events is happening in Syria. The three patriarchs stressed the need to unite efforts and coordinate in order to stand by their children in the even of what is happening in Syria. The patriarchs stressed the importance of preserving the Christian component and the values of citizenship and coexistence.

"I convey to you the solidarity of the World Council of Churches amidst the events in Syria"

Damascus, December 10, 2024

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, addressed a message of solidarity to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, conveying feelings of love and solidarity from the World Council of Churches towards the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East and all the churches in Syria. Dr Pillay’s message addressed the historic Christian presence in Syria and communicated prayers to the Lord of Peace that He may instill peace in all hearts.

Damascus, December 10, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, received a message of solidarity from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Bucharest and All Romania. The Romanian Patriarch expressed the Romanian Church’s support for the Antiochian Church in the context of the events taking place in Syria. His Beatitude affirmed that the Romanian Church raises prayers to the Merciful Lord to establish the Christians of this country in faith and hope.

"We join you in prayer and stand by our brothers in the Antiochian Church"

Damascus, December 10, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, received a phone call from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Sofia and All Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Patriarch expressed the Bulgarian Church's support for the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in the event of the developments taking place in the Middle East and in Syria. He stressed that the Bulgarian Church prays for God to send the spirit of peace to all hearts. For his part, Patriarch John thanked Patriarch Daniel for his fraternal stance, stressing the fraternal relations that bind the two churches and the Christian presence in the Middle East.

"We pray to Almighty God to establish peace in Syria"

Damascus, December 10, 2024

His Beatitude Patriarch Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, expressed fraternal solidarity with His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, in the context of the events taking place in the region. His Holiness expressed himself during a phone call with Patriarch John X. His Holiness affirmed that the Church of Constantinople stands by the Church of Antioch in this difficult time and asks the Almighty God to send His spirit of peace to the hearts of mankind. For his part, His Beatitude John thanked His Holiness for his solidarity and sincere feelings, stressing the deep bonds that unite the two Churches.

"We pray fervently to the Lord God to strengthen and comfort you"

Damascus, December 9, 2024

The Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine, His Beatitude Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III addressed a fraternal letter to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family. His Beatitude Theophilos expressed support and solidarity with the Antiochian Church during the current events in Syria. His Beatitude also asserted that the Church of Jerusalem stands by the Syrian people and the Antiochian Patriarchate, praying to the Lord God "to strengthen and comfort you."

Damascus, December 9, 2024

Social media and newly created pages are circulating many news, especially regarding the ecclesiastical situation in Syria.

We call our children to draw news from its official source - the page of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.

Damascus, December 9, 2024

"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved."

Syria has always been, and continues to be, a country honored by God as the cradle of His divine messages and the land that embraced the footsteps of His messengers and prophets, despite the many historical eras it has endured. Today, it stands at a new crossroads in its history, looking towards a bright future aspired by every Syrian—a future that reflects Syria's identity as a land of civilization and the cradle of history.

This phase requires wisdom, solidarity, and concerted efforts. Above all, it demands trust in God and reliance on Him, seeking His mercy and the wisdom of His providence to remain steadfast in the love of the homeland and the preservation of its people's dignity.

‏On December 8, 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 presided over the Holy Regional Synod in India.

On December 8, 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 celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Georges Cathedral in Malecuriz Dayro in Kerala.

The feast of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine the All-wise was celebrated in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Sunday, November 25 / December 8, 2024.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Saturday, November 24 / December 7, 2024, His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, visited the Holy Monastery of the Cross, accompanied by the Elder Chief-Secretary His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, the professor Mr Phaedon Kydoniatis and Archimandrite Bartholomew.

On December 4, 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 presided over the meeting of their Eminences the Archbishops of the Syriac Orthodox Archdioceses in Europe along with representatives of the councils, at Mor Jacob of Serough Monastery in Warburg - Germany.

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.