NEWS
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II consecrates of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon
On March 24, 2025, on the occasion of the Feast of the Suboro (Annunciation), His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, consecrated of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon.
His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Catholicos-elect His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Aphrem Matthews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Perumbavoor Region of the Angamali Diocese, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Antheemos Mathews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Muvattupuzha Region of the Angamali Diocese, and Mor Cyril Babi, Archbishop, Patriarchal Vicar and Director of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh, as well as the rest of their Eminences Archbishops members of the Universal Holy Synod of our Church.
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II inaugurates the garden of the church, under the name of the thrice Blessed Arcbhishop Mor Philoxenus Matta Chamoun
On March 24, 2025, after the consecration of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, inaugurated the garden of the church, under the name of the thrice Blessed Arcbhishop Mor Philoxenus Matta Chamoun.
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II inaugurates the Church of St. Mary Mother of God hall, under the name of “George Hanna Mansour Hall”
On March 24, 2025, after the consecration of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, inaugurated the new hall of the church, under the name of “George Hanna Mansour Hall”.
From the Latin Patriarchate Celebrations in Nazareth, God Changed the Course of History: Feast of the Annunciation 2025
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation on March 24 and 25, a momentous occasion of profound spiritual significance, commemorating the angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Savior of the World. In Nazareth, the very site of this sacred encounter, the faithful from across the Galilee gather each year to partake in spiritual and communal celebrations—a time of renewal, joy, and unity in faith.
Meditation Of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa : the Solemnity of the Annunciation
Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38
Dear brothers and sisters,
may the Lord give you peace!
This year, too, we have come to the feet of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, our Mother and the Mother of the Church. And as to every mother, we bring here our expectations, our fears and our need for consolation. We know that God is the source of consolation and that we must look to Him. Only in Him can we base our faith, especially in this very difficult time for us and the whole world
Instead of moving towards a context of encounter, instead of looking for ways and solutions for a perspective of peaceful coexistence, we see barriers of fear, mistrust, hatred and bitterness everywhere. And here in our Holy Land, we must continue to mourn our dead, the many wounds that worry our hearts, our families and our communities. We are tired of having to keep repeating this realization. But it is unavoidable not to think about what is happening around us.
The Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross at The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On the third Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, 10th/23rd March 2025, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the veneration of the Precious Cross, so that through its power, we may continue our struggle in the fast in preparation for the reception of the Holy Pascha.
This feast, being located in the middle of the Holy and Great Lenten period, was celebrated at the place where the immaculate feet of the Lord stood, and where His Precious Blood was shed for the salvation of the world. The celebration was led by is Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in accordance with the Status Quo and the formal arrangements of the Patriarchate, in a service of “parrhesia” with the Great Vespers in the evening at the Katholikon and the Divine Liturgy in the morning at the Holy Sepulchre.
His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s Official Visit to Bahrain
From March 20 to 23, 2025, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, embarked on an official visit to Bahrain. This visit aimed to strengthen the Christian presence in the region and reinforce the values of interfaith dialogue in a country that has long been a model for religious coexistence.
Warm Reception
Upon his arrival at Bahrain International Airport, Cardinal Pizzaballa was greeted by His Excellency Bishop Aldo Beradi, O.SS.T., the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, Fr. Sliman Hifawi, a priest of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem serving in Bahrain, along with a delegation of local priests and representatives from the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence. The warm welcome reflected Bahrain's spirit of religious harmony.
His Holiness Pope Francis makes first public greeting and blessing from hospital
His Holiness Pope Francis appears for the first time since his hospitalization from the balcony of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, before leaving the facility where he had been since 14 February. He greeted those present, imparted his blessing and gave the 'thumbs up' to the nearly three thousand people gathered in the square below who were applauding his appearance and release from hospital.
His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II accepts the invitation of the Sheikh al-Aql of the Druze community to attend an official Iftar banquet at the community's headquarters in Beirut
On the evening of Friday, March 21, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, attended the Iftar banquet hosted by Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna, Sheikh al-Aql of the Druze community, at the Druze Community House in Beirut.
Holy Mass in the Memory of Late Archbishop Mor Athanasius Matti MATTOKA
His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, will celebrate the Holy Mass in the Memory of Late Archbishop Mor Athanasius Matti MATTOKA, on Tuesday March 25, 2025, 09:00 a.m., at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Church, Patriarchal See, Beirut.
His Holiness Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Sunday
His Holiness Pope Francis is scheduled to be discharged from hospital on Sunday, 23 March. He will return to Casa Santa Marta after the Angelus, during which he will greet and bless the faithful from a window of the Gemelli Hospital at noon.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Sunday and he will return to his residence in the Vatican to continue his convalescence.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday evening, Doctor Sergio Alfieri, head of the Gemelli Hospital medical team that has been treating the Pope for an acute respiratory tract infection and bilateral pneumonia said “The good news the world and everyone is waiting for is that tomorrow the Holy Father will be discharged. Tomorrow he will return to Santa Marta.”
His Holiness Pope Francis to greet crowd at Gemelli on Sunday
The Holy See Press Office announces His Holiness Pope Francis is scheduled to appear after 12pm to greet the crowd outside Gemelli.
By Vatican News
On Saturday morning, the Holy See Press Office announced the Pope is planning to greet the crowd outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital and give his blessing on Sunday, March 23, shortly after 12pm. The statement said the text of the Angelus will be shared as it has been the last few weeks.
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II presided over the morning prayer at Mor Severius Church in the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon
On March 21, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, presided over the morning prayer at Mor Severius Church in the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.
His Holiness Pope Francis is improving and increasingly uses less high-flow oxygen
While the His Holiness Pope Francis’s condition continues to be stable, the Holy See Press Office explains “the doctors have not yet given any indication regarding his discharge from the hospital.”
By Vatican News
On Friday evening, the Holy See Press Office released the following update on Pope Francis’ health:
“At night, he no longer uses mechanical ventilation with a mask but receives high-flow oxygenation through nasal cannulas, and during the day, he increasingly uses less high-flow oxygen.”
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II attends the official Iftar banquet invited by His Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic
On the evening of Thursday, March 20, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, attended the official Iftar banquet invited by His Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon.
Meditation Of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa : III Sunday Of Lent, C
The passage from the Gospel for this third Sunday of Lent (Lk 13:1-9) focuses on a fundamental theme of the Lenten journey: conversion.
For Lent is also this, a time that is given to us so that we can convert again.
It is Jesus himself who mentions this in the first part of the passage (Lk 13:1-5) in response to some un-known people who come to Jesus to give him dramatic news: some Galileans who had come to Jerusalem to pray were executed by Pilate as they were offering their sacrifices.
A disturbing fact that allows for a religious interpretation: Violent death was indeed a sign of God’s punish-ment for a sin committed.
His Holiness Pope Francis’s Vocation Day message: Our mission is to be Christ’s presence to all
His Holiness Pope Francis releases his message for the upcoming World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and invites young people to listen to God’s voice in their hearts so they may be signs of His love for our world.
By Devin Watkins
As he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis has released his message for the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which falls this year on May 11.
Entitled “Pilgrims of Hope: The Gift of Life,” the Pope’s message recalls that every vocation—be it to ordained ministry, consecrated life, or the laity—should offer the world a sign of God’s hope for every person.
His Holiness Pope Francis no longer requires mechanical ventilation
The Holy See Press Office announces that His Holiness Pope Francis no longer requires mechanical ventilation at night, and has less need of high-flow oxygen therapy during the day. His motor and respiratory physiotheraphy is also making progress.
By Vatican News
On Wednesday evening, the Holy See Press Office released the following update on Pope Francis’ health:
“The Holy Father's clinical condition is confirmed to be improving. The Holy Father has suspended non-invasive mechanical ventilation and also has less need of high-flow oxygen therapy. Motor and respiratory physiotherapy is continuing to make progress.”
H.H. Pope Tawadros II Participates in the Armed Forces' Iftar Banquet in the Presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark participated on Monday evening in the Iftar banquet organized by the Armed Forces, which was attended by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of the Republic, along with senior state officials.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrates the Holy Feast of Abba Gerasimus of the Jordan
From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On Monday, March 4th/17th, 2025, the Patriarchate celebrated the memory of Saint Gerasimus of the Jordan at the sacred Monastery dedicated to his name, located in the valley of the Jordan, on its western bank near Jericho.