The International Theological Commission publishes “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour: 1700th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325-2025)”, dedicated to the Council that produced the first universal creed and proclaimed the faith of salvation in Jesus Christ, and in the One God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

By Vatican News

On May 20, the Christian world will commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the opening of the first ecumenical council, held in Nicea in 325, which has gone down in history primarily on account of the Creed, which brings together, defines, and proclaims the faith in salvation in Jesus Christ and in the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Later completed by the Council of Constantinople in 381, the Nicene Creed became in practice the identity card of the professed faith of the Church. For this reason, the International Theological Commission (ITC) decided to dedicate a document of almost seventy pages to the Council, which was convened by the emperor Constantine in Asia Minor, with the twofold objective of recalling its fundamental meaning and highlighting the extraordinary resources of the Creed, relaunching them in the perspective of the new stage of evangelisation that the Church is called to undertake in the current change of epoch. The new document acquires special relevance as the anniversary of Nicea occurs during the Jubilee of Hope in a year when Easter is celebrated by all Christians on the same date.

of his Beatitude the Patriarch of Serbia Porfirij by His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III

From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Wednesday, the 20th of March/2nd of April 2025, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Serbia Prorfirije, co-celebrated the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy with His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the Horrendous Golgotha. The following Eminent High Priests also co-served: Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolia, the Assistant Bishop of Toplica, His Grace Petar, the visiting Metropolitan of Tamasos, His Eminence Isaias, and Hieromonks from the Holy Sepulchre Brotherhood, among whom the first was Archimandrite  Kamarasis Elder Nektarios, as well as other Hieromonks and priests accompanying the Patriarch of Serbia, including Archimandrite Vassianos, Head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem (MISSIA), Archdeacon Mark, and other deacons, with His Eminence Elder Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, also participating, alongside local faithful and devout pilgrims.

Jn 8:1-11

Today, too, we try to understand the passage from this Sunday’s Gospel (Jn 8:1-11) by starting with a small detail.

We are in the temple, where Jesus has come from the Mount of Olives. He has sat down and is teaching the people who have gathered around him (Jn 8:1-2). While he is teaching, scribes and Pharisees bring an adulterous woman to him and ask him to pronounce judgment on her. But Jesus remains silent and writes with his finger on the ground (Jn 8:6). And because they insist, Jesus says the famous words: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jn 8:7), then he bends down again and continues to write on the ground (Jn 8:8).

Under the Presidency of Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, 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 (MECC) for the Evangelical Family, Lebanon's Armenian Evangelical pastors enjoyed a gathering of fellowship, discussion and prayer with Rev. Calvin Sagherian (from U.S.) on 2 April 2025 at the Union's Headquarters. Sharing a warm and open atmosphere, the group discussed current challenges and divine blessings, whether in the Middle East, Armenia or North America. Rev. Sagherian reminded those present of the Lord Jesus' attention to his disciples, especially in times of storm and stress.

His Holiness Pope Francis continues to recuperate from bilateral pneumonia at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, according to an update provided by the Holy See Press Office.

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis continues to be in good spirits, and his overall condition remains stable, according to the latest information made available by the Holy See Press Office.

The latest update on the Pope’s health, presented by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, indicates that his blood work is normal, while a recent chest x-ray indicates an improvement in his lungs.

From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Between Monday, 18th /31st March 2025 and Thursday, 12th March /3rd April 2025, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Serbia Porfirije made a pilgrimage visit to the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

His Beatitude the Patriarch of Serbia Porfirije arrived at Ben Gurion Airport at 2:30 am on Monday, 18th /31st March 2025, where he was received by His Eminence Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias, along with Archimandrite Christodoulos, Hegumen of the Holy Monastery of the Holy Cross.

Under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, the “Shonorhali” choir of the Catholicosate of Cilicia presented a celebration of Sayat Nova’s legacy on Wednesday evening, March 26, 2025, at the Hagop Der Melkonian Theater in the Armenian neighborhood of Bourj Hammoud.

From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Sunday, 17th/30th March, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, commemorating our venerable Father John of the Ladder, and one week after the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, the feast of the veneration of the Holy Cross took place at the ancient Holy Monastery of the Holy Cross, located in Western Jerusalem, near the [Jewish] Knesset.

The feast was celebrated traditionally on this Sunday at the aforementioned Holy Monastery, as it was in this area that Lot, upon leaving Sodom, planted the threefold wood—a combination of cedar, cypress, and pine—during his time of repentance, from which the cross was made, the one upon which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.

From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Following a letter sent by His Beatitude Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia to His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, the Patriarch of Serbia expressed his desire to visit the Holy Land, the Holy City of Jerusalem, pay tribute to the Most Holy Sepulchre, and to have a meeting with his Jerusalem counterpart.