His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark said: “We offer our condolences to the whole world on the passing of this man who served all of humanity. Although Pope Francis sat on the Throne of Rome for only 12 years, it was a time filled with work, vitality, and service wherever he went. He left us an example of an open heart toward every human being.”

He added in aphone interview with Extra News Channel: “There is no doubt that Pope Francis was a voice for peace in all crises and conflicts around the world. He was always a voice for peace and a voice for truth—standing by the oppressed, the weary, the marginalized, and the forgotten.”

"The passing of Pope Francis is a loss for all humanity. He called for peace and putting an end to wars across the globe."

"In this holy season of Pascha, divine providence has willed that Pope Francis return to the house of the Heavenly Father."

Damascus, April 21, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, made a phone call to inquire about the health of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, after he suffered a hip fracture. His Beatitude wished Patriarch Al-Rahi good health and a speedy recovery, conveying the love and prayers of the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East.

Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) extended a letter of condolences to the Vatican Secretary of State following the passing of Pope Francis, expressing his heartfelt sympathy. He noted that the late Pope undertook a series of bold initiatives that transformed the Catholic Church, ushering in a new era of thought and practice. Pope Francis emphasized the importance of ecumenical movements and advocated for those who have faced injustice, positioning the defense of justice as a core mission of the Church. His remarkable humility and simplicity earned him the title of “the people’s Pope.”

On Sunday, April 20, 2025, the Feast of the Miraculous Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ was celebrated with a pontifical Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) delivered his pontifical message during the service.

Joining His Holiness at the altar were HE Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian and HG Bp. Dajad Ashekian. The Divine Liturgy was led by the “Shnorhali” choir, conducted by Fr. Zaven Rev. Najarian.

On April 23, 2025, 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 (MECC) participated in the Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast held in Erbil.

On April 22, 2025, 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 (MECC) arrived to Erbil to participate in the Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast.

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

A Decade and Two Years Since the Abduction of the Bishops of Aleppo

Dear brethren and spiritual children,

Since the kidnapping of the Bishops of Aleppo, Boulos Yazigi and Youhanna Ibrahim, on April 22, 2013, the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox Patriarchates of Antioch and All the East have spared no effort in following up on this sensitive and complex issue. Communication has been made at all levels with the aim of freeing the bishops and uncovering the circumstances and aftermaths of the abduction, as this case constitutes a fundamental matter for both churches and all Eastern Christians, as it reflects part of the suffering of the Eastern human being in facing the challenges of remaining in their land.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Bright Monday, 8th/21st April 2017, the Paschal service was held, during which the Resurrection Canon of Saint John of Damascus was chanted and the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom was celebrated in the monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and honorary President of the Middel East Council of Churches, with the participation in prayer of the Holy Archbishops, Priests, Monks, and many pilgrims.

The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, April 21, 2025

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ,

With a heart heavy in sorrow yet anchored in the promise of the Risen Lord, I join the faithful around the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, who today has returned to the house of the Heavenly Father.

Message from His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, before heading to the Vatican to participate in the funeral Mass of the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis

I want to greet the Church that we love—the Church of Jerusalem, Our diocese, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

It is a moment during which we need to be united in prayer, first for me, because this is a time in which I carry a great and important responsibility.

In an atmosphere filled with sorrow, yet infused with faith and hope, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The Mass was concelebrated by Cardinal Mykola Bychok, C.SS.R., Eparchal Bishop of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians (Australia), Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Delegate, Msgr. William Shomali, Patriarchal General Vicar, and Msgr. Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar for Galilee, along with a large number of bishops and priests. Among the assembly were representatives of the Churches of the Holy Land, a number of ambassadors, consuls, and diplomats, along with members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, various religious orders, and the faithful.

On April 19, 2025, 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 (MECC) presided over the Holy Qurobo of the Easter Vigil at St. George Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma.

Acts 10:34,37-43; Col 3:1-4; Jn 20:1-9 

Brothers and sisters, 
may the Lord give you peace! 

Once again this year we have come here, to the foot of Christ’s empty Tomb, to celebrate the end of Passion Week, which is also the heart of the life of the Church, of our faith. It is our only certainty that underlies our existence: Christ is risen! 

We want to ask ourselves about the meaning of this celebration and this day in the dramatic historical context in which we live. What does it mean for the Church in Jerusalem today to encounter and bear witness to the Risen Christ? 

Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family. 

ՎԵՐԱՊԱՏՈՒԵԼԻ ՓՈԼ ՀԱՅՏՈՍԹԵԱՆ
ՄԱՀԱԵՄ-Ի ՆԱԽԱԳԱՀԻ ՏԵՂԱՊԱՀ

Քրիստոսի յարութեան պատմութիւնը յեղափոխական եւ փրկարար միտք է բոլոր անոնց համար, որոնք հաստատապէս կը հաւատան, թէ կեանքի ու մահուան իրականութիւնները չեն սահմանափակուիր բնական օրէնքներով ու սովորական դրոյթներով: Իրապէս, արմատականօրէն յեղաշրջող է Խաչեալի յարութեան իրականութիւնը, որովհետեւ մեր առջեւ կը բանայ ոչ միայն մահէն ասդին, այլ մանաւանդ` մահէն անդին իսկական կեանք ունենալու յաւիտենական պարգեւը:

On Good Friday, April 18, 2025, a solemn service at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias commemorated the burial of our Lord Jesus Christ, presided over by Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

In his homily for the Easter Vigil read by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding on his behalf, His Holiness Pope Francis explains how this celebration "reminds us that the light of the Resurrection illumines our path" and our hearts. The Pope made a brief visit to St. Peter's Basilica a couple hours before the celebrations for a moment of prayer and to draw close to the faithful gathering for the Easter Vigil in the Basilica.

By Thaddeus Jones

In his homily read by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, during the Easter Vigil in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis underscored how “the light of the Resurrection illumines our path one step at a time,” breaking through the darkness of history and shining in our hearts. Cardinal Re presided over the Easter Vigil on behalf of Pope Francis who has been limiting his public activities as he continues recovery from his respiratory illnesses of recent months.