World News of the Eastern Church

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:04:50 +0100

On Sunday, April 13,2012, His All-Holiness presided over the concelebration of the Divine Liturgy for the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman together with Archbishop Christopher of Czech Lands and Slovakia, Metropolitans Meliton of Philadelphia, Demetrios of Sebasteia, Theoliptos of Iconium, George of Mihaloupolis and Kassovia, Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Maditon, and Elpidophoros of Prousis at the Patriarchal Church of St. George. Among those in attendance were the Consul General of Greece, the Hon...

SYRIA: GREGORIOS III LAHAM (GREEK-MELKITE) “COUNTRY IN CHAOS, CHRISTIANS FLEEING”

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:40:07 +0100

“A country in chaos. Rascals and criminals, undercover foreigners in opposition groups, are taking advantage of it. Abductions, abuse, theft and violence are happening, again and again, against the Christians who are fleeing the country. Scenes that we have sadly learnt to see in nearby Iraq”. On the day the EU ministers of Foreign Affairs approved a new set of sanctions, the 15th, against Bashar al Assad’s regime, SIR spoke with the Greek Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, Gregorios III Laham. ...

Russia 1 TV channel to show film made for the fifth anniversary of the restoration of canonical ...

Sat, 12 May 2012 17:04:26 +0100

On 15 May 2012, Russia 1 TV channel will present Metropolitan Hilarion’s film “Unity of the Faithful.” Its release is timed to the fifth anniversary of the important historical event – the restoration of canonical communio9n between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia. The Act of Canonical Communion signed on 17 May 2007 put a period in the history of the Russian Civil War and marked the end of the painful and dramatic estrangement that had lasted man...

Patriarch Sviatoslav blessed the opening of the 350th jubilee of the city of Ivano-Frankivsk

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:56:54 +0100

Heads of three traditional Christian Churches visited the capital of Subcarpathia to participate in the celebrations of the 350th jubilee of the city of Ivano-Frankivsk. Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), UGCC Head, met Patriarch Filaret, Primate UOC (KP), and Metropolitan Mefodiy, Primate UAOC, in the Holy Resurrection Metropolitan Cathedral UGCC in Ivano-Frankivsk, reported Rev. Yuriy Trukhan, Press Secretary, Ivano-Frankivsk Archeparchy. At the Cathedral, the Ivano-Frankivsk S...

Canadian Parliament Recognizing the Efforts done by Metropolitan Andrey (Sheptytsky) in saving ...

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:40:30 +0100

With the leaders of different religions in Ukraine witnessing the event, the Canadian Parliament recognized the efforts of Metropolitan Andrey (Sheptytsky), leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in saving countless Jews during World War II and vocal in renouncing the atrocities done by Nazi officials in World War II against Jews and Ukrainians. Here is the text of his pastoral letter "Thou Shalt not Kill" written on the 21st of November, 1942. Sorry for it is written in Ukrainian and I h...

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to receive the 2012 Freedom Award, May 12

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:47:29 +0100

On May 12, 2012 His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, primus inter pares of the entire Orthodox Church, is going to receive the prestigious 'Freedom Award'. The Four Freedoms Medals are presented to men and women whose achievements have demonstrated a commitment to those principles which President Roosevelt proclaimed in his historic speech to Congress on January 6, 1941, as essential to democracy: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, fre...

Moscow, tens of thousands with Kirill in defense of the faith

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:40:02 +0100

by Nina AchmatovaAfter weeks of media scandals, the Patriarch of All Russia leads a procession and a prayer at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior: "Protect the Church from the anti-Russian forces." Moscow (AsiaNews) - Thousands of people took part in the day in defense of the faith yesterday in Russia, organized by the Moscow Patriarchate to "protect the Church from the attacks of anti-Russian forces", as stated by the same Patriarch Kirill, center of a series of media scandals which are compromi...

DECR chairman takes part in International Conference “Stolypin Readings. ...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:45:00 +0100

On 17 April 2012, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, took part in international conference “Stolypin Readings. Ways of Modernizing Russia. From Stolypin to Modernity” held at the Russian Presidential Academy and Public Administration. The conference was organized by the Academy, The Russian Ministry of Economic Development and the Foundation for Studying Pyotr Stolypin’s Heritage. Russian Deputy Prime Minis...

Easter Message of His Beatitude Sviatoslav

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:38:50 +0100

Christ is Risen! “Let heavens rejoice in a worthy manner, the earth be glad, and the whole world, visible and the invisible, keep the Feast. For Christ our eternal joy has risen!” The Paschal Canon On this festive day of the Resurrection of Christ His Church, full of heavenly light, we praise the Lord, who triumphantly emerges from the sealed tomb. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” the Evangelist John (John 1:5) declares on this Paschal night. As...

“In the letter we appealed to the President as the guarantor who ensures that justice is ...

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:35:32 +0100

Today, during a two and a half hour meeting with the heads of the Ukrainian churches, President Viktor Yanukovych informed the gathering that their petition to pardon Yulia Tymoshenko and Yuriy Lutsenko is only possible once all the court processes involving them have been settled. This was related by the Primate of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC), Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) who participated in the meeting with the President. As the UGCC Primate stated, today’s meeting wa...

Address of His All-Holiness at the 15th Eurasian Economic Summit

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:47:53 +0100

Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 15th Eurasian Economic Summit(Istanbul Convention Center, April 10-12, 2012) Introduction It is an honor once again to address the Eurasian Economic Summit, which is organized annually by the distinguished Marmara Group and this year is considering various aspects of the relationship between economy and dialogue as well as of development and women’s rights in our world. We have been asked to address how...

2012 Patriarchal Encyclical for Pascha

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:35:25 +0100

† BARTHOLOMEWBy the Mercy of GodArchbishop of Constantinople-New Romeand Ecumenical Patriarch To the Plenitude of the ChurchGrace, Peace and Mercy from the Savior Christ, Risen in Glory He became the first-born among the dead.(Easter Apolytikion, 3rd tone) Beloved children in the Lord, If Christ’s Resurrection referred to Himself, then its significance for us would be negligible. The Church proclaims, however, that, the Lord did not arise alone. Together with Himsel...

Metropolitan Hilarion celebrates at Sts Cosmas and Damian’s-at-Shubino in Moscow

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 13:00:49 +0100

On April 7, 2012, the Day of the Annunciation, which this year has coincided with Lazarus Saturday, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relation, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Sts Cosmas and Damian the Unmercenary and Wonder-Workers at Shubino in Moscow. It was also the day when the church celebrated the patronal feast of its central altar. After the liturgy, Archpriest Alexander Borisov, rector of the church, warmly thanked His Eminen...

Supreme Church Council of Russian Orthodox Church meets for regular session at Church of Christ ...

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:58:11 +0100

On April 3, 2012, the Russian Orthodox Church’s Supreme Church Council met for a regular session at the Church of Christ the Saviour. It is chaired by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. In his introductory remarks, His Holiness presented the agenda and shared his thoughts about the strategy of the Russian Orthodox Church’s cooperation with the mass media, the Patriarchal Press Services has reported. Patriarch Kirill said in particular, ‘The most important thing that the...

Feast of the Annunciation

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:33:54 +0100

On Sunday, March 25, 2012, His All-Holiness presided over the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos at the Annunciation Church of Theotokos in Vafeochorion. Among those in attendance were the former Prime Minister of Greece, the Hon. George Papandreou, and his wife Ada, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Ambassador Leonidas Chrysanthopoulos and the General Consul of Greece in Istanbul, the Hon. Nikolaos Matthioudakis.here on the official site of Patriarch...

ROMANIA: MONS. DAMIAN (BUCHAREST), “COURAGEOUS WITNESS” OF CATHOLICS “TO PROTECT THE FAMILY”

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:12:22 +0100

(Sir Europe - Bratislava) - In the Romanian society today, Catholics are called to “speak up for and bear courageous witness to their faith and the values in which they believe and on which their personal and familiar life is founded”. Mgr. Cornel Damian, Auxiliary Bishop of Bucharest and President of the Commission for the Family of the Romanian Bishops’ Conference, said this yesterday during the conference “Where is the family going today?”. Analysing the profile of the family in Roma...

SLOVAKIA: CATHOLIC BISHOPS ON THE 70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE JEW’S DEPORTATIONS

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:17:05 +0100

(Sir Europe - Bratislava) - “Secularized environment of modern european society gave birth to totalitarian ideologies, aspiring to replace the religion. However, it has been proved that they lead Europe and whole humanity to great waves of violence and injustice”, write Slovak bishops in the statement published yesterday on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of deportations of the Jews from the country. The first deportation of young women and girls to the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-...

Bishop Bohdan (Dziurakh): «The status of UGCC Patriarchate should not lead to ...

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:05:37 +0100

The status of a patriarchate in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church should not inflame quarrels between us and the Orthodox world, according to an interview on ZIK by Bishop Bohdan (Dziurakh), Secretary of the Synod of UGCC Bishops and administrator of the Patriarchal Curia. Rather, the Orthodox should view it as a further development of Christ’s Church. The Secretary of the Synod stated, "We in the UGCC rejoice in every good happening in the life of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine ...

Memory Eternal, His Beatitude Shenouda (1923-2012), Patriarch of Alexandria and Pope of the ...

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:00:14 +0100

Together with our Brethren from the other Eastern Rite Christian Churches, namely of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt in grief and we extend our Condolence upon the Death of His Holiness Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark the Evangelist of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. He is known for the efforts he made in Commitment of having Christian Unity. He is the first Coptic Orthodox Patriarch to...

Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church completes the first day of its session

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:27:36 +0100

On 15 March 2012, the spring and summer session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church opened at the patriarchal residence in St Daniel’s Monastery in Moscow. At its first session, the Holy Synod confirmed the Supreme Church Council’s decision of 6 February 2012 on approving plans of the work of the Synodal institutions for 2012 and adopted a resolution on transforming the Synodal Commission for Monasteries into the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism. A Board e...

The Maronite Archbishop: "Christians powerless, while the conflict is headed into the ...

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:42:39 +0100

Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - "The suffering which we live is great. We are assisting the tragedy helplessly. Fortunately, the Holy Father Benedict XVI fills the void demanding peace, justice, dialogue and reconciliation" Mgr. Samir Nassar, Maronite Archbishop of Damascus says to Fides, a year into the insurgency and violence in Syria. In a message sent to Fides, the Archbishop said that "what started as a small demonstration in the southern part of Syria, on March 15, 2011, has now turned into a cr...

HOLY LAND: BEERSHEBA, MASS IN SHELTER. THE TESTIMONY OF FR SALVATERRA

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:11:51 +0100

“There is fear and anxiety, but we still hope for peace. We long for peace and justice; we do not want the victory of one side or the other. There are no winners in this war, but only losers”. With this spirit the small Hebrew-speaking Catholic community (kehilla) of Beersheba, the capital of the Negev region, south of Israel, is facing the Grad rocket attacks launched by Islamic Jihad militants from the Gaza Strip. Israel responded to the latest rocket attack, yesterday evening, with air rai...

Patriarch Sviatoslav: National Shrines Should Belong to Nation and Not to One Denomination

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:17:54 +0100

Patriarch Sviatoslav of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church sent an address to Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn and Ukrainian deputies with a request to withdraw from consideration Bill 9690 on Making Alterations to Certain Laws of Ukraine (regarding transfer of objects of cultural heritage to religious organizations). The head of the UGCC considers unacceptable the transfer of national shrines, which belonged to the unified Kyivan Church, to only one denomination, namely, the Ukrainian Ortho...

Legal status of the Russian Orthodox Church’s diocese of Vienna officially confirmed in Austria

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:09:11 +0100

On March 7, 2012, the Federal Bulletin in Austria published an extract from the official document concerning the establishment of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Diocese of Vienna and Austria. The Diocese of Vienna was established by the Russian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod decision made in 1945, but it has not been officially recognized by the Republic of Austria until recently. The publication of an official document signed by the Federal Minister of Education, Culture and Arts Claudia Schmid...

Davutoglu and Bartholomew I: Christians between Turkey and Syria

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:06:55 +0100

by NAT da PolisThe Turkish foreign minister visits the Fanar: Turkey wants to show a change and more respect towards non-Muslim minorities. Discussions will focus on the situation of Christians in Syria, where fear for the future dominates. Turkey is among countries pushing for the fall of Assad.Istanbul (AsiaNews) - Winds of change are blowing in Turkish diplomacy regarding how to address the problem of non-Muslim minorities in the country, particularly Christians. The issue is also important fo...

Egypt: The coming persecution

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:27:35 +0100

Makram Diab, an Egyptian Coptic Christian, was sentenced to six years in prison by a court in the province of Assiut on charges of “insulting the Prophet.” But the trial took place with a crowd of two or three thousand Muslims outside the courthouse demanding the death penalty. Eyewitnesses said that many protesters were armed with knives, and that the police barely managed to prevent them from breaking into the courtroom and lynching the accused. Diab’s lawyer, a Muslim called Ahmad Sayed...

In Iraq as in Syria, foreign troops cause only troubles, Jordanian priest tells Alain Juppé

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:32:13 +0100

by Rif'at BaderFr Rif'at Bader tells the French foreign minister, who boasted about his country's commitment to Eastern Christians, that the flight of Iraqi Christians is evidence of the contrary. If the West really wants to something for the Middle East (and not only for Christians), it must invest in education, media, health care but especially work on solving the Israeli-Palestinian problem.Amman (AsiaNews) - Fr Rif'at Bader, director of the Catholic Media Study Centre in the Jordanian capital...

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk awarded degree of doctor of theology honoris causa by ...

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:35:53 +0100

On March 6, 2012, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, in his capacity as rector of the Sts Cyril and Methodius Post-Graduate and Doctoral School and chairman of the Synodal Biblical-Theological Commission, visited the Minsk Theological Academy during his visit to Belarus with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and at the invitation of Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarcha...

Good Friday Appeal: Be Together in Fraternity with Holy Land Christians

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:07:16 +0100

(Rome/e.p.) - “The annual Lenten journey towards the Pasch of the Lord offers a propitious occasion to sensitize the Catholic Church around the world with regard to the Holy Land by promoting relevant initiatives of prayer and fraternal charity.” So begins this year’s appeal to bishops for the traditional Good Friday collection for the Holy Land. Signed March 1st by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri and Archbishop Cyril Vasil, respectively prefect and secretary of the Congregation for Oriental Churc...

Charity Says Non-Violence Gaining Acceptance Among Palestinians

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:59:13 +0100

(Rome) - A recent poll found that just over half of Palestinians were in favour of peaceful negotiations with Israel – a marked change from a decade ago when the second Intifada was at its height. Palestinians are today said to be wary of another uprising and, according to organisations such as the Holy Land Trust, they are turning more and more to non-violent resistance. To find out more about how much non-violence is becoming more widely accepted, and how much the Holy Land Trust is helping c...

Head of UGCC points to positive asceticism for harmonious development of society

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:55:31 +0100

“Our society today has, in addition to many flaws, many wonderful things that we do not know about. For harmonious development we need to be aware of our negatives, or those social evils which we speak of. But at the same time we need to discover the huge unique potential, which is in our society, and develop it,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, head of the UGCC, in an interview to the newspaper Den. This opinion the head of the UGCC expressed when he was asked about how to overcome moral evi...

Metropolitan Hilarion: Power that is not based on love will never bring good fruits

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:22:50 +0100

On 29 February 2012, the Wednesday of the first Lenten week, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, celebrated Grand Compline at the Church of the “Joy to All the Afflicted” Icon of the Mother of God. After the Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, Metropolitan Hilarion addressed the congregation with a homily, which he began with quoting the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, ‘O Lord and Master of my life! ...

Catechetical Homily of His All-Holiness for Holy and Great Lent

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:38:00 +0100

To the Plenitude of the Church: Grace and Peace from our Lord and Savior Jesus ChristAnd Prayers, Blessings and Forgiveness from Us “O faithful, let us joyfully welcomethe divinely-inspired announcement of fasting” Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, In recent times, we observe an elevated level of concern. Many challenges arise. The world is suffering and yearns for help. Indeed, we are going through a general test. Some people call it a financial decline; others refer to it as a...

Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church visits Russian Ecclesiastical Mission during his ...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:55:57 +0100

On 16 February 2012, His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Iliya II arrived in the Holy Land to begin his pilgrimage. Patriarch Iliya is accompanied by Metropolitan Gerasim of Zugdidi and Tsaish; Metropolitan Dimitri of Batumi and Lazeti, administrator of the Georgian parishes in North America and Canada; Metropolitan Saba of Khoni and Samtredia; and by other clergymen, representatives of science and art, benefactors, and the choir of the Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral. T...

Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk visits “political Berlin”

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:51:33 +0100

On Friday, February 17, His Beatitude Sviatoslav visited “political Berlin.” The first stage of the visit was a meeting at the Federal Office of the Chancellor of Germany. Then the Primate of the UGCC visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally visited the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. In conversations with senior officials, Patriarch Sviatoslav analyzed the current political, economic, religious and sociopolitical situation in Ukraine. In a special way he explai...

Religious Leaders Condemn Desecration of Christian Monastery in Jerusalem

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:00:23 +0100

(Milan/e.p.-f.h.) - Leaders of the Holy Land's main religions have condemned acts of vandalism and graffiti carried out on a Greek Orthodox Monastery in Jerusalem. In a statement, the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land said it “condemns the acts of desecration and graffiti” on the monastery in the early hours of Feb. 7. The Council, which comprises the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs at the Palestinian Authority, and the heads of...

Without dialogue Syria will become a new Iraq, Aleppo bishop says

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:35:19 +0100

Mgr Antoine Audo speaks about the recent attacks that left 28 people dead in his city, including two Christians. The prelate notes the spirit of solidarity between Christians and Muslims, united despite a climate of hatred and violence. He calls on the international community to favour dialogue among the various factions rather than a spirit of vengeance. The Arab League calls for the deployment of United Nations troops to stop fighting between Syrian forces and rebels. Pope made an appeal on Sun...

FIGHTING THE EXODUS AND SPIRITUAL EXTINCTION

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:56:56 +0100

The Middle East is one of the worst hot spots in the world, not only at a geopolitical level, as a fertile ground for every sort of violence and conflicts, but also at a religious one, due to the rising of a militant and political Islam. All over the area, the minorities suffer all kinds of discriminations and persecutions, like the Christians, who are leaving the region at a growing speed. by BISHOP WILLIAM SHOMALIAuxiliary of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem*The Synod of the Catholic Ch...

Gregorios III Laham appeals to Europe for compromise in Syria

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:49:38 +0100

by Fady NounThe Melkite patriarch of Antioch and All the East, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem, is concerned that Syria has been caught up in a power game between the United States and Russia. He calls on Europe, which has a Mediterranean vocation, to take the initiative to prevent a civil war.Beirut (AsiaNews) – AsiaNews has interviewed Gregorios III Laham, Catholic Melkite patriarch of Antioch and All the East, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem for his views on the Syrian crisis and its possible ...

Head of UGCC takes part in 600th anniversary celebration of transfer of Lviv Archdiocese of ...

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:28:41 +0100

“Allow me from the entire Greek Catholic Church to sincerely congratulate our brethren, bishops, clergy, monastics of the Lviv archdiocese on the beginning of the jubilee year,” said Patriarch Sviatoslav, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, at the celebratory mass on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of the transfer of capital of the Lviv archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church from Halych to Lviv, which was held on February 1, 2012, in the Latin Cathedral in Lviv. The service ...

Kirkuk: Christians in prayer for release of Chinese bishops and priests

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:57:40 +0100

Luis SakoKirkuk (AsiaNews) - On the occasion of Chinese New Year, celebrated on 23 January, which marks the beginning of the year of Dragon AsiaNews sent a letter to President Hu Jintao and Chinese Ambassador in Italy to demand the release of three bishops and six priests, whohave disappeared in police custody or are detained without trial in a country that today is the second largest world economy, is a member of the UN Security Council and has signed the Charter of Human Rights. Among the disap...

CCEE-KEK: FINAL RELEASE FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE, “THE NEW CHALLENGES FOR THE CHURCHES”

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:21:31 +0100

The Christians of the different confessions living in Europe must engage in a common testimony to respond to the spiritual, demographic, political and economic challenges that the old continent is facing nowadays. This is one of the conclusions reached by the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (Kek) and the Council of European Bishops Conferences (Ccee), which took place in Geneva from 26th to 28th January. This year they also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishme...

International Day of Prayer for Peace in Holy Land

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:42:13 +0100

Rome (AsiaNews) - At least 2500 cities around the world will participate tomorrow in the IV International Day of Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land, an initiative launched by youth groups and Eucharistic adoration groups, involving over time the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Custody of the Holy Land. The Day is promoted by various realities of young people: the National Association Papaboys (www.papaboys.it); the Apostolate "Youth For Life" (www.youthfl.org); the chapels of perpetual adorat...

Fr. Neuhaus: Hebrew Catechism Provoking Fascinating Dialogue with Jews

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:48:37 +0100

(Milan) - Father David Neuhaus, a Jesuit of Jewish descent, is patriarchal vicar for Hebrew-speaking Catholics in Jerusalem. In a recent interview with Terrasanta.net, he sets out the pastoral priorities of the small Hebrew-speaking community in the Holy Land under the jurisdiction of the Latin Patriarch. One particular focus is on the preparation and translation of documents to offer appropriate support, in particular a new translation of the Catechism for children. Fr. Neuhaus, what is the iden...

Orthodox Church in support of Putin: yes to crack down on immigration

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:07:41 +0100

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Russian Orthodox Church has expressed its support for the proposal of the Prime Minister and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin for a crackdown on immigration in Russia. This according to spokesman for the Moscow Patriarchate, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, who is increasingly under the spotlight since the Church has emerged as a possible moderator between the opposition calling for a "Russia without Putin" and the central power, that wants to perpetuate the status quo. ...

A New Direction for the Russian Orthodox Church?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:28:12 +0100

On January 7 The New York Times reported that Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, head of the Department of Church and Society of the Moscow Patriarchate and one of the highest officials in the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, said in a radio interview that the ROC should serve as a mediator between the state and the people. Two days earlier Aleksei Navalny, an opposition leader, had called for just such a role by the Church: “I would very much like for the Russian Orthodox Church to take up ...

Egyptian extremists against Copts, two wounded, houses burned and churches attacked

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:46:55 +0100

Cairo (AsiaNews) - Anti-Christian violence continues in Egypt, according to local sources, the episodes are linked to the attempt of fundamentalist Islamic fringe - Salafis - to block the vote of the religious minority in the next election. On 19 January, a mob attacked the Coptic Christian community of the village of Kebly-Rahmaniya, near the town of Nag Hammadi, Qena governorate, Upper Egypt. The assailants, chanting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) attacked and burned down houses, huts, shops and...

Patriarch Sviatoslav shares his first Christmas Prosphora with faithful

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:45:24 +0100

This year’s Christmas Prosphora in the Ukrainian Greek Catholics was somewhat unique for it was attended by two patriarchs – His Beatitude Lubomyr Husar and His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk. The event, which for several years the UGCC has held in Kyiv, was like another Christmas, but in Kyiv. It is always a great opportunity to meet with the large Greek Catholic family in the capital of Ukraine and feel how with each passing year the community grows stronger. Patriarch Sviatoslav, the primat...

HOLY LAND: MGR. CHACOUR (MELKITE), THE HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRISTIANS

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:22:25 +0100

(Jerusalem) - “Christians should not remain here only because they have lands, lands that we are about to lose like our authority. In fact, we still have the historical responsibility to introduce into the life of this Land words and testimonies of reconciliation, solidarity and forgiveness”, Mgr. Elias Chacour, Melkite Archbishop of Haifa, told SIR Europe, commenting on the meeting yesterday in Ibillin, near Nazareth, which brought together Christian, Druze, Muslim, Jewish and Baha’i leade...

HOLY LAND: TWAL TO USA-UE BISHOPS, “DON’T LET’S JUST STOP AND STARE, LET’S WORK TO UNITE”

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:47:51 +0100

(Jerusalem) Faced with the “dramatic change” that is taking place in the Middle Eastern region, “the religious leaders cannot just stop and stare, but must work to build bridges and unite what the walls divide”. This was said by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, to the bishops of the Holy Land coordination (Hlc), which brings together the bishops of North America and the EU for the Holy Land, that, in Jerusalem today (until 12th), have officially opened their pastoral visit, w...

Christmas Message of His Holiness Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:34:30 +0100

Christmas Message of His HolinessPatriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russiato the Archpastors, Pastors, Monastics and All the Faithful Childrenof the Russian Orthodox ChurchYour Eminences the archpastors, honourable fathers,God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters!On this radiant and joyful feast of the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ I cordially greet you all, my dear ones. On this light-bearing night together we prayerfully echo the doxology of the ...

Patriarch Kirill calls for Greece to free Abbot Ephraim from Vatopedi Monastery

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:07:19 +0100

Giacomo GaleazziAn unprecedented occurrence in Moscow – Athens relations. The Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill, has asked for the release of Abbot Ephraim from the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. From a legal news piece, the case is now turning into a diplomatic and “ecumenical” incident. The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill and Russian government authorities have sent messages to Greek President Karolos Papoulias, expressing his personal concern at the arrest of A...

Christmas, Kirill to Orthodox Church: Look to Christ "as the sun that lights the path"

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:49:59 +0100

Moscow (AsiaNews) - It is Christmas for the Russian Orthodox present in 60 countries worldwide. More than 6 thousand faithful gathered last night at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, where Patriarch Kirill celebrated the Divine Liturgy. In the front row with President Dmitry Medvedev, his wife Svetlana and many prominent figures from Russian politics and civil society. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, however, welcomed the Christmas in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration in St. Petersb...

Faisalabad: Christians and Muslims back pope’s peace message

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:39:00 +0100

Faisalabad (AsiaNews) – Pakistani Christians and Muslims took part in two peaceful demonstrations to underscore the need of “Educating Young People in Justice and Peace”, which is the theme Benedict XVI chose for the 45th World Day of peace. Some 60 people, including students, lawyers, workers, political leaders and civil society representatives marched in Tandlianwala and Faisalabad against discrimination, extremism, intolerance and terrorism in Pakistani society.Two associations, Peace an...

The Copts fear the "protection" of the army, which turns on NGOs

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:07:52 +0100

Cairo (AsiaNews) - The Arab Spring is increasingly being betrayed by the authorities. About 10 months after the fall of the Mubarak regime, sources tell AsiaNews that there is an atmosphere of instability and fear in the country. In view of the end of year festivities and the Orthodox Christmas (January 6), the Coptic community fears new attacks against the churches, similar to those that occurred after the New Year of 2011 in Alexandria and in 2010 at Nag Hammadi (Luxor). Tensions have been incr...

Arab League Observers in Damascus. New bloodshed in Homs

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:31:36 +0100

Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A group of 50 Arab League observers arrived yesterday evening in Syria to try to find a way to end the violence that has bloodied the country for nine months. But also yesterday news and images spread of new massacres in Homs, a hotbed of maximum resistance to the Assad regime. The 50 observers, including 10 Egyptians, have to verify the situation on the ground, oversee the removal of security forces from the cities, the release of imprisoned civilians, stop the ...

2011 Patriarchal Christmas Encyclical

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:55:56 +0100

+ B A R T H O L O M E WBy the Mercy of GodArchbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical PatriarchTo the Plenitude of the ChurchGrace, Peace and Mercy from our Savior Born in Bethlehem“Christ is born again and the Angels sing once more:‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among all.’ "(Luke 2.14-15) Beloved brothers and sisters, children in the Lord,The angels chant these three majestic proclamations and yet the great majority of human beings, although cele...

EGYPT The female faces of Egypt’s revolution

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:45:49 +0100

Andrè AzzamCairo (AsiaNews) – Egyptian Women, deliberately ignored and put aside from the revolution since last March are now regaining their dignity and are letting the whole world hear their voice. Not one of them was elected in the recent parliamentary elections held in two thirds of the 27 provinces or governorates. Terribly mistreated by the army in the last days, in front of the whole world, they reacted by organizing a major demonstration Tuesday in Cairo. Thousands of them crossed...

HOLY LAND: PATRIARCH TWAL’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:21:49 +0100

“Religions have a very special responsibility for helping people build peace. Religions are a factor of peace. Let’s condemn any violence against places of worship as well as any contempt for religious symbols”. This is a passage from the Christmas Message of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, released in Jerusalem this morning during a press conference as he took stock of 2011. The document places emphasis on the importance of inter-religious dialogue, defined as a “prerequisi...

UKRAINE: UNIFICATION PROCESS BETWEEN TWO ORTHODOX CHURCHES HAS FAILED

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:29:14 +0100

(SIR Europe – Bratislava) - The unification process between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP) and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), which began last autumn, has failed. According to the Kyivan Patriarchate, the clergymen of the UAOC are to blame for the failure of the dialogue, particularly its metropolitans Mefodii and Andrii, who laid down “an unacceptable condition” - the resignation of patriarch Filaret. According to the website http://risu.org...

Egypt: clashes between the army and demonstrators continue in front of the Houses of Parliament

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:45:43 +0100

Cairo (AsiaNews) – Clashes that began yesterday afternoon between the army and demonstrators demanding the resignation of the High Council of the military (Hull) in front of the parliament building in Cairo continue today. The toll is now eight people dead and 300 wounded. The escalation of violence has rekindled controversy against the army, which has bloodily suppressed all forms of protest by young people for months. "We do not understand why we are doing this, the population is in shoc...

His Beatitude Sviatoslav proclaims formation of Ivano-Frankivsk Metropolitanate

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:50:23 +0100

On December 13, 2011, the day of St. Andrew, the primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) in Ivano-Frankivsk announced the formation of the Ivano-Frankivsk Metropolitanate of the UGCC and enthroned its first metropolitan – Bishop Volodymyr (Viytyshyn). The metropolitan received powers and obligations under Canons 131-139 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. He will convoke the metropolitan synod and prepare useful questions on the acti...

ARAB SPRING: BUZEK (EU PARLIAMENT) GIVING THE sakharoV AWARD TOMORROW

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:15:59 +0100

(Strasbourg) - “The Arab spring has been the propeller of changes of a truly historical extent. The events of 2011, aimed at pursuing freedom, have offered thousands of examples of unselfish courage”. Jerzy Buzek, president of the European Parliament, gives a preview of the reasons why tomorrow, during the plenary session of the Assembly, he will be giving the Sakharov Award 2011 for freedom of thought to five protagonists of the ”Arab spring”: Asmaa Mahfouz (Egypt), Ahmed al-Zubair Ahmed...

Metropolitan Hilarion attends celebrations making 60th anniversary of autocephaly of Orthodox ...

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:25:55 +0100

On December 8, 2011, the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia marked the 60th anniversary since it was granted canonical autocephaly by the Russian Orthodox Church. On that day, solemn celebrations devoted to the anniversary took place in Prague.The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Nicholas’s in Staromestska Square by His Beatitude Christopher, Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. Among this con-celebrants were Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Pat...

Coptic Catholic leader warns against worrying too much about Islamists' election victory

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:48:16 +0100

Cairo (AsiaNews) – “Egyptians are not a people of extremists; they are moderate and against radical movements. The military council and parliament will not have the power to interfere in the new constitution, which will be drafted with the contribution of all political parties, and this despite the large number of votes that went to the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists in this first round of elections,” said Kamal Zachar, a Coptic Catholic political leader. Speaking to AsiaNews, warned agai...

Patriarch of Moscow: Russian elections, the beginning of a journey

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:09:00 +0100

Nina AchmatovaMoscow (AsiaNews) - The beginning of a long road for change in Russia. This is how the Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill commented on the results of legislative elections that yesterday marked Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party “semi” victory. The party, which since 2007 has held the constitutional majority in the Duma (the lower house of parliament) has experienced a sharp decline in support that has brought it down from 64% to a humiliating 50%. A result, which both the prime mini...

Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church meets with participants in the International Conference ...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:05:51 +0100

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with the participants in the International Conference on Freedom of Faith: the Problem of Discrimination and Persecution against Christians. The meeting took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on 1 December 2011.Taking part in the meeting were Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR); Mr. Massimo Introvigne, representative of the OSCE on combati...

PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS: METROPOLITAN HILARION, APPEAL TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:56:34 +0100

In the world, one Christian dies for his faith every five minutes, and 105,000 Christians die of violent death as result of religious conflicts every year. With those figures, the International Conference about "Religious freedom: the question of Christian discrimination and persecution" opened in Moscow yesterday; it was promoted by the Patriarchate of Moscow concluding today with the publication of a final document meant to let the international public focus on the fact that “Christians are t...

An interview with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:15:02 +0100

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Prime Minister Najib Mikati spoke with Vatican Radio ahead of his private audience with Pope Benedict XVI on Monday. He commented on the Lebanese desire to preserve Lebanon as this kind of model of coexistence between peoples. “We have to keep it forever,” he said. The Lebanese Premier expressed interest in discussing with Pope Benedict the current events in the region and the role that Christians can play there.Addressing the concern that Christians have been emigr...

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill begins his visit to Armenia

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:35:50 +0100

On 28 November 2011, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia arrived in Yerevan. He is accompanied by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations; Bishop Sergiy of Solnechnogorsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Administrative Secretariat; archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, chairman of the Synodal Department for Church-Society Relations; Mr. Vladimir Legoida, chairman of the Synodal Information Department; and...

Primates and representatives of seven Local Orthodox Churches meet in the Moscow Kremlin

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:54:43 +0100

On November 21, 2011, the Primates of the Russian, Georgian, Polish Orthodox Churches, of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia and representatives of the Church of Antioch, the Romanian and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches met at the patriarchal residence in the Moscow Kremlin. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia chaired the meeting.Before the meeting the guests from the Local Orthodox Churches who came to Moscow for the celebrations marking the 65th birthday of His H...

EGYPT AND SYRIA: PACE, FIRM CONDEMNATION OF WAVES OF VIOLENCE AND CALL TO DIALOGUE

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:03:43 +0100

The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) expresses its “deep concern” for the transitional military forces’ “violent repression” of the legitimate demonstrations of the Egyptian population that in the last week alone killed 40 people, and firmly condemned this new wave of bloodshed”. The Bureau welcomes the announcement of the establishment of a national unity government, of keeping the legislative election on 28th November, but it recalls that, in its ...

Maronite Patriarch against the confessional division in the Middle East

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:50:35 +0100

by Fady Noun Mgr Bishara al-Rai called again for prudence vis-à-vis the ‘Arab spring’. He warned of possible confessional conflicts, harsher regimes and a confessional division of the region. Mgr Caccia welcomes the reopening of Beirut synagogue as a token of hope for the future.Beirut (AsiaNews) – The Maronite Patriarch, Mgr Bishara al-Rai, called for a prudence vis-à-vis the ‘Arab spring’. He is concerned that it might lead to “confessional conflicts, harsher regimes and a confess...

ORTHODOX CHURCH: MOSCOW, MEETING OF LEADERS AND DELEGATES OF 7 ORTHODOX CHURCHES

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:14:28 +0100

Trying dialogue in the Orthodox world, in the run-up and in preparation to the “Great pan-Orthodox Council”. Yesterday, the Patriarch’s Palace at the Kremlin, in Moscow, hosted the meeting of the leaders of the Orthodox Churches of Russia, Georgia, Poland, the Czech lands and Slovakia, as well as the delegates of the Patriarchs of Antioch, Romania and Bulgaria. The meeting was chaired by His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia. The leaders of the local Orthodox Churches had ...

UKRAINE: 2012 DECLARED A YEAR OF THE HOLY SACRAMENTS IN EPARCHIES OF UGCC

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:42:19 +0100

Year of the Holy Sacraments in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) will begin on Christmas this year, with reflections on the birth of the Son of God, followed by meditations about the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. During the Great Lent attention will focus on the sacrament of Penance, and the week before and after Easter on the sacrament of Eucharist. Fifty days of Pentecost will be dedicated to reflection on priesthood and the sacrament of matrimony. Sacrament of anointing the ...

Ayman Nabil Labib murdered at school by classmates

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:25:53 +0100

CAIRO: Two young schoolboys beat a Coptic classmate to death on October 16 in the Egyptian town of Mallawi, raising speculations that the violence was a hate crime. Originally, local media did not report the incident as sectarian violence. However, Copts Without Borders, a Coptic news site, refuted the point, reporting that the deceased 17 year-old, Ayman Nabil Labib, was attacked and killed because he was wearing a crucifix. Labib’s parents broke their silence on October 30and confirmed that t...

Patriarch Kirill goes on official visit to the Patriarchate of Antioch

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:44:08 +0100

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will be on an official visit to the Patriarchate of Antioch from November 12 to 15, 2011. According to the Orthodox tradition, these ‘peace visits’ are made by every elected primate of a Church to other primates of Local Orthodox Churches in the order prescribed by the diptych, the traditional list of the Heads of the Churches.In 2009, His Holiness Kirill visited the Orthodox Church of Constantinople and in 2010 the Orthodox Church of Ale...

Erdogan's religious acrobatics: Nicaea council church back to being a mosque

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:40:30 +0100

Istanbul (AsiaNews) - The specter of Aghia Sophia continues to plague the Islamic world of Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey. Not the most famous symbol of the church of Constantinople, but another church, Aghia Sophia in Nicaea (now Izmit), which predates the Constantinople church, having been built in the fourth century. It passed into history in 787 AD, when it was the last church to host a united Christendom drawn to discuss the iconoclastic question, in a truly ecumenical synod, before the fatal sch...

UKRAINE: THREE NEW METROPOLITANATES WITHIN UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:15:22 +0100

29 November in Lviv, 13 December in Ivano-Frankivsk, 22 December in Ternopil. Those are the dates and places of hierarchical liturgies of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), during which the decrees on establishment of three new metropolitanates will be presented. The information was announced by the head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, during a web conference on www.tochka.net, explaining that the establisment of new metropolitanates is an important step in the natural de...

Army accused of Copts’ massacre threatens 34 Copts with trial

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:59:06 +0100

Cairo (AsiaNews) – The same army that slaughtered 28 Christians on 9 October and is currently investigating itself has decided not to release 34 Copts held since the clashes, including teens under 16 and some who were wounded. Others have been held since 30 October. All are underfed and without proper medical care. For Fr Rafic Greiche, spokesman for the Egyptian Catholic Church, any trial would be absurd. “The military cannot court-martial civilians, especially since they are a party in the...

Metropolitan Hilarion made doctor of theology honoris causa by University of Lugano, Switzerland

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:47:27 +0100

Metropolitan Hilarion, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, was granted the degree of doctor of theology honoris causa by the University of Lugano in a solemn ceremony that took place on October, 2011.Present at the ceremony organized by the university’s faculty of theology were Bishop Pier Jacomo Grampa of Lugano, honorary chancellor of the faculty of theology, Rev. Azzolino Chiappini, rector of the faculty, Rev. Gwido Vergauwen, rector of the Universit...

Patriarch Sviatoslav takes part in celebrations to mark tenth anniversary of Basilian ...

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:45:30 +0100

Celebrations to mark the tenth anniversary of the Basilian Fathers’ return to Kyiv were held on October 30 in the church of St. Basil the Great in Kyiv. The festivities began with a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, which was headed by Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. During the sermon he congratulated “the monks of this holy monastery, who today celebrate ten years of restored monastic life of the Order of St. Basil the Great in the capital city of Ky...

Tensions between Israel and Iran rise

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:41:23 +0100

Israeli defense officials say the military has successfully test fired an advanced missile from a base outside of Tel Aviv which is believed to be able to reach Iran. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed new concerns about Iran's nuclear program. Israeli media have carried a flurry of reports on purported efforts by Prime Minister Netanyahu to secure cabinet approval for military action against Iran.Dr. Gershon Baskin said the Israeli government “is waiting for the new...

UKRAINE: 5TH SOCIAL DAYS OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH HAVE STARTED

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:16:29 +0100

The 5th Social Days of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) begun on 1 November with a prayer in memory of the metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky (1865-1944) in all the parishes of UGCC in Ukraine, and will last till 14 December. This year the organisers will pay special attention to human dignity. Conference on the topic “Human Dignity in the Teachings of John Paul II” will take place on 4-5 November at the premises of the National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and will be associated wit...

ASSISI 2011-BARTHOLOMEW I: “OPPOSE TO DISTORTIONS OF RELIGIOUS MESSAGES”

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:39:26 +0100

(From our correspondents in Assisi) - “It is from indifference that hatred is born, it is from indifference that conflict is born, it is from indifference that violence is born. Against such evils, dialogue is the only practicable, long-term solution”. This was said by the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, in his address to the religious delegations that were in the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli. “As religious leaders – he added –, our role is above all to pr...

Cardinal Tauran and the five commandments for Assisi

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:45:12 +0100

Andrea Tornielli"This is not a matter of repeating what was done in 1985, but of celebrating an event, remembering a great truth that the Pope coined in an inspirational manner: “He who is on the journey to God, cannot but transmit peace. He who builds peace, cannot but approach God." This is what Cardinal Jean Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, writes about the meeting in Assisi convened by Pope Benedict XVI on the twenty-fifth anniversary of ...

Patriarch Sviatoslav expresses opinions on the justice system in Ukraine

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:39:30 +0100

“The current state of justice is one of the worst plagues threatening our country,” Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, told a UNIAN correspondent in response to questions about the latest high-profile trials of Yulia Tymoshenko and Yuriy Lutsenko. "Unfortunately, in Ukraine for many years people are under investigation, and often innocent people are in prison – people who need our prayers and support,” stated the head of the UGCC. But he rememb...

BELARUS: THE FIRST PARISH OF THE BLESSED JOHN PAUL II REGISTERED THE COUNTRY

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:23:08 +0100

Celebration of liturgical memory of the Blessed John Paul II will have a special flavor in Belarus on 22 October. The first parish dedicated to this pope has been registered on the base of initiative of Fr. Igor Lashuk and with the blessing of Minsk and Mogilev archbishop Tadeush Kondrusevich. The decision has been confirmed by the Minsk city executive committee. Canonical territory of the parish will cover a new residential district Druzhba, located in one of the main entrances to Minsk, and wil...

Cairo, 20 thousand at funeral for victims of clashes between Copts and military

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:29:53 +0100

The Cario (AsiaNews) - More than 20 thousand people attended the funerals of 17 of the 25 victims killed in clashes between Coptic Christian demonstrators and the army of the on 9 October. The funeral took place last night in the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo, where the priest in charge of the rite called the slain "martyrs who have saved the Church." Before entering the church the crown processed along the road that links the cathedral to the Coptic Hospital in the district of Rameses Abasseya distr...

Anti-Copt violence, consequence of 30 years of bad policies, said Catholic priest

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:38:38 +0100

Cairo (AsiaNews) – “Clashes between Coptic demonstrators and soldiers yesterday are the consequence of 30 years of policies based on repression and security. without laws favourable to society and education, tensions will continue to rise,” said Fr Rafic Greiche, spokesman for the Egyptian Catholic Church. In an interview with AsiaNews, he called on Western nations to prevent Egypt from imploding. For the clergyman, Egypt’s military is doing nothing to find a solution to the conflict pit...

UKRAINE: GREEK-CATHOLIC BISHOPS TO LEADERS OF THE STATE, “IRRESPONSIBLE POLICIES”

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 20:02:57 +0100

The bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) called “irresponsible” the policy of the present leadership of the state. The statement was included in a letter to the leadership of Ukraine passed at the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, which was held last September in Curitiba (Brazil) but was published today in Kyiv. In their letter the bishops expressed their concern over the socioeconomic policies, “partiality in justice”, “oppression of the Ukrainian language”, and the “...

Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church completes its first winter session

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 19:08:18 +0100

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church completed its first winter session on 6 October 2011. In compliance with the Synod’s instruction of 27 July 2011, the Inter-Council Presence’s Commission on Church Governance and Mechanisms for Implementing Conciliarity in the Church has elaborated proposals of coordinating activity of the dioceses in one and the same region. Members of the Holy Synod considered and approved draft provisions on metropolias of the Russian Orthodox Church presented ...

Istanbul to have first Syrian church built in the city

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:46:16 +0100

Istanbul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Syrian Christian community in Turkey has received approval for the construction of its first church in turkish territory. The building should be built in the district of Yesilkoy, Istanbul, and should meet the needs of a community of about 17 thousand Syrians living in the metropolis. After years of discussion and caveats, the approval came from the Turkish Prime Minister and President. The leader of the Syriac community, Kenan Altınışık said that work wil...

Libya war: Silence and forgotten truths

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:16:02 +0100

Andrea Tornielli “Today, Libya is experiencing a serious situation that leaves us stunned and helpless. I do not have the means to confirm the details that gave way to the revolt. However, it seems clear that it was fueled by a number of factors.” This is what the bishop of Tripoli, Giovanni Martinelli writes in the preface of an interesting and enlightening book entitled Libya 2011 (subtitle framed by an eloquent image of a bomber releasing its bombs: “If you don’t come to democracy, de...

Saudi women can run for office, but no photos on election posters

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:35:32 +0100

Riyadh (AsiaNews) – Saudi women can run for local elections (four years from now) but will not be allowed to display their photos on election posters, this according to Sheikh Abdullah Al-Munea, a senior member of the Board of Ulema. “It is impermissible for a woman who wants to enter the next municipal elections to promote herself by hanging her photos in streets and malls like men candidates. This is permissible in closed women’s halls,” he was quoted as saying by the Al-Hayat newspaper...

Metropolitan Hilarion celebrates at Moscow representation of Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 07:32:17 +0100

On September 21, 2011, the Nativity of Our Lady, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas’s church of the Nativity of Our Lady at Golutvin, which is the Moscow representation of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church, called Chinese Patriarchal Metochion.Among the worshippers were benefactors of the St. Nicholas church. Some prayers were said in Chinese. After the liturgy the...

CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: AUSTRIA, 14TH ICO ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:39:58 +0100

The 14th annual Conference organised by ICO (Initiative Christlicher Orient – Christian Orient Initiative), an organisation aimed at raising awareness of the situation of Christians in the Middle East, kicked off yesterday in Salzburg with an appeal by Mgr. Ludwig Schwarz to show greater solidarity with Christians in the Middle East. The Bishop of Linz stressed the “great dangers but also the opportunities” for Christians, linked to “political and social changes in the Arab world. It is s...

The Christians of the Near East and Islamist ideology

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:17:49 +0100

Bernardo CervelleraGazzada (AsiaNews) - From September 6 to 10 last, the 23rd European Week focusing on the life history and tradition of the Christian communities of Antiochian tradition (Maronite, Byzantine, Syriac, Chaldean, Armenian, Malankara, ... ) was held in Gazzada (VA).These weeks are organised by the Fondazione Ambrosiana Paolo VI and the Catholic Sacro Cuore University and are held in the magnificent setting of Villa Cagnola, an eighteenth-century jewel. The specific theme was "From t...

TURKEY: I.HALEVE (CHIEF RABBI), “A FURTHER STEP” TOWARDS THE EU

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:03:48 +0100

(From our correspondents in Munich) “A further step towards Europe”: Isak Haleve, Chief Rabbi of Turkey, described in these terms in an interview with SIR the law announced by the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and published on the Official Journal on 27 August, about the return of the properties confiscated from religious Foundations by the Turkish Government after 1936. This law, however, only applies to minority communities (Greek, Armenian, Jewish) that have their properties regist...

ECUMENISM: BARTHOLOMEW I, “LET THE WORD OF GOD CHANGE OUR LIVES”

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:35:25 +0100

Meeting “the living Word of God, so as to let it change our lives into living cells of the Body of Christ, line after line, drop after drop”. It is the hope by the ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, addressed to the participants in the International Ecumenical Meeting of Orthodox Spiritualism, opened this morning in Bose with the theme “The Word of God in spiritual life”. “The Word of God – wrote Bartholomew I – is not just something inspiring or authoritative. I...