New magazine launched by Russian Orthodox Association to promote contemporary Christian art
18. March 2015 - 14:48
A group of Russian Orthodox artists and intellectuals has launched an arts journal in an effort to promote the role of religious art in today’s increasingly secular society.
The launch of Dary, or “Gifts”, which is published in a glossy magazine format, came just before Patriarch Kirill I of the Russian Orthodox Church publicly denounced Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square, 1915 as a “black and frightening” reflection of darkness both in the soul of the artist and in society at large.
The magazine is published by Artos, an association created to promote Christian contemporary culture. “Artos” is a Greek word that the Russian Orthodox Church uses to signify “communion bread”. The association’s statement of purpose reads: “In the modern era, which some characterise as ‘post-Christian’, there are artists who are inspired by the Bible and the teachings of the Church, and who feel a strong connection with tradition. At the same time they are searching for a new figurative and artistic language.”
ISIS Destroys Assyrian Churches : Hostages Still Being Held
17. March 2015 - 16:43
ISIS has posted pictures, on its twitter accounts, of its members destroying the St. George Monastery in Mosul. The pictures show ISIS members using sledgehammers to smash crosses and icons, and removing the cross from the dome and replacing it with the black ISIS flag.
European Parliament Passes Resolution Calling for Assyrian Safe Haven in North Iraq
13. March 2015 - 13:45
The European Parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for the establishment of an Assyrian safe haven in north Iraq. Citing the attacks by ISIS on Assyrians in Iraq and Syria, including the abduction of nearly 300 Assyrians, the killing of dozens of Assyrians in the attacks on their villages in Syria, the destruction of Assyrian cultural heritage such as the city of Nimrud, the resolution “is shocked and saddened at the brutal actions by ISIS/Da’esh extremists against the Assyrians in Syria…” and “Strongly condemns ISIS/Da’esh and its egregious human rights abuses that amount to crimes against humanity…”
ISIS Burned 1,500 Historical Manuscripts and Sold Assyrian Sculptures
13. March 2015 - 13:42
Islamic State (ISIS) has burned 1,500 historical manuscripts in Iraq and sold Assyrian sculptures on the black market, the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities revealed yesterday.
The Undersecretary of the Minister of Tourism Qais Hussein Rashid said that the province of Nineveh in northern Iraq, which is under ISIS control, is at the forefront of Iraqi provinces that contain the largest number of archaeological sites.
Archbishop of Tunisia: “I will not leave Lybia as long as a single Christian is alive here”
11. March 2015 - 16:47
Despite the alarming situation developing around the Christians living in North African countries, archpastors of the dioceses of Tunisia and Libya are continuing their ministry and refusing to abandon their flock, reports the MCN portal with the reference to theVatican Radio.
Ilario Antoniazzi, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tunis (capital of Tunisia), has described the present situation in his archdiocese in his interview with the journalists. According to the hierarch, the recent execution of 21 Copts in Libya was only one of the numerous examples of daily terror by islamists against Christians of this country where he has been serving since 2013.
