Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Visits Catholicose-Patriarch Karekin II of Armenia
14. March 2018 - 15:04
From March 6 to 10, 2018, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II made a private visit to His brother in Christ His Holiness Catholicose Karekin II, Catholicose-Patriarch of All Armenians, in Etchmiadzin – Armenia.
Persecuted Christians and a dying church in Eritrea
12. March 2018 - 16:39
If you ask people, “Where is Eritrea?” most would have no idea. As a tiny Eastern African country the size of Pennsylvania, with a population a little over 5 million people, it does not attract much attention. However, it should. The Christian population of Eritrea is being persecuted — their recognized leaders have been removed and the communities are living under strict government regulations that restrict their freedoms. Eritrea is a country situated in the ‘Horn of Africa’, bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti the southeast. The nation is dominated by two major religions, Christianity and Islam. Estimates indicate that 50% to 64% of the population is Christian.
Egypt regularises 53 churches built without a permit
9. March 2018 - 16:33
Without a permit, the buildings were outside the law. A 1934 law prevented the construction of new Christian buildings. Under a new law adopted in 2016, Egyptian governors must justify whenever they reject an application. According to a local NGO, Egypt’s three main denominations (Orthodox, Evangelical, Catholic) have submitted in total 3,730 applications for regularised status.
Vatican issues 5 Euro coin for the first time
9. March 2018 - 16:30
The Vatican’s Philatelic and Numismatic Office on Thursday released for the first time a €5 coin as a collector’s item. It commemorates 600 years of the famed cupola of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. Mauro Olivieri, the head of the Philatelic and Numismatic Office speaks about the other novelties coming up.
Historic Georgian church in Turkey’s Erzurum to be restored
7. March 2018 - 19:18
The historic Öşvank Church, built in the 10th century by the descendants of Georgian King Kuropalat Adernese in the eastern province of Erzurum’s Uzundere district, is set to undergo a significant restoration process this year. The restoration will be kicked off following initial structural surveys of the structure and its surroundings. Built between 963-973 in what is today the Çamlıyamaç neighborhood of Uzundere, the church’s walls, ornaments and columns have gradually been weathered and damaged over time.
