Christian world

The Governor and the Political Leadership of Isfahan Meet with His Holiness Aram I

On Sunday, after the Holy Liturgy, His Holiness Aram I received the Governor of Isfahan, his deputies, the head of religious affairs and the chief of internal security at the Holy Saviour Monastery. This was the first such visit in the centuries-long history of the two peoples. The Governor first thanked Catholicos Aram I for his visit to Iran, his leadership and the significant contribution of the Armenian community to the city. During their conversation they also discussed the situation in the Middle East.

Armenian and Syrian Orthodox Patriarchs: Recognize the Armenian and Assyrian Genocide

The primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Syrian Orthodox Church are turning to the whole Christian world and the international community so that, on the occasion of the centennial commemorations the crimes committed against the Armenians and Syriac Christians in 1915, in the current territories of Turkey, are recognized and condemned.

The Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, Karekin II, and the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, Mar Ignatius Aphrem II, met on Monday, October 13 at the spiritual center of all Armenians, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 20 kilometers from Yerevan, where they signed a Joint Declaration to affirm the unity of faith, and the willful desire to continue cooperation between the two sister Churches, the Armenian and Syriac Orthodox “sister Churches, founded by the Apostles, the same Christology and Apostolic Tradition, patristic heritage and common saints, confessors and witnesses”. 

Bedouins attack and levy a tax on St. Catherine's Monastery on Sinai

The most ancient St. Catherine’s (Katherine’s) Orthodox Monastery situated on the Biblical land of Sinai peninsula has been once again persecuted by Muslim extremists and local authorities, reports the Linga news portal with the reference to Copts Today.

For today Arab islamists, who lead a seminomadic way of life in the Sinai desert, pose the main threat to lives of the monks and condition of the monument of the world architecture.

Iraqi Assyrian Village Takes the Fight to ‘IS’

 Mrayma Mansour, who leads the night patrol of Assyrian Christian fighters in the town of Al Qosh, looks jumpy. He has a dagger tucked into the waist band of his fatigues and his large green eyes are bloodshot.

Nusra Front frees priest, Christian hostages in Syria

A priest and 20 other Christians kidnapped by Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria this were released Thursday, the Franciscan order said.

“Father Hanna Jallouf has been released this morning ... He is under house arrest at the convent of Qunyeh,” the order said, without providing further details.A Franciscan spokeswoman later confirmed to AFP that the other captives were also released.Rebels linked to the Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda’s Syria branch, abducted Jallouf and the others Sunday in the northwestern village of Qunyeh, near the Turkish border, the order said.

Syrian Assyrians Take Shelter in Istanbul Church

A group of Syrian Christian refugees has taken shelter in an Istanbul church, returning to Turkey almost 100 years after their ancestors were forced from Anatolia by the Ottoman Empire.

The Meryem Ana (Mother Mary) Church of the local Syriac [Assyrian] community in Istanbul’s Samatya neighborhood is also hosting Syrian Armenians and Berbers. Turgay Alinisik, the manager of the foundation for the Syriac community, told Hurriyet that the number of refugees taking shelter in the church was constantly changing. The church provides refuge for all, regardless of their religion or sect, Alinisik added.