Christian world

Shubqono Prayer – Damascus

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II presided over the evening prayer (Ramsho) at St. George Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma, Damascus. At the end of the prayer, His Holiness prayed the special prayer of Shubqono (Forgiveness) during which the clergy and faithful ask forgiveness from one another, before the beginning of the Great Lent.

Pope appoints new bishop for UK diocese of Lancaster

Canon Paul Swarbrick has extensive pastoral experience in the diocese and has served as a missionary in Zambia

Pope Francis has named Canon Paul Swarbrick as the new bishop of the diocese of Lancaster in the north of England. He takes over from Bishop Gregory Campbell who submitted his resignation in October 2016.

Archaeologists uncover 5th century church in Turkey

A 1,500-year-old church, believed to be one of the earliest in Asia Minor, has been unearthed by archaeologists in a dig in the Black Sea Province of Karabük, Turkey, reports Christian Today.

The church, found in the area of the ancient city of Hadrianapolis, which now lies buried beneath Eskipazar, 100 miles north of Ankara, is decorated with images of the Geon, Phison, Tigris, and Euphrates Rivers, all of which are mentioned in the Bible, notes Ersin Çelikbaş of Karabük University's archaeology department.

UK minister: Dialogue and respect to combat religious intolerance

‘Why it matters to be intolerant of intolerance’ was the title of a conference held at Rome’s Gregorian University this week, highlighting the need for closer cooperation in the fight against violent extremism.

Key speakers at the event were Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, head of the Congregation for Oriental Churches and Tariq Ahmad, a British government minister of state for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, tasked with issues of counter-terrorism and freedom of religion.

40,000 march through heavy Parisian rain to protest abortion

Despite the heavy rain, approximately 40,000 people came out for the March for Life through the streets of Paris on Sunday. The pro-lifers completed the entire 4-hour march in downtown Paris. This year’s theme was “From Darkness to Light,” reports the Catholic News Agency. In addition to the tens of thousands of Frenchmen, several pro-life groups from Holland, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Portugal also joined the pro-life march.

Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of All Armenians

Karekin II (secular name Ktrich G. Nersisian) was born on August 21, 1951, at the Voskehat village near Etchmiadzin, Armenia. He attended the seminary in Etchmiadzin from 1965 to 1971. After graduation, he served as seminary assistant inspector and taught the New Testament.  He was ordained deacon in 1970 and priest with the name of Karekin in 1972.