Christian world

Fire broke out at Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses

A fire broke out this morning at the famous “Hill of Crosses” in the Šiauliai region of Lithuania, reports Sputnik-Lithuania. Six firetrucks were sent to the famous Christian pilgrimage site after news of the fire was received at 9:30 this morning. The blaze covered about 10 square meters of the hill, according to Gintaras Zones of the state fire department.

Palms Sunday in Damascus

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo on the occasion of Palms Sunday at St. Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma, Damascus.

The General Assembly of the European Christian Women Forum

With the blessing of His Grace Serbian Orthodox  Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac, the  next General Assembly of European Christian Women Forum will be held in the monastery of St. Nicholas in Soko Grad, Serbia, in August 2018. This decision was passed at a consultative meeting of the Board of that Forum held in that monastery in the beginning of this month.

During that Assembly some 120 women from 33 European countries will meet and reflect on the theme of temptations and challenges that European women face in various fields.

Statement by the Holy Metropolis of Sweden on the Attack in Downtown Stockholm

n the aftermath of the appalling event that blemishes the coming celebration of Holy Pascha (Easter), our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of our fellow citizens who were unjustly killed and injured in Friday's attack. The blind and intolerant violence that targeted the peaceful land of Sweden will ultimately bring about the opposite of what its perpetrators intended because it will unite all of society's healthy forces against fanaticism. During these difficult moments, the steadfast relationship of trust and cooperation between this eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Scandinavian peninsula, the Kingdom of Sweden, and local society, with whom we share the same concerns, is reaffirmed.

Statement by Bishop Angaelos following two explosions in Coptic Churches in Tanta & Alexandria

Today, Egypt’s Christians experienced yet another targeted attack, with a bombing of the Church of Saint George in Tanta during what was meant to be a joyous day of families celebrating Palm Sunday. A few hours later there was a second bombing in Alexandria, killing innocent men, women and children as they left a Palm Sunday Liturgy that was officiated by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark.

While it is still too early to determine responsibility, what is undeniable is the senseless and heartless brutality that can lead a person or people to indiscriminately take innocent lives, especially at the most vulnerable hour of prayer.

Second Explosion in Alexandria: Three killed & Thirty One Injured

John Anton (Special Correspondent in Egypt) – OCP News Service – 9/4/17

Alexandria: Apart from the deadly bombing (today morning hours) at Mar Girgis Coptic Orthodox Church in Tanta that claimed the life of 28 people, another bomb exploded outside the St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria, where Pope Tawadros II was celebrating Palm Sunday Liturgy. Two people were killed and more than twenty one were injured. Pope Twadros II is safe.

Source: OCP News Service