Christian world

The lawsuit by the Catholicosate of Cilicia claiming ownership of its historical Seat in Sis from the Constitutional Court of Turkey sets a legal precedent

11 December 2015. On Friday morning the head of the Middle East Office of the German newspaper, Allgemeine Zeitung, interviewed His Holiness Aram I in Antelias on the question of the lawsuit and the situation of Armenians in Aleppo.

In response to the question on the lawsuit claiming ownership of its historical Seat in Sis (presently Kozan in Turkey), the Catholicos stated that after 100 years it was necessary to proceed with legal action. The current claim will set a new legal precedent in the pursuit of the Armenian Cause, because the Church will continue demanding all other properties belonging to the Church or the community. After answering other questions, His Holiness Aram I concluded, “if the current Turkish leadership was interested in establishing ‘good neighbourly’ relations with Armenians, it should admit to the 1915 Genocide and return all confiscated property.”

Pope appoints new apostolic nuncio in Serbia

Roman Catholic Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Luciano Suriani, delegate for papal diplomatic representations, as apostolic nuncio in Serbia.

H.E. Archbishop Luciano Suriani, titular Archbishop of Amiternum was born in Atessa (Chieti, Italy) on January 11, 1957. On August 5, 1981 ordained Priest.Doctor of Canon Law. Entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on June 1, 1990. Since then, he served at the Pontifical Representations in Côte d’Ivoire and in Switzerland.  From July 1995 to August 2004 served at the Section for Relations with States of the Vatican Secretariat of State and, at the end, for 4 years at the Apostolic Nunciature in Italy.

Hundreds of Indian Christians Pressured to Reconvert to Hinduism

A persecution watchdog group has started a petition for hundreds of Christian families from over 50 villages in India who have been banned from practicing their faith, and pressured to reconvert to Hinduism.

"Today, we are joining our voice with our Indian brothers and sisters in Christ to call on the Prime Minister of India to specifically address the banning of Christianity. We believe in a society which touts religious tolerance and freedom. No one should be banned from practicing their faith freely. Sign our petition and let Christians in India know they are not alone in this fight," International Christian Concern said in a statement, providing a link to the petition.

Catholicos of All Armenians Received the Minister of Defense of Serbia

On November 24th, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; Mr. Bratislav Gashich, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Serbia, and his delegation.

They were accompanied by Mr. Davit Tonoyan, Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia; and His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Head Chaplain of the Republic of Armenia Armed Forces Ministry. During the meeting, His Holiness welcomed the cooperation between the defense ministries of the two countries, and expressed hope that it will be fruitful and contribute to the further development of military skills. His Holiness expressed his hope that the Armenian and Serbian soldiers not need to take up arms and defend their Homelands, but serve as peacekeepers to guarantee an undisturbed, safe and prosperous life for their people.

Coptic Pope Tawadros II on a Rare Historic Visit to the Holy City of Jerusalem

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria – Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church has arrived in the holy city of Jerusalem for a historic visit. Pope will lead the funeral services of the Metropolitan Anba Abraham of Jerusalem and Near East. The Metropolitan See of Jerusalem is the second most import center within the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. Visits to Jerusalem was suspended by the Coptic Patriarchate since Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.

‘Harp of Angels’ Pan-Orthodox Christian Christmas Gathering Held in Abu Dhabi

The Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM) of the St George Indian Orthodox Malankara Cathedral – Abu Dhabi hosted ‘Harp of Angels’ Pan-Orthodox Christian gathering on 27/11/15. The event was held at the St George Indian Orthodox Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of United Arab Emirates.