News

St. Luke’s Orthodox Cathedral in Hong Kong closes

The government has ordered the closure of St. Luke’s Orthodox Cathedral in Hong Kong in fear of an outbreak of coronavirus. The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia has annonunced that the Cathedral of Saint Luke in Hong Kong will remain closed until March 31, 2020.  But the Roman Catholics have also suspended all Lenten services as well as Sunday Masses.

Next Synod of Bishops in 2022; theme to be decided by Pope

At a meeting of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis decided that the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will be held in two years’ time, in autumn. He will decide on one of three themes presented to him.

The next ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops has been scheduled for "for autumn 2022", to ensure a "greater involvement" of the whole Church "in the preparation and celebration" of the synod, said a note from the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

Pope receives Željko Komšić of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Pope Francis on Saturday morning received in audience Željko Komšić, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A Holy See Press Office statement said discussions between the two leaders took place in a cordial atmosphere, and specified that “the parties focused on the good bilateral relations and the domestic situation of the country, with particular attention to the Catholic community. Likewise, the need to guarantee full respect for the rights of all citizens and the effective equality of the three constituent peoples”.

Pope Francis: Pray for our Chinese brothers and sisters who are affected by Covid-19

Pope Francis said today that he is praying for the Chinese who have been affected by the new coronavirus, hoping that they will recover soon.

“A prayer for our Chinese brothers and sisters who are affected by this ‘cruel’ epidemic. May they find a path to recovery as soon as possible,” the Pontiff said during the weekly General Audience held every Wednesday.

Orthodox Christian Novak Djokovic serves Jesus on and off the tennis court

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is through to the Australian Open final after beating an injured Roger Federer in a semi-final showdown on Rod Laver Arena last night.

Currently ranked number 2 in the world, Djokovic player is a well-known Orthodox Christian, who regularly wears a wooden cross around his neck. He’s known for praying through his matches as does his wife – a practice sports commenters observe with interest:

World Cancer Day: A leading international awareness day

At the start of the millennium, 4 February was declared World Cancer Day. It began with six cancer experts who convened in Paris in 1999. With the year 2000 imminent, the group was determined that the global challenge of cancer would not be forgotten in the new century.

Together, the six leaders drafted a Charter that outlined a vision for addressing the impact of cancer on “human life, human suffering and on the productivity of nations”.