News

Pope prays for peace ahead of 80th anniversary of World War II outbreak

On that day in 1939, Germany invaded Poland, leading Britain and France to declare war on Adolf Hitler’s Nazi state, two days later.

Pope Francis recalled that tragic day on Wednesday, as well as the commemorations to be held in Warsaw, Wielun, and other Polish cities.

China, consecration of first bishop following Provisional Agreement

“I can confirm that H.E. Mgr. Antonio Yao Shun, who has been consecrated Bishop of Jining/Wulanchabu, Inner Mongolia (China), received the Papal Mandate, as was also stated by the Ordaining Bishop during the ceremony yesterday, 26th August 2019."This is how the director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni, responded to questions from journalists. “The Episcopal Ordination of H.E. Mgr. Antonio Yao is the first to take place in the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China signed in Beijing on 22nd September 2018”, noted Bruni.

China, second bishop consecrated under Sino-Holy See agreement

The Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China, on the appointment of bishops in China, was signed in Beijing on 22 September 2018. Nearly a year on, the deal is bearing fruit.

On Wednesday, 28 August, Monsignor Stefano Xu Hongwei, was consecrated Coadjutor Bishop of Hanzhong (Shaanxi) in China.

Statement of the Meeting of the Heads of the Christian Churches in Damascus

Mor Aphrem Monastery, Maarat Saydnaya – August 12, 2019

Monastery of St. Aphrem the Syrian –Maarat Saydnaya hosted the Patriarchs' meetings:  His Holiness Mar Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Absi Greek Catholic Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Alexandria and Jerusalem, with the presence of His Eminence Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio in Syria and the participation of the heads of the Christian Churches in Damascus.

Metropolitan Hilarion speaks at global Christian youth forum in Manila

On 8^th – 10^th August 2019, the Jesus Global Youth Day took place at the Mall of Asia Arena in the city of Manila, the Philippines, bringing together over thirty thousand participants from more than 100 countries. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, attended the forum.

Movie depicting tribulations of St Nektarios of Aegina coming to cinemas across Greece soon

Movie theatres across Greece will be showing a new film ‘Man of God’ depicting the life and tribulations of Saint Nektarios of Aegina.  Based on a true story, ‘Man of God’ will highlight the inspiring and struggling life of Saint Nektarios, played by leading actor Aris Servetalis (42). ‘Exiled unjustly, convicted without trial, slandered without cause, yet his love for God and his fellow men conquered all. Man of God depicts the tribulations of Saint Nektarios of Aegina, as he bears the unjust hatred of his enemies, while preaching the Word of God and wishing good to everyone.’