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Addres by patriarch Bartholomew to the Salvation Army (December 6, 2018)

Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Salvation Army (December 6, 2018)

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Having journeyed to your beautiful and hospitable country from the historic See of Constantinople—the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the “Mother Church of Christ’s poor”—it is with joy that we accepted the gracious invitation of the esteemed leaders of the Salvation Army to participate in the inauguration of this blessed initiative to provide economic relief for the poor, broken and humbled members of our society. We truly appreciate all of your efforts on behalf of these the least of our brethren, and we wholeheartedly commend you for your selfless dedication and sincere desire to help them.

Message by patriarch Bartholomew to the United Nations Conference of the Parties

Message by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP 24) (Poland, December 3-14, 2018)

Dear and distinguished friends,

We are pleased to send this brief greeting of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the members of the United Nations Conference of the Parties and to all people of good will assembling in Poland this year to reflect on the impact of climate change and the urgency of addressing its implications.

First Ever Coptic Orthodox Divine Liturgy Celebrated in Saudi Arabia

A report by Cairoscese states that the first ever Coptic Orthodox Divine Liturgy was held in the conservative Islamic nation of Saudi Arabia. Several Coptic Christians attended the historic Liturgical service. Bishop Ava Mercorious of Shobra El Kheima served the Divine Liturgy at the house of a Coptic resident. The worship services were held over two days (30th November – 1st of December, 2018).

Early Japanese Christian scroll unveiled

A museum has announced at a press conference here that a picture scroll depicting Christians in Japan in its possession was most likely created during the Azuchi-Momoyama period at the end of the 16th century, right after Christianity was introduced to Japan.

Pope visits ‘Pilgrimage of Russian Art’ exhibit in Vatican

During the private visit the Pope was accompanied by Vatican Museums Director, Barbara Jatta, and by the curator of the exhibition, Zelfira Tregulova who heads Moscow’s Tretayakov Gallery. A communiqué from the Vatican Press Office revealed the visit took place at 10am and lasted about 40 minutes. The exhibition is free and can be visited until 16 February 2019.

ACN: almost 300 million Christians persecuted in 21 countries

Some 61% of the world’s population live in countries where religious freedom is not respected; in other words, 6 out of every 10 people around the world cannot express their faith with total freedom.   Among them are almost 300 million Christians, or 1 out of 7, who live in a country of persecution, subject to violence, arrest, and human rights violations.