Welcome to this week’s edition of News from the Orient, brought to you in collaboration with L’Œuvre d’Orient. Join us as we explore the latest updates from the Eastern Churches!
A Tribute to Pope Francis
Over the weekend, the Eastern Churches came together to honor Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter’s Square. Leaders from both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, such as Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako and Patriarch Youssef Absi, paid their respects in a solemn ceremony. The Melkite Greek Catholic Church even sang “Christ is Risen” in multiple languages as a tribute to the late Pope.
Commemorating the 110th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
On the 110th anniversary of the 1915 Armenian genocide, the world came together to remember the 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives in the Ottoman Empire. From gatherings in Armenia to prayers in Qamishli, Syria, and Jerusalem, Christians everywhere united in solidarity to honor the memory of the victims.
Celebrating St. Thomas Sunday
Today, on April 27th, the Byzantine, Catholic, and Orthodox Churches celebrate St. Thomas Sunday, also known as Antipascha. This special feast marks the end of Bright Week and commemorates the moment when doubting Thomas witnessed the resurrected Christ and touched his wounds, affirming his faith.
