Welcome to this week’s edition of News from the Orient, brought to you in partnership with L’Œuvre d’Orient. Join us as we explore the latest happenings in the Eastern Churches.
International Day of Eastern Christians
On Sunday, May 25, the Church commemorated the International Day for Eastern Christians. This special day serves as a reminder to pray for our Eastern brothers and sisters, who often face challenges as religious minorities in their native lands. A beautiful Mass was held at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, presided over by His Beatitude Louis Raphaël Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldeans, and attended by bishops and priests from various Eastern Churches. Similar events took place in Poland, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Pilgrimage to Sighet, Romania
Over 2,000 individuals participated in the annual pilgrimage to honor the martyrs of Sighet Prison in Romania. The pilgrimage began at the former prison, now transformed into a Memorial to the Resistance against Communism, and culminated at the Cemetery of the Poor, where many detainees were laid to rest without proper graves. Three Greek-Catholic bishops, who were later beatified, perished at Sighet, with their remains never recovered. The pilgrimage concluded with a poignant Divine Liturgy held in front of a Greek-Catholic church currently under construction.
Saint Rita Honored in Syria
Every year on May 22, Christians in Syria pay tribute to Saint Rita of Cascia, the patron saint of impossible causes. Saint Rita’s story of unwavering faith amidst suffering resonates deeply with Syrians enduring their own hardships and clinging to hope. Commemorative Masses, the sharing of roses, and processions were held throughout Syria, symbolizing resilience and optimism in the face of adversity.
