Source: Public Orthodoxy Originally posted on October 3, 2024 by Dr. Michael Azar Associate Professor of Theology/Religious Studies at the University of Scranton This webinar discusses the plight of Christians in the Holy Land, especially in Gaza. Prior to the current war, Gaza’s Christians numbered roughly 1000 out of 2.1 million people in Gaza, the vast majority Orthodox Christians. Since the Israeli bombardment began in October 2023, most of Gaza’s Christians have been sheltering at St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church and Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City. The Orthodox Church had had a venerable presence in the Holy Land since…
Browsing: Israel
Source: Public Orthodoxy Inga Leonova Editor-in-Chief at The Wheel Journal Once again, following violence against Jews, Jewish schools, synagogues, cultural centers around the world have gone on high alert, because any local violence against Jews is perceived as a rallying cry elsewhere. The context is an astonishing global surge in antisemitism. Following the attack on Israel of October 7, the Western world erupted in massive pro-Palestinian rallies, often replete with calls for the eradication of Israel – not Hamas. Even the Secretary-General of the UN repeated Hamas propaganda and made excuses for the unspeakable massacre by “contextualizing” it. The mainstream media…
Source: Public Orthodoxy Michael G. Azar Associate Professor of Theology/Religious Studies at the University of Scranton In his fight against those in Gaza whom he called “human animals,” the Israeli defense minister on October 8 vowed to act “accordingly” by cutting off fuel, food, water, and electricity to the impoverished strip of land. With this explicit policy of collective punishment (which has gotten even more collective and punishing in the last month), residential neighborhoods and marketplaces became immediate targets. Israel’s military dropped 6,000 bombs in the first six days of the war with “damage, not accuracy” as its goal. In those first few days, the neighborhood…
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Report from the Patriarchate of Antioch (بيان باللغة العربية) On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, arrived at the Beirut Archbishopric. His Eminence Elias Audi, the Metropolitan of Beirut and its Dependencies, received him with the priests of the Archdiocese. After the prayer, a closed meeting took place between His Beatitude the Patriarch and His Eminence Metropolitan Elias, followed by lunch. His Beatitude answered journalists’ questions as follows: “I address you, my beloved ones, from this honorable residence in Beirut,…
Source: PIME Asia News Father Romanelli notes that for now only an “announcement” has been made. Hopefully, words will be followed by deeds. This year no age restriction is expected. Gaza Catholics are waiting for Patriarch Pizzaballa for the celebrations. A solemn Mass will be held “for those unable to get an exit permit.” Gaza (AsiaNews) – This year, Israel has decided to grant hundreds of exit permits for the Christmas holidays to Gaza Christians. This is “good” news as well as a “positive sign” for Christians living in the Strip, although for now, “it is only an announcement”. Hopefully,…
Source: Greek Reporter By Tasos Kokkinidis On Sunday, the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem released a statement calling for an end of violence against Palestinians in East Jerusalem. Currently, over 300 Palestinians and 21 Israeli police officers have been injured after clashes between the two groups broke out near the Al Aqsa Mosque and at Sheikh Jarrah. Statement by Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem The Patriarchs and Head of Churches of Jerusalem released a statement about the violence in Jerusalem on Sunday. “We the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem, are profoundly disheartened and concerned about the recent violent events in…
Source: AGAIN Magazine Originally published in the Fall 2005 edition By Fr. Thomas Zell One of my earliest childhood memories is of piling into the back of our family car on Sunday morning and heading off to our little Baptist church in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Along with ensuring that my brother and I were properly cleaned and dressed for the occasion, my father would always drop several coins into our hands, so that we, in turn, could drop them into the offering plate at church. Tithing was something Dad faithfully practiced all his life, and he wanted to make sure…
Source: Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate The Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, notes with sorrow and dismay that the Israeli Knesset is once again attempting to pass a law that would allow for the confiscation of Church owned-lands. The implications of this discriminatory bill cannot be overstated. The “Proposed tenant rights law on leased land that was sold,” introduced by Member of the Knesset Rachel Azaria, exclusively effects lands own by Churches, not Jewish- or Muslim-owned lands. It is scheduled to be discussed by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation this Sunday, October 21. This bill is…
Source: National Geographic Restorers working in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Israel uncover stone slab venerated as the resting place of Jesus Christ. By Kristin Romey JERUSALEM, ISRAELFor the first time in centuries, scientists have exposed the original surface of what is traditionally considered the tomb of Jesus Christ. Located in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, the tomb has been covered by marble cladding since at least 1555 A.D., and most likely centuries earlier. “The marble covering of the tomb has been pulled back, and we were surprised by the amount…
Source: The Times of Israel Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher to stay open during renovation, set to begin next month and run through 2017 BY SUE SURKES Jordan’s King Abdullah is to contribute an unspecified amount towards the upcoming renovation of Jesus’s Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Jordan Times reported. The work is expected to begin in May and to be completed in early 2017. The site will remain open to visitors during the refurbishment. The king’s decision to donate “at His Majesty’s personal expense” was conveyed in a letter from the Royal Hashemite Court…
Source: Daily Mail UNESCO made Jordanian bank of the River Jordan, site of the baptism of Jesus, a World Heritage Site UNESCO made Jordanian bank of the River Jordan a World Heritage Site UN agency ruled east side of river was more likely to be Jesus’ baptism site But more tourists visit the claimed baptism site in Israel, west of the river Scholars say official ruling has ‘nothing to do with archaeological reality’ By OLLIE GILLMAN FOR MAILONLINE For years, Christian pilgrims have waded into the River Jordan from both its eastern and western banks to meet at the site…
Source: Ma’an News Agency By Alex Shams BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Christmas is a time for holiday cheer in Bethlehem, as thousands from across Palestine and around the world converge to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in the hilltop West Bank city. Onlookers at the Orthodox Christmas parade on Jan. 6 this year, however, were surprised to find protesters awaiting the traditional visit of the Patriarch to Nativity Church, and six youths were even arrested after chanting slogans against him in Manger Square. For those participating in the rally, it was the visit of Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III — not…