Welcome to this week’s news from the Eastern Churches, brought to you in collaboration with L’Œuvre d’Orient. Let’s dive into the latest updates from the fascinating world of Eastern Christianity.
This week’s News from the Orient:
Major Archbishop Thattil’s European Journey
The esteemed Major Archbishop Thattil made a significant stop in Europe this week. On May 13, he had the honor of concelebrating Mass with Pope Francis—an important moment in his new role as the head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
After being elected as the fifth Major Archbishop by the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church in India, His Beatitude Thattil was confirmed by Pope Francis. His European tour also included a visit to France, where he engaged with the Foreign Missions of Paris and L’Œuvre d’Orient.
Devastation at the Church of the Holy Ascension
Sad news emerged from Nagorno-Karabakh this week as satellite images unveiled the complete destruction of the Church of the Holy Ascension in Lachin. The shocking revelation came from Raffi Kortoshian, director of the Foundation for the Study of Armenian Architecture, on May 11, 2024.
This heartbreaking event adds to a series of demolitions, including the recent destruction of St. John the Baptist Church in Shusha and its cemetery, since the conflict in 2021.
Celebrating the Marian Month in Lebanon
May is a special time for Catholics as they honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Lebanon, the month kicked off with thousands of pilgrims making their way to Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, where a magnificent statue of the Virgin stands atop a rock.
Mid-month festivities included a unique event where numerous boats gathered at Bouar’s shores to create the largest floating rosary, a sight to behold from above.
The grand finale of the Marian celebrations occurred on the last Sunday of the month, as a multitude of people gathered at Our Lady of Lebanon to pay tribute to the Virgin Mary. Even the Lebanese army joined in by showering the statue with flower petals.
Stay tuned for more captivating updates from the Eastern Churches as they continue to enrich our understanding of the diverse and vibrant world of Christianity.
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