Welcome to this week’s fascinating news from the Eastern Churches, brought to you in collaboration with L’Œuvre d’Orient. This week brings us updates on elections in India, the vibrant celebrations of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi in the East, and the upcoming canonization of the Martyrs of Damascus.
Elections in India
In recent election news, the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emerged victorious in the Indian legislative elections held on June 4th. However, this victory has raised concerns among the Christian population in India. Since coming into power in 2014, Prime Minister Modi’s nationalist policies have sparked fears of transforming India into a Hindu nation. Discrimination and attacks on Christian and Muslim places of worship have become alarmingly common. Currently, Christians make up 2.3% of India’s population, with approximately 27 to 30 million faithful. Unfortunately, there are 2,330 Christians currently imprisoned in India due to their faith, making up nearly half of the Christian prisoners worldwide.
Solemnity of Corpus Christi in the East
The Feast of Corpus Christi saw numerous celebrations across the Eastern regions on May 30th. In Zahle, Lebanon, Catholics and Orthodox Christians came together for a unified procession, led by Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi. The streets were filled with prayers and songs as young people and scouts organized a torchlight march. Meanwhile, in Iraq, Archbishop Mirkis led a Mass at the Cathedral of Kirkuk, followed by a procession of the Blessed Sacrament. The following day, 28 children from Kirkuk celebrated their first communion, marking a special moment of faith and unity.
The Martyrs of Damascus Soon to be Saints
In a significant development, the “Martyrs of Damascus,” consisting of eight Franciscan friars and three Maronite laypeople, have been cleared for canonization by the Pope. These martyrs were killed in Damascus in 1860 due to their unwavering faith in the face of persecution by the Druze. Beatified almost a century ago in 1926, they refused to renounce their Christian faith before being brutally slain. This upcoming canonization is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these individuals in the name of their belief.
