News from the Eastern Churches: Celebrating St. Matthew and Unity Among Bishops
Welcome to this week’s news from the Eastern Churches, brought to you in collaboration with L’Œuvre d’Orient. In this edition, we highlight the celebration of the feast of St. Matthew in Iraq and the annual meeting of Eastern-rite bishops in Europe.
Feastday at Mar Mattai
Last week, on September 17, the Mar Mattai Monastery in the Nineveh Plain, Iraq, was the site of a joyous celebration in honor of St. Matthew. Hundreds of faithful gathered for a solemn Mass led by Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Ephrem II. The festivities included a delightful concert by local schoolchildren, followed by an evening bonfire symbolizing light and faith at this sacred location in northern Iraq.
Meeting of Eastern European Bishops
Meanwhile, from September 16 to 19, over 60 Eastern-rite Catholic Bishops of Europe convened in Oradea, Romania for their annual meeting. The gathering, attended by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, focused on important topics such as the relationships between bishops and priests, fraternity, humanity, and the upcoming Synod on synodality. This meeting, which has been held since 1997, is a valuable opportunity for dialogue, debate, and prayer among the bishops.
Reflecting on the Fall of Nagorno-Karabakh
This week also marks the first anniversary of the tragic events in Nagorno-Karabakh, when the region faced a devastating attack by the Azerbaijani army on September 19, 2023. The swift surrender forced the 120,000 residents to flee, with many finding refuge in Armenia. Today, the chances of their return seem bleak, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the region.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Eastern Churches in the coming weeks. Thank you for joining us on this journey of faith, unity, and celebration!
