Welcome to this week’s fascinating update from the East, brought to you in partnership with L’Œuvre d’Orient. Let’s dive into the latest happenings:
Iconic Moments at the Louvre:
The Louvre Museum in Paris recently played host to a remarkable international symposium titled ‘In flesh and gold: Perspectives on Icons’. The symposium coincided with the unveiling of the esteemed Abou Adal collection at the museum, featuring 272 iconic pieces from Eastern Europe and the Levant. During the event, two talented artists from Aleppo shared their moving stories of restoring war-damaged icons from Syria and their involvement in the chapel dedicated to Eastern Christians at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.
Ukraine Under Fire:
The situation in Ukraine remains dire as Russian bombardment continues to ravage several towns despite talks of a ceasefire. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, condemned the recent deadly attacks on Kharkiv, Soumy, and Kryvyï Rih, where innocent civilians, including children, lost their lives. He emphasized the stark contrast between diplomatic negotiations and the harsh realities of war on the ground, calling for spiritual vigilance and urging all to pray fervently for justice and peace.
A Saintly Sunday:
This past Sunday marked the Fifth Sunday of Byzantine Lent, dedicated to the extraordinary life of Mary of Egypt, a former prostitute turned saint. Her transformative journey serves as a powerful reminder of God’s boundless mercy and the transformative power of sincere repentance. As Palm Sunday approaches, the Church encourages all believers to approach God with humility and trust in His unwavering love.
