Christian world

First Ever Coptic Orthodox Divine Liturgy Celebrated in Saudi Arabia

A report by Cairoscese states that the first ever Coptic Orthodox Divine Liturgy was held in the conservative Islamic nation of Saudi Arabia. Several Coptic Christians attended the historic Liturgical service. Bishop Ava Mercorious of Shobra El Kheima served the Divine Liturgy at the house of a Coptic resident. The worship services were held over two days (30th November – 1st of December, 2018).

Early Japanese Christian scroll unveiled

A museum has announced at a press conference here that a picture scroll depicting Christians in Japan in its possession was most likely created during the Azuchi-Momoyama period at the end of the 16th century, right after Christianity was introduced to Japan.

Pope visits ‘Pilgrimage of Russian Art’ exhibit in Vatican

During the private visit the Pope was accompanied by Vatican Museums Director, Barbara Jatta, and by the curator of the exhibition, Zelfira Tregulova who heads Moscow’s Tretayakov Gallery. A communiqué from the Vatican Press Office revealed the visit took place at 10am and lasted about 40 minutes. The exhibition is free and can be visited until 16 February 2019.

ACN: almost 300 million Christians persecuted in 21 countries

Some 61% of the world’s population live in countries where religious freedom is not respected; in other words, 6 out of every 10 people around the world cannot express their faith with total freedom.   Among them are almost 300 million Christians, or 1 out of 7, who live in a country of persecution, subject to violence, arrest, and human rights violations.  

The Church in the Changing World: Challenges and Perspectives

On November 23, with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a three-day conference was held in the “Karegin I” educational center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, entitled “The Church in the Changing World: Challenges and Perspectives”, organized by the partnership of the “Dialogue” NGO. The conference began with the Lord’s Prayer, following which His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See, welcomed the participating clergy and laymen.

Cardinal Charles Bo of Myanmar new president of FABC

Myanmar’s first cardinal has been elected the next president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).  

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon was elected the new FABC president at the FABC Central Committee meeting on November 16.  He will assume office on January 1, 2019.

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Meets Crown Prince of Bahrain

On November 21, 2018, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II met with His Excellency Crown Prince of Bahrain His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifah, at the Crown Prince’s palace in Manama, Bahrain.