News from the Orient – May 24, 2024
Vatican news
In this week's news from the Churches of the Orient, produced in collaboration with L'Œuvre d'Orient, Patriarch Pizzaballa visits the Catholic parish of Gaza, Cairo sees a cultural venue reopen and Mosul takes a few steps towards normality.
This week's Oriental News:
Visit of the Patriarch of Jerusalem to Gaza
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, spent four days in Gaza with Christians in the territory to celebrate Pentecost.
From May 15 to 19, he met and listened to all the families of the Sainte-Famille Catholic parish. He also administered the sacrament of Confirmation to two boys and visited the Orthodox parish.
On his return to Jerusalem, he praised the faith that sustains the Christians of Gaza.
“Christians,” he said, “cannot hate, even in the midst of the thousands of physical, psychological and spiritual trials that such a situation entails. »
The priest of the Sainte-Famille parish and three nuns remained on site to help the people of Gaza.
Reopening of the Nassbian Theater in Cairo
On Saturday, May 18, the reopening ceremony of the Nassbian Theater in Cairo took place.
The El Nahda association, which manages the place, also celebrated its 25th anniversary and the first anniversary of the death of its founder, Jesuit Father William Sidhom.
The center welcomes disadvantaged young people from the city by offering them numerous cultural activities, as well as artistic training to facilitate free self-expression.
For 25 years, many professionals in the fields of cinema, theater and animation have been trained there.
Destroyed by a fire in October 2021, the theater was rebuilt thanks to numerous donors in order to continue its educational and cultural mission.
Joy of Christians returning to Mosul
Mosul has taken another step towards the return of Christians.
On Wednesday, May 22, Father Roni, Syriac Catholic priest of the diocese of Mosul and parish priest of Mar Yacoub in Qaraqosh, led a group of 350 women from Qaraqosh to Mosul.
They gathered to pray the Rosary at the Syriac Catholic parish of Al-Bichara, during this Marian month.
At the same time, restoration work on the Mar Toma Syriac Orthodox Church and the Al-Tahira Chaldean Church is progressing, breathing new life into Mosul.
The Christian presence is gradually regaining its place in Mosul.
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