East

Urbi et Orbi Section: News from the East

The small structure inside the Church of the Holy Sephulcher in Jerusalem which encloses the tomb of Jesus Endangered Jesus Tomb Unites Rival Catholic, Orthodox Churches in $3.4 Million Restoration Project Three Christian traditions recently put aside their long-standing theological differences and agreed to partner to save the endangered holy place where Jesus was [...]

News from the East

Moving Toward Unity The Catholic and Orthodox Churches may be entering a new era of reconciliation. Three prominent Catholic figures with years of experience working with the Eastern Churches comment on recent developments and the progress toward unity they may augur Pope Francis, “Bishop of Rome”: Creating New Space for Dialog By Fr. James McCann When [...]

Spirituality: The Orthodox Saints Speak

The Desert Fathers Speak on Joy, Love and the Mercy of God If we keep remembering the wrongs which men have done us, we destroy the power of the remembrance of God… —Abba Macarius the Great On Joy Abba Syncletica said, “In the beginning there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering [...]

The Message of the Icon

Here, a 19th century painting of Christ walking with the two disciples on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, by Swiss painter Robert Zünd (1827-1909) The Road to Emmaus Whatever purpose the two disciples had in journeying to Emmaus, certainly their original plans were entirely disrupted by the company of the mysterious teacher who [...]

Letter #12: The Common Declaration

February 12, 2016, Friday -- Today's Common Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill in Cuba The Middle East -- "We call upon the international community to act urgently in order to prevent the further expulsion of Christians from the Middle East."—Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, Common statement, issued today in Cuba, just a few minutes [...]