Newsfeed
Former Byzantine churches are being converted to mosques – this threatens Istanbul’s cosmopolitan identity
Author: Stephen Khan
Publication Date: 15/9/2020
Source: The Conversation
Two former Byzantine churches of Istanbul, the famed Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, which served as museums for decades, have been converted to mosques in the space of a month. This has raised concerns. Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox community knows that more is at stake than these two monuments.
Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox, the Rum Polites, form the greater part of the flock of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the traditional centre of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Having been numerous and influential during Byzantine and Ottoman eras, they now constitute a small minority of merely 2,000. The traumatic experiences they have suffered, including pogroms and expulsions, have caused them to become globally dispersed. But the Rum Polites continue to retain a strong connection to Istanbul and its Byzantine heritage, made palpable by architectural landmarks like Hagia Sophia and Chora.
Rescuing Iraqi Christians
Author: David L. Phillips
Publication Date: 30/9/2020
Source: Chaldean News
There are at least 150,000 Chaldean-Americans living in Michigan with extended family in the Nineveh Plains of northern Iraq and East Syria. Chaldean-Americans represent an important constituency. However, the Trump administration has failed to address their concerns. Self-government, security, and economic development are critical to their survival.
The Ecumenical Patriarch meets with the Armenian Patriarch in Turkey
Publication Date: 1/10/2020
Source: Orthodox Times
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had a meeting in Phanar with the Patriarch of the Armenians in Turkey, Sahag Maşalyan.
It is worth noting that the meeting of the two religious leaders took place at a critical time for the Armenian community, as tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan resurfaced in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is worth noting that two days ago at the Armenian Patriarchate in Constantinople, Turks and Azeris staged a demonstration.
Eight Iraqi churches on National Postal Service postage stamps
Publication Date: 30/9/2020
Source: Agenzia Fides
The Iraqi Postal Service has issued, for the first time, a series of stamps dedicated to celebrating the Country's churches. The series includes eight stamps, depicting historic churches of Iraq, located in various regions of the national territory and belonging to communities of different Christian denominations. The multicolored representations of the different churches are the work of Iraqi artist Saad Ghazi. The administration of the Iraqi Postal Service had a first set of 4,000 copies of the entire philatelic series printed and distributed in post offices.
Orthodox church petitions UN over Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia
Publication Date: 29/9/2020
Source: AP News
The Greek Orthodox Church of the United States said Tuesday it is petitioning United Nations experts to coerce Turkey into protecting Orthodox Christianity’s cultural heritage following the Turkish government’s conversion of Istanbul’s landmark Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said it was pressing U.N. special rapporteurs in the areas of cultural rights, minority rights, freedom of religion and beliefs to hold Turkey accountable “for its deliberate policies to erase the cultural heritage of Orthodox Christians.”
Lebanon’s top Christian cleric patriarch warns of 'multiple dangers' without govt
Publication Date: 27/9/2020
Source: MEO (Middle East Online)
Patriarch Bechara says youth wanted new political class, calls for change echoed on streets of Beirut.
Work begins on rebuilding Al-Tahera Syriac Catholic Church in the old city of Mosul
Publication Date: 12/9/2020
Source: UNESCO
The restoration and rehabilitation of the Al-Tahera Church in the Old City of Mosul is well underway.
In close coordination with local authorities, UNESCO concluded the first phase of activities by clearing the rubble and UXOs from the complex as well as securing the project site for reconstruction.
Iraqi Christian appointed at the top of the National Investment Authority
Publication Date: 16/9/2020
Source: Agenzia Fides
Chaldean Christian Suha Daoud Elias al Najjar is the new President of the Iraqi National Investment Authority, a government body also involved in the management of resources made available by foreign investors for the national economic revival and reconstruction of conflict-devastated areas. The appointment of Suha al Najjar is part of the recent change at the top of government, financial, administrative and military institutions implemented in recent days by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, a reshuffle which also saw the replacement of the Governor of the Iraqi Central Bank and the appointment of the new Mayor of Baghdad.
Coronavirus: Workers find comfort in prayer as churches reopen in industrial areas
Author: Ramola Talwar Badam
Publication Date: 12/9/2020
Source: The National.ae
Abu Dhabi workers living far from home said they are relieved they can return to communal prayer now that non-Muslim places of worship in industrial areas have reopened their doors to the faithful.
St Paul’s Church began services on Monday evening in Mussaffah, a densely populated industrial area of the capital, after months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Troop withdrawal leaves Iraqi Christians with one less safeguard
Author: Katey Hearth
Publication Date: 11/9/2020
Source: Mission Network News
Some 2,200 U.S. troops are leaving Iraq later this month, officials announced Wednesday, leaving 3,000 soldiers behind to support local authorities. It’s the first troop withdrawal from Iraq since 2016.
