On paper this sounds like a great concept. Six young people from different religious backgrounds undergo a two-week immersion/swap with one of the other participants. They live in that person's home, adopt their style of cultural dress, interact with their family and peers and explore their religious practices.
Pope Francis welcomes Coptic pope to mark an important anniversary
Thursday, 16 May 2013 11:58
For the First Time in More than 50 Years, Mass Celebrated at Shanghai's Orthodox Cathedral
Thursday, 16 May 2013 10:29
Moscow (AsiaNews) - Hundreds of worshippers attended today's divine liturgy officiated by Kirill, the patriarch of Moscow, in Shanghai's Mother of God Surety of Sinners Orthodox Cathedral. It was the first religious service in the church for over 50 years.
"It is remarkable that the first service" should "take place on Easter days," the patriarch said as his visit to China comes to an end, the first by a Russian religious leader.
Papal Office official press release concerning meeting of Pope Tawadros II with Pope Francis
Monday, 13 May 2013 11:05
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, Meets With His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church
For Immediate Release
New York City, NY (May 9, 2013) - His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark and leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, has met with His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, earlier today in Vatican City. This was the first meeting of the two recently elected Church leaders and only the second Papal gathering in Rome in 1500 years. The last visit of a Coptic Pope to the Vatican occurred on May 10, 1973 when His Holiness Pope Shenouda III met with His Holiness Pope Paul VI (both departed) and signed an important Christological Declaration with the ambition to initiate ecumenical dialogue between the two Churches.
Pope Tawadros II and Pope Francis are scheduled to hold a shared prayer on Friday, May 10, 2013 followed by a reception with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and other dicasteries of the Roman Curia. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II will also visit the tombs of the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul; and will devote the remainder of his visit to shepherd the Coptic Community in Rome.
This historical meeting brings with it the hope to strengthen ecumenical dialogue and the promotion of unity amongst Christians not only in Rome and Cairo, but worldwide. We pray for peace for our holy, universal and Apostolic Churches, for the world, and for grace, health, wisdom and security for His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and His Holiness Pope Francis.
Request for further information and inquiries should be directed to:
Father Abraham Azmy
Office of His Holiness
Director of Database Operations and US International Media Relations
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
< br /> 001 (203) 887-8865
Syrian priest: Let us pray for the release of kidnapped prelates and for reconciliation in Syria
Friday, 10 May 2013 10:34
"Following the example of Mgrs Yohanna Ibrahim and Yazigi Paul and other kidnapped priests, Syria's Christians want to continue the daily dialogue with Muslims, live with them, and not emigrate because of the war and the spread of Islamic extremism," Fr. Mtanios Haddad BS told AsiaNews. According to the patriarchal apocrisarius to Gregory III Laham, head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, "Syrian Christians are not a church or a minority to defend, but are a constitutive element of the Syrian people, and do not need the protection of the United States or Europe."
Tomorrow evening, Rome's Greek Melkite community will hold a solemn Mass for the release of Mgrs Yohanna Ibrahim and Paul Yazigi, the two orthodox bishops kidnapped on 22 April.
