Fasts & Feasts
February
2 - Meeting of Our Lord with Simeon & Anna
5 - Sunday of the Prodigal Son
11 - All Souls Saturday
12 - Meatfare Sunday
19 - Cheesefare Sunday
20 - Beginning of the Holy Forty Days Fast
26 - Sunday of Orthodoxy
Communiqué of the Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy in Syria
Wednesday, 04 January 2012 18:19
(14 December, 2011) - The Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy in Syria met in regular session from 12 to 14 December, 2011 at the Syriac Catholic Archbishopric of Damascus, and was chaired by H.B. Gregorios III, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch, in the presence of H.B. Mar Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and Archbishop Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria and the Catholic bishops of Syria.
The very reverend Fathers examined the documents on the agenda for the day and focused particularly on those presented by the ad hoc commission on Holy Scripture, the welfare committee (Caritas-Syria), the family and youth, and adopted the relevant decisions, recommendations and guidance.
Similarly, the very reverend Fathers examined the recommendations concerning the Eastern Catholic Churches, published by the Synod for the Middle East, held in Rome last October, and focused on those relating to inter-Church co-operation, Christian unity, Christian witness and Muslim-Christian dialogue.
The Assembly also studied the theme of “The New Evangelization,” which will be the subject of the Synod to be held in Rome in 2012.
V. C.
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Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephreim
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust of power and idle chatter.
Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humility, patience and love.
Yes, O Lord and King, grant that I may be aware of my sins and not judge my brother. Blessed are You to the ages of ages. Amen.
Wisdom from the Church Fathers
| Our distresses are notorious, even though we leave them untold, for now their sound has gone out into all the world. The doctrines of the Fathers are despised; apostolic traditions are set at nought; the devices of innovators are in vogue in the Churches; now men are rather contrivers of cunning systems than theologians; the wisdom of this world wins the highest prizes and has rejected the glory of the cross. Shepherds are banished, and in their places are introduced grievous wolves hurrying the flock of Christ. Houses of prayer have none to assemble in them; desert places are full of lamenting crowds. The elders lament when they compare the present with the past. The younger are yet more to be compassionated, for they do not know of what they have been deprived. All this is enough to stir the pity of men who have learnt the love of Christ; but, compared with the actual state of things, words fall very far short.... Saint Basil the Great (Letter 90) |