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CWN - The patriarchate of the Chaldean Catholic Church—an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See—has issued a statement assuring the Iraqi army and its allies of prayers as they seek to liberate Mosul.

“We would like to greet proudly the Iraqi courageous army, the federal police, the Peshmerga and the Popular Mobilization and coalition forces sharing in the liberation of Mosul and the towns of the Nineveh area,” he said. “We affirm our support to them in this noble and difficult task and offer our daily prayers to Almighty Lord to protect them.”

The patriarchate added that Iraqis wish for “a homeland for all [Iraq’s] citizens of different creeds and nationalities, and a stable country in which relations are based on mutual respect, acceptance of differences and the rejection of extremism.”

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Teachings of Christ

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10 ESV)

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Christ is Born!

Your Nativity, O Christ our God, * has dawned upon the world the light of knowledge. * for through it, those who served the stars * were taught by a star to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness * and to know You, the Dawn from on high. * Glory to You, O Lord! (Troparion, Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, * and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One. * Angels and shepherds sing His glory; * Wise Men journey with a star * for there is born for us an infant Child, the God Who is before all ages. (Kontakion, Tone 3)

Random Proverb

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 ESV)

Pray Without Ceasing

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Wisdom from the Church Fathers

Long ago, the wily one cast his weapon and wounded Adam and killed him; Indeed, he completely destroyed the weak man. But now, even if he struck the bodies of the noble men, he did not destroy their spirits. He persuaded the first-created man to fall by words, but not even by deeds, the noble ones. Bewitching the former, he made promises; he made offers to the latter: For Adam, the making of a god; for the martyrs, honor. He offers what he does not have; he suggests bestowing things not in his authority. Therefore, saints, having shattered his scheme, You gained crowns. 

Kontakia of Romanos, On the Forty Martyrs of Sebasteia I.