News

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 25, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI affirmed that elevating Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly, archbishop of Baghdad, to the status of cardinal was a sign of the Holy Father's solidarity with the suffering people of Iraq.

In the Pope's homily at Saturday's consistory, in which he elevated 23 men to the College of Cardinals, the Pontiff gave particular mention of the war-torn nation.

Speaking to the new cardinals, Benedict XVI said: "I now think with affection of the communities entrusted to your care and, in a special way, of those that are most tried by suffering, by challenges and difficulties of different sorts.

"Among these, how can I not turn my gaze with apprehension and affection, in this moment of joy, to the dear Christian communities of Iraq? These brothers and sisters of ours in the faith are experiencing in their own flesh the dramatic consequences of a long conflict, and are living in an ever more fragile and delicate political situation.

"Calling the patriarch of the Chaldean Church to enter into the College of Cardinals, I intended to express in a concrete way my spiritual nearness and my affection for those populations."

The Pope assured that with his brother bishops, he reaffirmed "the solidarity of the whole Church with the Christians of that beloved land." He expressed his prayer "to implore from the merciful God, for all peoples involved, the longed for coming of reconciliation and peace."

Cardinal Delly, of Babylon of the Chaldeans, spoke to L'Osservatore Romano about the Holy Father's words. "It has been an honor, not only for me, but for the whole country, for all Iraqis without distinction," the 80-year-old prelate said. "The Lord has given us the gift of intelligence to speak one to another, to dialogue, and while there is no peace, there is no security."

ZE07112505 - 2007-11-25

Catholic World News

Forum 18 News

04 December 2022

Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (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 whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (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.

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)