News

TURIN, Italy, JAN. 23, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Ten young priests in Baghdad are being offered economic and moral support by a Turin-based campaign, "I Have a New Friend."

The five-year-old program, designed by Fathers Fredo Olivero and Douglas Dawood, acknowledges the difficult situation of Iraqi Christians. It is sponsored by the Turin Archdiocese's office of ministry to migrants.

Father Olivero, director of that office, said recent attacks on Christian places of worship, "although carefully planned so that there were no deaths, are testimonies of how the life of Iraqi Christians is still very difficult and full of dangers."

The "I Have a New Friend -- a Chaldean Iraqi Priest" program has given the 10 sponsored priests economic support and also, the sponsors said, an "important moral support as testimony of a pledge that goes beyond the emergency situation."

More information about the project can be obtained by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ZE08012308 - 2008-01-23

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)