News

Mosul, Mar. 7, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A week after Archbishop Paulos Faraj Raho was kidnapped in Mosul, Iraqi Catholics are increasingly fearful for the prelate's life.

The bishop's kidnappers have repeated their ransom demands, the AsiaNews service reports. But they have not allowed Church officials to speak directly with the Chaldean Catholic archbishop.

The physical condition of Archbishop Raho remains unknown. Three companions-- his driver and two bodyguards-- were shot and killed by the gunmen who abducted the prelate after he left Mosul's Holy Spirit cathedral on Friday, February 29, after leading the Stations of the Cross. Archbishop Raho suffers from a heart condition, for which he takes daily medication.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki has ordered an all-out effort to find the archbishop's kidnappers. But to date the search by the Iraqi military has not produced results.

Church officials in Iraq have confirmed that the kidnappers submitted a ransom demand that, in addition to a large financial consideration, included political conditions that "complicate the case" of securing his release.

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)