News

CWN - Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on November 25. The quest for peace in Syria topped the agenda during their 35-minute conversation.

A brief Vatican statement released after the Monday-afternoon meeting said that the Pope and Putin had spoken “the good existing bilateral relations” between Moscow and the Holy See, the situation facing Catholics in Russia, and the defense of human rights, human life, and the family.

The Vatican indicated that “special attention was paid to the pursuit of peace in the Middle East and the grave situation in Syria.” The Pope and Putin agreed on the urgency of ending the conflict in Syria and supplying humanitarian aid for refugees and others who have suffered during the conflict.

Putin has sought to enhance his standing as a champion of the rights of Christians in the Middle East and a defender of faith in his own country. He made a public display of his respect for Christianity during his meeting with the Pontiff. During a formal exchange of gifts, Putin presented the Pope with icon of Our Lady of Vladimir; when the Pope kissed the icon, Putin did the same. The Russian leader was meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican for the first time. He had previously met twice with Pope John Paul II and once with Pope Benedict XVI.

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)