In this week’s news from the Eastern Churches, produced in collaboration with L’Œuvre d’Orient: Pope Leo meets with the Armenian Catholicos, Eastern Christians celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and Ethiopians celebrate Enkutatash.
In this week’s news from the Orient:
Meeting Between Karekin II and Pope Leo XIV
On Tuesday, September 16, Catholicos Karekin II, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, met with Pope Leo XIV. He praised the fraternal spirit that exists between the two Churches and expressed his hope for future collaboration. Catholicos Karekin also emphasized the urgent need to protect the spiritual and cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh and called for the release of Armenian prisoners still held in Azerbaijan. His first official visit to Rome took place in November 2000, shortly after his election, when he was received by Pope St John Paul II.
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
On September 14, Eastern Christians celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. A central symbol of the Christian faith, the Cross is revered as the sign of Christ’s victory over death. The deeply spiritual day is a reminder that the Cross is both a refuge and a source of strength for believers. As Saint Odilo once said: “O Cross, invincible weapon, unassailable banner, you drive away evil and scatter darkness.”
Enkutatash – Ethiopian New Year
On the 11th September, Ethiopia marked Enkutatash, the New Year celebration that signals the end of the rainy season and commemorates both the legendary visit of the Queen of Sheba to Jerusalem and the feast of Saint John. A time for family and community, the day is marked with gift-giving, new clothes for children, and visits to loved ones.. Though rooted in Christian tradition, the national holiday brings together Ethiopians of all faiths—Christians, Muslims, and Rastafarians alike.
