On Monday 10th January, the Franciscans of the Custody went to the different Orthodox Patriarchates to offer their Christmas and New Year greetings to the Church leaders.
The first visit was to the Greek Orthodox where the Franciscans were followed by the leaders of all the Orthodox Churches, Catholic and Protestant. The Catholic delegation was accompanied by the bishops and auditors of the Coordination for the Holy Land.
When the prelates reached their respective Patriarchates, the Franciscans resumed their visits. The “kawas” opened the way to go to the Copts, then the Syriacs and lastly, the Ethiopians. After 20th January, it will be the turn of the Armenians, but they have not celebrated Christmas yet.
On this day of greetings, the attacks in Baghdad and Alexandria were once again remembered. These events have profoundly marked the Christians of the Middle East and the greetings this year certainly highlighted solidarity and greater compassion between the Churches in the region, now that the number of Christians in the Middle East continues to become smaller and smaller. “This massacre,” said the Coptic Archbishop, “is similar to that of the Holy Innocents. May the Lord accept this Christmas sacrifice!”
The Coptic, Syriac and Ethiopian Churches particularly thanked the Franciscans for their visit, considering it an honour and a joy. And this joy, which has its origin in the birth of the Child Jesus, has been able to have the better of the dramas experienced and continues to nurture hopes for a new year.