Historic altar at St. Mark’s monastery in Jerusalem unveiled for first time in 350 years January 13, 2026By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News The historic altar of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. Mark in Jerusalem has been unveiled for the first time in nearly 350 years, following an extensive restoration.
Israel bans dozens of aid groups from Gaza, including Caritas, drawing condemnation January 2, 2026By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Disaster Relief, News, World News Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Jerusalem are among the 37 international aid organizations that Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs has banned from operating in Gaza by March 1.
Cardinal Pizzaballa: Gaza’s Christians long to rebuild life after two years of war December 22, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News People have a deep desire to return to their lives despite the dire and complex situation in Gaza following two years of war, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, said at an annual Christmas press conference on Dec. 22.
Bethlehem celebrates first Christmas tree lighting since war as pilgrims slowly return December 8, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Bethlehem rejoiced with the festive celebration of lighting of a 65-feet Christmas tree at the edge of Manger Square Dec. 6 — for the first time since December 2022 and the start of Israel-Hamas war 10 months later.
Amid post-war healing, Catholic youth in Israel find unity through faith October 20, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The retreat, organized by the St. James vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics and the Latin patriarchate’s general secretariat for the youth in Galilee in collaboration with the Youth Pastoral Office of the Latin Patriarchate, brought together about 200 young people from the Arabic and Hebrew-speaking Catholic communities.
Holy Land patriarch welcomes announcement of initial peace deal ‘with joy’ as ‘first step’ October 9, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem welcomed “with joy” the announcement of an initial agreement between Hamas and Israel in an Oct. 9 statement, but also stressed the “absolute urgency” for the “immediate” and “unconditional” entry of humanitarian relief and sufficient aid into Gaza.
Cardinal Pizzaballa welcomes ceasefire talks as first step, urges prayer, perseverance October 6, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News As indirect ceasefire talks began in Egypt between Israel and Hamas Oct. 6 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt — aimed at finalizing a ceasefire deal based on a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump — the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem lauded it as an “important and long-awaited first step.”
After Oct. 7 attack, Jewish man who chose forgiveness over revenge works for peace October 6, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News For Maoz Inon, the past two years have been a personal journey from profound loss and anger toward the Israeli government to embracing “radical forgiveness” and working for lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace through InterAct — the NGO he co-founded with Palestinian partners Aziz Abu Sarah and Hamze Awawde.
Oldest organ in Christendom sounded for first time in 800 years, leaving organist speechless September 15, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News After 800 years of silence, the pipes from the oldest organ in Christendom played again, filling the reception hall of Jerusalem’s Franciscan Monastery of St. Saviour with the unique sound of the 11th-century liturgical chant, Benedicamus Domino Flos Filius.
Cardinal: When all hope seems to disappear in Holy Land, hope of Christ’s resurrection remains August 20, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, France, said his visit to the Holy Land was intended as a gesture of solidarity with the local Christian community and a demonstration of support for “all the friends of peace.”
IDF says Gaza Holy Family Parish hit was errant mortar round that veered off course July 23, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News An Israel Defense Forces investigation concluded that the strike on the Holy Family Parish compound on July 17 was the result of an accidental mortar round that veered off course during “operational activity” by IDF troops in the area of Gaza City, the IDF said in a July 23 statement.
Christ is not absent from Gaza, but crucified in the wounded, patriarchs say after visit July 22, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Amid the destruction witnessed during their July 18–20 pastoral visit to Gaza, following the Israeli shelling of the Holy Family Parish church compound that killed three people and injured 10, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III said they found something more enduring — “the dignity of the human spirit.”
