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News18
03-07-2025
- General
- News18
St Thomas Day 2025: History, Tradition And Yeshu Bhakti Divas Observance In India
Last Updated: St Thomas Day 2025: St Thomas Day was originally celebrated on December 21 as it was traditionally considered the date of his death. St Thomas Day 2025: St Thomas Day is observed globally on July 3. The celebration honours Saint Thomas, who was believed to be one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. The missionary is regarded as the patron saint of India. St Thomas Day was originally celebrated on December 21 as it was traditionally considered the date of his death. However, in 1969, the Roman Catholic Church moved the observance to July 3. St Thomas Day 2025: History It is said that St Thomas had arrived in India in 52 AD. He is credited with propagating the gospel of Jesus as far as the Indian subcontinent. Even though the date of the special day commemorating his life and legacy was changed in the latter half of the 20th century, most Anglicans stuck with the original date of the observance. The Eastern Orthodox Church, on the other hand, observes the occasion on October 6. St Thomas Day 2025: Significance St Thomas was allegedly stabbed to death at the Parangimalai hillock in present-day Chennai in AD 72. The site is now known as Saint Thomas Mount. It is believed that St Thomas's initial skepticism about the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the reason why he was given the nickname 'Doubting Thomas". He supposedly landed on the coastline of Kerala, at a location in present-day Thrissur district, when he reached India. Various religious texts reckon that Saint Thomas laid the foundation of Christianity in India and evangelised the populace of Malabar Coast. St Thomas Day 2025: Traditions Legend has it that St Thomas distributed among the poor the money that he was allotted when he was commissioned by an Indian king to construct a palace. In line with this particular tale, several customs associated with St Thomas Day seek to encourage charity. Special masses and prayer services are also hosted to mark the occasion. Regions with notable presence of Syrian Christians also witness special processions on St Thomas Day. Yeshu Bhakti Divas Observance In India Indian Christians celebrate Yeshu Bhakti Divas, also known as Indian Christian, on July 3. It is a relatively new observance. Aligned with St Thomas Day, Yeshu Bhakti Divas is meant as an annual occasion for Indian Christians to celebrate the 'person and message' of Jesus Christ. About the Author Bhaswati Sengupta First Published: July 03, 2025, 06:03 IST
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Pope Leo tells Turkish first lady he might visit Turkey in November, presidency says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox ISTANBUL and VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo told Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan that he aims to visit Turkey at the end of November, according to a readout of their meeting at the Vatican on Wednesday by the Turkish presidency. The pope, who held an official meeting with the wife of President Tayyip Erdogan at the Vatican's apostolic palace, told her that officials from Ankara and Vatican were working on the details of the visit, the presidency said in a statement. The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the first lady's statement. Leo, elected on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis, has not yet announced any foreign trips. Francis had been planning a trip to Turkey before his death to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of an early Church council with Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Leo has been widely expected to take the trip in Francis' stead. Bartholomew previously told an Italian television station that he and Leo discussed the possibility of the new pope travelling to Turkey in late November. REUTERS
Fox News
21-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
Archaeologists discover 'sensational' artifacts under historic monastery's floor
Archaeologists recently uncovered "sensational" artifacts beneath a historic monastery in Poland — offering a glimpse into monastic life in the 18th century. The discovery was found near the Basilica of the Birth of the Virgin Mary in Chełm, Poland, roughly 40 miles east of Lublin. The medieval church was founded in the 13th century. Throughout its long history, the church has been affiliated with the Eastern Orthodox Church as well as the Ruthenian Uniate Church. It is currently Roman Catholic. Historians excavated a 17th-century Basilian monastery next to the church. The monastery, which once housed Greek Catholic monks who followed the rule of St. Basil, was built around 400 years after the church was established. In a statement, officials from the Lublin Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments (LWKZ) said the recent discovery was "like no other." "This year's research season has yielded a sensational discovery," said the statement, which was translated from Polish to English. "After dismantling the wooden floors on the upper level of the former Basilian monastery, hundreds of fragments of very rare heraldic tiles were found in the fill." Officials wrote that the tiles were glazed "in green and brown, and were made to order with specific symbolism, a bishop's coat of arms and titles." "Currently, work is ongoing to inventory, piece together and study these extraordinary artifacts," the government agency noted. Historians estimate the tiles were crafted between 1711 and 1730. They were specifically designed to fit a stove, as indicated by their distinctive shape and size. "One of the reconstructed tiles had a faceplate shaped similarly to a square, measuring 25.8 cm x 25 cm x 9.5 cm (height of the chamber), while another measured 24.5 cm (length of one side) x 7.8 cm (height of the chamber)," the translated post added. The tiles' faceplates also bore distinct initials, including those of Józef Lewicki. He served as the monastery's superior before becoming bishop of the Chełm Eparchy in 1711. This remarkable find adds to a series of intriguing archaeological discoveries in Poland this year. In March, a pair of pedestrians stumbled across an ancient deadly weapon on the coast of the Baltic Sea. In the Polish city of Krakow, excavators at Wawel Royal Castle recently found a remarkable ring that dates back over 500 years.
Herald Malaysia
06-06-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
The living legacy of Laudato Si'
Despite the noisy splattering of news headlines on the surface, Laudato Si' set in motion a powerful undercurrent that is sweeping through the ocean. Or, rather, it dramatically accelerated an undercurrent that was already underway. Jun 06, 2025 Pope Francis plants a tree in the Vatican Gardens October 4, 2019. (Laudato Si'Movement) By Tomás InsuaDespite the noisy splattering of news headlines on the surface, Laudato Si' set in motion a powerful undercurrent that is sweeping through the ocean. Or, rather, it dramatically accelerated an undercurrent that was already underway. • The birth of the global Laudato Si'Movement, with its nearly 20,000 grassroots leaders trained as Laudato Si' animators, and of ecclesial networks regionally. • Countless projects in parishes and local communities to install renewable energy, divest from fossil fuels, and other tangible steps, supported by the Vatican's Laudato Si' Action Platform. • Beautiful artistic interpretations of the encyclical, such as the film 'The Letter: A Message for Our Earth' by an Oscarwinning company. • Academic ventures such as the joint diploma in integral ecology by pontifical universities in Rome or the Laudato Si' Research Institute at Oxford University in England. • The ASSISI Terra Laudato Si' initiative in the Franciscan sanctuaries of Assisi, Italy. The list goes on and on. Moreover, Francis coupled the Laudato Si' release with an equally important sister. Just a few weeks after publishing the encyclical, he instituted the World Day of Prayer for Creation on Sept 1 — also known as Creation Day or the Feast of Creation — in response to an invitation of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Through annual statements marking that special day, Francis continued to motivate the church to bring Laudato Si' to life in collaboration with fellow Christian churches, also as part of the larger Season of Creation celebrations throughout September. Thousands of parishes and local communities celebrate it every year. The most important legacy of Laudato Si' will be the decisive attention it brought to the spiritual and moral roots of these interconnected crises. Given the sheer scale of this mess, it is imperative to address those root causes. The theology and spirituality of Laudato Si' are beginning to permeate the ethos of the Catholic Church. That is the powerful undercurrent in the ocean. Slowly but steadily, creation is gaining more attention in Christian spirituality, theology, liturgy and catechesis, with countless books and initiatives underway. Creation Day on Sept. 1, in particular, stands out for its potential to become a liturgical feast in many Christian churches, grounded in ancient and rich symbolism in the Eastern Church. Tomás Insua, --NCR
Euronews
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Ukraine says it has hit more than 40 Russian strategic bombers
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I led a liturgy in Istanbul on Sunday, marking the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity's first ecumenical council. The first Council of Nicaea (located in modern-day Turkey, in the ciy of İznik) took place in 325 AD and the date remains important to Orthodox-Catholic relations. It saw Roman Emperor Constantine I bring together some 300 bishops, according to the Catholic Almanac. Among the outcomes was the Nicene Creed, a profession of faith that is still recited by Christians today and required of those undertaking important functions within the Orthodox, as well as the Catholic and Lutheran Churches. As Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I is "primus inter pares" (first among equals) among the patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Church and is its spiritual leader. Bartholomew, who is known for his ecumenical as well as humanitarian and ecological efforts, had met with Pope Leo XIV earlier this week for the first time. An operation by Ukraine's Security Service on Sunday hit 41 strategic bombers that were lined up at four airfields inside Russia. An official with the security service (SBU) said: 'enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia', adding that Ukraine is conducting 'a large scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.' The operation, dubbed "Spiderweb" (Pavutyna), targeted four airfields: Dyagilevo in Riazan region, Ivanovo in Ivanovo region, Belaya air base in Russia's Irkutsk region, which is located in south-eastern Siberia over 4,000km east of the frontline, and Olenya air base in Russia's Murmansk region, around 2,000km away from Ukraine's border. The operation included the clandestine smuggling of drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them and finally launching them remotely. In March, Ukraine announced it had developed a new type of drone that can reach a range of up to 3,000 kilometres, but gave no details about its type or the size of its warhead. Recent satellite images show various Russian strategic bombers at the four bases that were allegedly hit during the operation, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160 and A-50. Tu-95, Tu-22 and Tu-160 are Russian heavy bombers regularly used by Moscow to launch missiles at Ukraine. The Tu-22M3 is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles, travelling at a speed of 4,000 km/h, exceeding Mach 4. Tu-95 - the oldest among them - it is a Soviet-era plane, originally used to carry nuclear bombs but since modified to launch cruise missiles. A-50 is radar detection aircraft, which can detect air defense systems, guided missiles, and coordinate targets for Russian fighter jets. Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier said he was meeting with the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the General Staff and SBU. "We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state, and our people," Zelenskyy said, adding that would be outlining "tasks for the near term" and "define our positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday." Ukrainian and Russian officials are schedule to meet in Istanbul on Monday 2 June for the second round of talks between the two sides. Zelenskyy said Kyiv's utmost priority is unconditional ceasefire, followed by the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children that were forcefully deported by Russia. Violence has struck again on the Costa del Sol. Two men died on Saturday night in the seaside town of Fuengirola, a popular tourist destination, after being shot by several hooded individuals who got out of a vehicle and opened fire on a group of people in a beachfront bar. The incident took place near number 106 of the Rey de España promenade, close to the Martín Playa beach bar. Police sources suggest that the attack could be related to a possible settling of scores linked to drug trafficking, although other lines of investigation have not been ruled out, according to local newspaper 'Málaga Hoy'. This new episode adds to a worrying string of violent incidents on the Costa del Sol so far this year. Although the authorities have pointed out that there is no direct connection between the incidents, the frequency of shootings and murders in the area has caused alarm among locals and visitors alike. In early May, three men were arrested following the sixth shooting in Malaga in just three weeks. Just a few days later, another shooting occurred in the province, bringing the total to seven shootings in just 45 days.
