The leader of the Melkite Greek Catholics of Galilee has proposed the establishment of a new "branch" of the Neocatechumenal Way to work specifically in the Eastern-rite Church.

In a recent letter sent to Father Rino Rossi, director of Domus Galilaeae -- a project of the Neocatechumenal Way -- Archbishop Elias Chacour recognized that this ecclesial reality is bearing "excellent fruits" in its evangelizing work within the Melkite Church.

Zenit, The World Seen from Rome, June 5, 2007

The historic Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has fallen into a crisis again.

The Jordanian announced last Sunday, May 13, that it has withdrawn its recognition Patriarch Theofilos III, alleging he has failed to act on a pledge to annul an unsanctioned church property sale to Israel.

By Theodore Kalmoukos, Special to The National Herald, May 18, 2007

Christian Arabs in the Middle East hear the Islamic call to prayer five times a day. The Loud speakers make it clear that Allah is great (الله ٲكبر) and then invite the worshipers to prayer. Allah (الله) is the Arabic word for God. Just like the first century Christians used the Greek word theos (θεος) to refer to the God of Christianity, Arab Christians use the word Allah to refer to the triune God. Put differently, both Christians and Muslims use the label Allah to denote the Supreme Being who declared His will through His messengers. Interestingly, the last Old Testament book, Malachi, is sympathetic to asserting the greatness of Allah!

By Dr. Yohanna Katanacho

Herod's tomb has been discovered near Jerusalem, Hebrew University's Ehud Netzer will announce today. The discovery of the grave at Herodium solves one of the great mysteries of archaeology in the Land of Israel.

The Gospel of Matthew says Herod ordered the 'Massacre of the Innocents', the killing of all young male children in Jesus's birthplace of Bethlehem, out of fear he would lose his throne to a new "king of the Jews", whose birth had been related to him by the Magi.

According to Matthew, Joseph and Mary fled with baby Jesus to Egypt to escape the slaughter.

Amiram Barkat, Haaretz, May 8, 2007

Historic St George's Anglican Cathedral in Jerusalem was filled to overflowing on Low Sunday, April 15, as the Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani was installed and welcomed as the 14th Anglican bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

Los Angeles, Massachusetts, New York bishops represent the US-based Episcopal Church

By Jim Rosenthal, April 16, 2007, Episcopal Life online

A library of a Christian association and three Internet cafes were extensively damaged in pre-dawn bomb attacks on Sunday in Gaza City, witnesses and security sources said.

No one was wounded in the attacks, they said.

The blast at the library, property of the Baptist church, blew off the entry doors and caused extensive damage inside, a security source said.

Come and See, and agencies, April 16, 2007

The Nazareth Baptist School hosted this week a special program with emphasis on the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. The program was hosted by the Local Baptist Church - Nazareth. "Come and See" is proud to bring to you some of the songs played during this event.

Special For "Come and See", April 5, 2007

Now we recall Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, while day by day, news of the loss of innocent lives and of assaults on the dignity, security and economic well-being of so many of those of all faiths who live in the land we call holy.

We welcome the recent increase in international efforts to support this search and shall urge that it be sustained and fully resourced.

We shall continue to encourage the faithful of our communities to show solidarity with you, our brothers and sisters, through pilgrimages, exchanges and support for your ministries

Special For Come and See, April 1, 2007

While Jews prepare to celebrate their exodus from Egypt today, former Knesset Member Yossi Sarid writes a provocative article in Haaretz, comparing the struggle of the Jews for freedom from Pharaoh, to the current struggle of the Palestinians for freedom.

"If the leadership of Moses was based on a great vision of saving a nation from its oppressors, the leadership of Pharaoh was based on a petty accounting of how to profit from the enslavement of another nation"

Yossi Sarid, April 2, 2007, Haaretz