Every second Saturday of the month, Divine Liturgy in English of Sunday - Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family, Duke Street, London W1K 5BQ.
4pm Divine Liturgy. Next: 13th November 2021

Very sadly, the Divine Liturgy in English at 9-30 am on Sundays at the Holy Family Cathedral, Lower Church, have had to be put on hold. Until the practicalities we cannot use the Lower Church space. Hopefully this will be resolved very soon. Please keep checking in here for details.

Owing to public health guidance, masks should still be worn indoors and distance maintained. Sanitisers are available. Holy Communion is distributed in both kinds from the mixed and common chalice, by means of a separate Communion spoon for each individual communicant.

To purchase The Divine Liturgy: an Anthology for Worship (in English), order from the Sheptytsky Institute here, or the St Basil's Bookstore here.

To purchase the Divine Praises, the Divine Office of the Byzantine-Slav rite (in English), order from the Eparchy of Parma here.

The new catechism in English, Christ our Pascha, is available from the Eparchy of the Holy Family and the Society. Please email johnchrysostom@btinternet.com for details.

Saturday 6 November 2010

Christians Fearful After Baghdad Attacks

Zenit interview with Latin Catholic Archbishop Sleiman

 BAGHDAD, Iraq, NOV. 4, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Last Sunday's terrorist attack on the Our Lady of Salvation Syrian Catholic Church, and a subsequent bombing on Tuesday, has left the citizens of Baghdad horrified and wondering what is to come. In a region where Christians have lived in fear for years, the recent attacks have seemingly all but shattered the hope of peace in the region.

"This latest terrorist attack operation will increase fear and help destroy hope," said Latin Rite Archbishop Jean Sleiman of Baghdad. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, a charity that ministers to persecuted and suffering Christians, the archbishop spoke of the fear that has plagued Christians living in the Middle East.

"[The Christians] are deeply afraid. But they are trying to overcome this latest horrible experience," he said. "It needs faith and hope -- they must abandon themselves to the hand of God."

Nine armed men, claiming to belong to the Islamic state of Iraq, a Sunni-militant group that is allied with Al-Qaeda, were responsible for the Oct. 31 attack. Some 52 people were killed in the incident, including two Catholic priests: Father Wasim Sabieh and Father Thaier Saad Abdal. A third priest, Father Raphael Qatin, was wounded and died later at the hospital.

Just two days later, a series of bombings and mortar strikes in Baghdad killed at least 64 and wounded more than 200, Aid to the Church in Need reported.

"Christians in Iraq are still experiencing contrasts: persecution and solidarity; pressure and freedom," said the archbishop. He shared that while Christians living in the northern portion of Iraq have experienced acceptance and the freedom to practice their faith; this is not true for Christians living in other regions. He named Dora and Mosul specifically as areas of danger.

According to the archbishop, prior to the bombings, "fear of the future and of violence, was real, deep and common [to all Christians]." He added that local officials have stated that there may be further attacks. "We are in a very dangerous situation."

Through it all, the archbishop calls for Christians to join together. "Their solidarity is well known," he said. "It is important for Christians in Iraq to be sure that their presence here is not casual, but necessary for the country. They are building peace just by their presence."

In the face of such violence and sadness, Archbishop Sleiman holds fast to his faith: "I pray for hope."

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