Beirut explosion: Video of church altar’s survival brings hope

St Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in Achrafieh is less than a kilometre away from where the Beirut explosion took place.

Father Youil Nassif rushed to the church to check for damage, finding the nave completely ruined. But the sacred altar space, protected by the “iconostasis” (wall of icons), was almost unscathed – including an oil lamp that had remained lit throughout the blast. VIDEO

THE SMOKE OF THE ANTICHRIST

THE SMOKE OF THE ANTICHRIST
by Rt. Rev. J. Vida Elmer

About the Author

Rev. Father J. Vida Elmer was born in Hungary in 1912. He was ordained for the Catholic priesthood in 1936. After his ordination, he served as religion-teacher in one of the public schools in the city of SZEGED; then, in different county parishes in Hungary as assistant pastor and administrator. Continue reading

In Biden’s Cabinet, Catholics and Jews dominate

In terms of their religious backgrounds, the Cabinet nominees are also diverse. Like the president-elect, the majority — at least eight — are Catholic.  But five Jews have also been nominated, two Black Baptists and, if the surgeon general is included (often not), two Hindus. (A handful of Cabinet picks do not appear to identify with any religion.) MORE