News from the Orient - October 30, 2025

In this week's News from the Orient:

Mar Awa III in China 

From the 16th to the 20th October, Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, made a historic visit to Hong Kong. He was invited by the Anglican Church of Hong Kong and Macao on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Jingjiao Stele in Xi’an, which testifies to the presence of the Church of the East in China as early as the 7th century. Accompanied by a delegation of bishops, Mar Awa took part in a forum dedicated to the history of Eastern Christianity in China, which brought together scholars and religious leaders.

Baptism in Gaza

On October 26, baby Marco Nader Habshi was baptized in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza. Father Gabriel Romanelli made the announcement on his Instagram account. This was the first baptism celebrated in the parish since the announcement of the ceasefire in the enclave — a sign of hope for the small Christian community of Gaza, which has lived at the heart of the conflict over the past two years.

New home for young girls in Gyumri 

The Catholic Sisters of the Immaculate Conception inaugurated a new home for young girls in Gyumri, Armenia this week. The building will soon welcome students from different regions of the country. It is the second home of this kind opened by the congregation, after one in Yerevan. As the only Armenian Catholic congregation, the Sisters will continue their mission of educational and spiritual support for young people.