From May 12 to 14, the Vatican is celebrating the Jubilee of the Eastern Catholic Churches, bringing together the faithful and hierarchy of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches for a rich program of Divine Liturgies and prayers in their respective rites.
Diverse Liturgical Celebrations
On May 12, the Jubilee began with a Divine Liturgy in the Ethiopian rite at 8:30 a.m. in Saint Peter’s Basilica, led by the Churches of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Later at 1:00 p.m., the Armenian Catholic Church celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Armenian rite at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The celebration was followed at 3:00 p.m. by a Coptic rite liturgy, also held at Saint Mary Major.
May 13 features more liturgical diversity. At 1:00 p.m., a Divine Liturgy in the East Syriac rite will be celebrated in Saint Peter’s Basilica, using the ancient Anaphora of Addai and Mari. This will be led by the Chaldean Catholic Church and the Syro-Malabar Church.
At 6:45 p.m., Vespers will be prayed at Saint Mary Major, organized by the Syriac Catholic Church, Maronite Church, and Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
The day will conclude with the Akathist Hymn, a Byzantine liturgical chant honoring the Mother of God, at 9:00 p.m. on the forecourt of Saint Mary Major.
Papal Audience and Final Liturgy
The Jubilee concludes on May 14 with a special audience with Pope Leo XIV at 10:00 a.m. in the Paul VI Hall. The closing event will be a Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine rite at 2:00 p.m. in Saint Peter’s Basilica, celebrated by the Greek Melkite Catholic Church, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Romanian Greek Catholic Church, and other Byzantine rite communities.
About the Eastern Catholic Churches
The Eastern Catholic Churches are 23 self-governing churches in full communion with the Pope. While united in faith and doctrine with the Roman Catholic Church, they maintain their liturgical rites, theological traditions, and ecclesiastical disciplines rooted in Eastern Christianity.
These churches span Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India, and parts of Africa, with vibrant diaspora communities worldwide.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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