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This week’s News from the Orient:

Discovery of a Byzantine Church in the Negev

The remains of a 1,500-year-old Byzantine church have been uncovered during archaeological excavations in the Negev desert, in southern Israel.

Conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, the excavations have also led to a second discovery: the remains of ships carved into the church walls.

The engravings were made by pilgrims visiting the holy sites to tell the story of their arrival.

These discoveries offer a glimpse into the world of Christian pilgrims who traveled to the Holy Land 15 centuries ago.

The Christian presence in the Negev continued until the 8th century, at which point mosques began to be constructed.

Armenia recognizes State of Palestine

On Friday, June 21, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the recognition of the State of Palestine.

While this decision was applauded by Türkiye, it also affects relations with Israel, which have been strained since 2020.

Armenia criticizes the Israeli state for its arms sales to Azerbaijan, which reportedly played a major role in the September 2023 offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted strongly to Armenia’s decision, summoning the Armenian ambassador for a reprimand, without providing further details.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s visit to Lebanon

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, attended a "spiritual summit" at the Maronite Church headquarters in Bkerké, Lebanon, on Tuesday, June 25.

Lebanese representatives of Christian and Muslim communities responded to the call of the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Rai, to emphasize the importance of coexistence and interfaith cohesion.

While many Christian and Sunni religious leaders were present, representatives of the Shia community were absent, highlighting the increasingly strained relations between Maronites and Shias.

News from the Orient will return in September. Have a wonderful summer.