Armenian Genocide Day

Yesterday the Armenians remembered Genocide Day - when the Ottomans are accused of killing millions of Armenians 100 years ago. There was an exhibition in the Armenian Quarter of the Old City and today the Armenian Orthodox Church will celebrate a memorial service that begins in their cathedral and ends in the cemetary. In the genocide several Franciscan missionaries in Armenia were also killed - most famously St. Salvatore Lilli. He was bayonated together with all his parishioners. And so persecution against christians continue.

Today local christians pray for the persecuted christians in Iraq as a sign of solidiarity. The Mass will take place in the village of Ibilin. Hope you'll spend some time to pray with us too.

The temperature today fell drastically. Freezing cold. This weather report is brought to you courtesy of Angela Lee who follows the blog for weather forecasts.

And Jaffa Gate has finally opened after a much needed facelift. The ancient city gate had stones falling off dangerously and reconstruction took place several months, closing off the city gate. Of course the workers took advantage to dig up the ground as well and found a major Byzantine side road running directly below the Square that is within Jaffa Gate.