“In the East, we have seen his star, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)   Arabic version available here My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the God-Who-Is-With-Us, Most people are generally familiar with the depiction of the nativity of our Lord. There are still some public places that set up a diorama of the stable cave with an assortment of figurines representing the principal individuals in the story. If we were to enquire of even the unchurched, they woul

There are occasions when words simply fail us; when we are not sure what to say or how to say it. The Apostle Paul in his Letter to the Romans writes, “So too the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads on our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.” (Romans 8:26) As we write, th

The Most Reverend Robert Rabbat Melkite Catholic Eparch of Australia, New Zealand and All Oceania, together with all the clergy and religious of the Holy Eparchy, and Khouriyeh Roula Matta Salameh and the Salameh families in Australia and Syria inform you with great sorrow that Reverend Father Fady Salameh has fallen asleep in the Lord on Friday, 31 October 2025. ·      Condolences will be received at St John the Beloved Melkite Catholic Church Hall, 80 Wate

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)   The reports thus far from Damascus reveal a horrific situation at the sacred Antiochian Greek-Orthodox Church of Saint Elias the Prophet. Even by contemporary standards this blasphemous rebellion against the Law of both God and men leaves us astounded. The present situation in Damascus is but one more

Together with the Melkite Catholic Clergy and Faithful of our Holy Eparchy, I join with all people of goodwill throughout the world who have expressed their complete distress at the carnage wrought by individuals at the Antiochian Greek-Orthodox Church of Saint Elias the Prophet in Damascus. In this appalling act we see full well that the perpetrators of this atrocity fear neither God nor men. Of course, we expect the customary, rambling self-justification, however, we say un

Christ is risen! المسيح قام !  Χριστός ἀνέστη!   In his mercy, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Great and Eternal High Priest, has called His Eminence, Robert Cardinal Prevost, to the Throne of Saint Peter in Rome.   His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, now “presides in love over the whole Church.” (St Ignatius the Great, 2nd cent)   We should give heartfelt thanks to the Good Lord who has not left the People of God as orphans but rather has given us a Father and Universal Shepherd.   The v

Christ is Risen! المسيح قام ! Χριστός ἀνέστη!   With profound sorrow, yet unwavering Christian hope, we receive the news of the sleeping...

Arabic version available here The Most Reverend ROBERT RABBAT by the Mercy of God Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparch of Australia, New Zealand...

At St Thomas the Apostle Chaldean Catholic Diocese of Australia and New Zealand in Bossley Park, NSW.     “Hosanna in the Highest!...

From the Red to the White and to the Green Martyrdom   Dear Distinguished and Beloved Guests, Good evening, allow me to begin my brief...

6 March 2025 The fall of the Al-Assad Government in Syria on 8 December 2024 immediately raised questions as to the cohesion of what had...

Arabic version available here The Most Reverend Robert Rabbat, DD by the Mercy of God Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparch of Australia, New...

9 December 2024 “Blessed are the peacemakers…”  (Matthew 5:9) It is with much concern that the Australasian-Middle East Christian...

Your Eminences, Your Graces, Your Excellencies, Reverend Monsignors, Very Reverend Fathers, Reverend Fathers, Religious Fathers and...

During the past two weeks, the situation in Lebanon has been particularly fraught with danger. The great loss of innocent lives, the...

1 September 2024 Beginning of the Liturgical Year A Pastoral Letter For the Ecclesiastical New Year (1 September 2024 -13 August 2025) My...

The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games provides a singular opportunity for the host country to display the best of its culture – that...

Certain events in Sydney whilst geographically at a distance from each other have none the less united all Australians in a common sorrow...

On behalf of the Melkite Catholic Eparchy of Australia, New Zealand, and All Oceania, I express deep concern over the recent Wakeley...

Arabic version available here The Most Reverend ROBERT RABBAT by the Mercy of God Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparch of Australia, New Zealand...

21 March 2024 St James of Catania A Pastoral Message for the Commemoration of the Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem, Palm Sunday, 2024....

2024 - A Milestone Year in the History of the Melkite Greek-Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch “Father, may they all be one just as you are...

Arabic version available here The Most Reverend Robert Rabbat, DD by the Mercy of God Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparch of Australia, New...

A Pastoral message to all the Clergy and the Faithful of the Holy Eparchy. The Apostolic Journey of His Grace Archbishop Georges Bacouni,...