The Catholic Church in the Arabian Peninsula is preparing to hold a year-long Jubilee celebration to commemorate the 1,500th anniversary of the Arabian martyrs, hoping to strengthen the faith of the region’s 2.5 million Catholics.
Devin Watkins
The Church in the Arabian Peninsula is celebrating a jubilee year commemorating the 1,500th anniversary of the Arabian Martyrs (523-2023).
“I consider this year to be a year of grace for the whole vicarage and for all Christian communities in the Gulf region,” Bishop Aldo Berardi, vicar of the Diocese of Northern Arabia, told Fides in an interview. Our Christian ancestors gave their lives for Christ and were faithful to the end. ”
The celebration is a joint effort of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia and the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, led by Bishop Paolo Martinelli.
martyrs of the arabian peninsula
The Jubilee year officially begins on October 24th with the commemoration of Saint Aretas and his companions, known for their martyrdom.
According to historical records, they were Arab Christians from the ancient Christian city of Najran in southern Arabia, in modern-day Saudi Arabia.
Saint Arethus, whose Arabic name is Al-Harith bin Kaab, and his companions are revered in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. He served as the governor of Najran until his martyrdom at the age of 95.
In 523 AD, he and his companions suffered martyrdom at the hands of King De Nuwas, who began a violent persecution of Christians in the region. Their steadfast faith and sacrifice are an inspiration to modern Christians in the Arabian Peninsula.
renew the missionary spirit
The Jubilee Year offers an opportunity to rediscover the legacy of the martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula and find solace in their stories of devotion to Christ even in the face of martyrdom.
“We recognize the continuity with the Christian communities and monasteries that have sprung up in this region,” Bishop Berardi said. “This memorable year is an opportunity to renew our missionary spirit and deepen our faith. We too must bear witness to Christ and the Gospel by living holy and consistent lives.”
To commemorate the Jubilee Year, the Kuwait Cathedral and Bahrain Cathedral will open their holy doors.
Pilgrimage and perfect indulgence
Pope Francis issued a proclamation in August 2023 officially opening the Jubilee Year of Saint Aretas and his Companions in the Arabian Peninsula from October 24, 2023 to October 23, 2024.
The decree also grants plenary indulgences to believers who make pilgrimages to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awari, Bahrain, the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, or the Parish of St. Arethus.
“Our life is a pilgrimage,” Bishop Berardi said. “Our pilgrimages are often not easy because of the challenges of life, the environment, and the society we live in. But we express our love for the Father and allow ourselves to do so. You can always follow Jesus and the Gospel if you allow it.” Be guided by the Holy Spirit. ”
To foster a deeper connection with the region’s Christian martyrs, a book titled Unforgettable Martyrs of Arabia, first published in English in 2020, has been translated into multiple languages.
The relics of Saint Aretas are also scheduled to arrive in Bahrain in November 2023, marking the first time in almost 14 centuries that the remains of Saint Aretas will be returned to the Arabian Peninsula.
In the Arabian Peninsula, home to approximately 2.5 million Catholics, commemorations of the 1,500th anniversary of the Arabian Martyrs serve as a reminder of the region’s rich Christian history and an invitation to renewal of faith.