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4* Vatican
$6 NEWS
CHURCH BAHRAIN SAUDI ARABIA KUWAIT UNITED ARAB EMIRATES QATAR
Church in Arabian Peninsula set
to open Jubilee for Christian
martyrs
The Catholic Church in the Arabian Peninsula prepares to open a year-long
Jubilee celebration to commemorate the 1,500th anniversary of the Martyrs of
Arabia, in hopes of strengthening the faith of the 2.5 million Catholic faithful in the
region.
By Devin Watkins
The Church in the Arabian Peninsula is set to embark on a Holy Year for the
l,5OOth anniversary of the Martyrs of Arabia (523-2023).
“We consider this year to be a year of grace for the entire Vicariate and for all
Christian communities in the Gulf," said Bishop Aldo Berardi, Vicar Apostolic of
Northern Arabia, speaking to Fides news agency. “We celebrate with faith the
memory of our Christian ancestors who gave their lives for Christ, faithful to the end."
The celebration is a joint endeavor between the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern
Arabia, and the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, led by Bishop Paolo Martinelli.
Martyrs of Arabian Peninsula
The Jubilee officially begins on 24 October, with the commemoration of Saint
Arethas and his companions, known for their martyrdom.
Historical records reveal that they were Arab Christians from the ancient
Christian city of Najran in southern Arabia, modern-day Saudi Arabia.
Saint Arethas, whose Arabic name was Al-Harith bin Ka'b, and his companions
are venerated in both Catholic and Orthodox Churches. He served as the prefect of
Najran until his martyrdom at the age of 95.
In 523 AD, he and his companions endured martyrdom at the hands of King Dhu
