Feast of St. Arethas and Companions 2025

Dear brothers and sisters,

May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you!

Exactly a year ago this month, we solemnly closed an exceptional time of grace in our life as People of God—the Jubilee commemorating the 1500th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Arethas and Companions. On October 24, we once again celebrate the feast of these holy martyrs of Arabia.

A year after the Jubilee, we pause to ask: What have we learned? How have our lives been touched?

We have come to realize that we are descendants of the early Christians of Arabia, not merely modern-day expatriates. The faith we profess today is not something foreign or imported; it is rooted in this very land, sanctified by those who bore witness to Christ centuries ago. The Christians of Najran handed down to us a living testimony that faith can take root and flourish even in the desert. Their courage and steadfastness remind us that our presence here is not accidental but providential. We are heirs of a spiritual heritage that began in the soil we now walk upon — a lineage of believers who proclaimed Christ with love, perseverance, and hope.

We know that we are guided and protected by the blood of the martyrs, whose witness continues to strengthen our faith. The sacrifice of St. Arethas and his Companions is not a distant memory; it is a living source of grace that sustains the Church in our time. Their blood, shed in fidelity to Christ, became the seed of new Christian life in Arabia. When we face trials or moments of uncertainty, we can look to them as our intercessors and models of courage. Their silent yet powerful testimony reminds us that the strength of the Church does not lie in numbers or structures, but in the faith of those who dare to love God above all else.

We understand that we are stronger when we are united. The Jubilee of the Martyrs was a powerful sign of this unity, as for the first time since their establishment in 2011, the two Vicariates of the Gulf came together in one common celebration. This communion of faith and love revealed that our diversity of cultures, languages, and backgrounds is not a source of division, but a gift that enriches the Church. When we walk together, guided by the same Spirit and nourished by the same Eucharist, we become a living witness to the universality of the Body of Christ. The martyrs remind us that unity is not a mere ideal but a vocation — a call to live as one family under the protection of Our Lady of Arabia.

We rejoiced to see how our sister Christian Churches shared in our joy, as we honored saints who are deeply cherished in their own traditions. The Jubilee transcended borders and became a celebration for the whole Church, East and West alike. It reminded us that holiness knows no boundaries — that the witness of the martyrs of Arabia belongs to all Christians. Through prayer, liturgy, and fraternity, our communion with other Churches deepened, affirming that the faith of the early Arab martyrs continues to inspire believers across the world. Their story, once hidden in the sands of history, now shines as a light for the universal Church, calling all to unity in Christ who makes all things new.

As we set our gaze toward the future of the Church in Arabia, we do so with renewed hope and gratitude. The memory of the martyrs is not only a chapter in our past but a living reality that continues to shape our identity as Christians in this land. Liturgically, St. Arethas and his Companions will now be celebrated each year throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Through this annual celebration, the Church invites every believer to remember with reverence those who once walked these deserts and gave their lives for Christ. We are deeply grateful to the Holy See for graciously inscribing their memorial in the liturgical calendars of the two Vicariates of the Gulf. This inclusion is more than an honor; it is a recognition that the Church in Arabia, though young in its present form, is ancient in faith and steadfast in love.

And truly, we are not orphans. The sacred relic of St. Arethas, now solemnly enshrined in our Cathedral in Bahrain, stands as a visible and enduring sign of God’s faithfulness to His people. It reminds us that we are never alone in our journey of faith. The martyrs walk with us; their prayers strengthen us; their courage inspires us. Every time we gather before the relic to pray, we are united with the countless believers who, throughout the centuries, have drawn strength from their sacrifice. The relic of St. Arethas is a beacon of divine mercy—a bridge between heaven and earth—calling us to perseverance, holiness, and peace.

Let us therefore continue to thank and glorify God for the precious gift of St. Arethas and his Companions. Let their witness remind us that faith must always lead to love, and love must always lead to sacrifice in its varied forms. Let us continue to draw inspiration from their courage, unity, and unwavering fidelity to Christ, especially in times of trial. And let us never forget our patron saints from Arabia, who blazed for us a path of faithfulness, fortitude, and hope — a path that leads us ever closer to the heart of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

Happy feast to you and your family!

Luca Falzoni

President

Confraternity of St. Arethas and Companions

www.saintarethasconfraternity.org

E-mail: support@saintarethasconfraternity.org