Awali, Bahrain - The Catholic Church in the Arabian Peninsula is preparing for a year-long Jubilee to commemorate the 1,500th anniversary of the Martyrs of Arabia (523-2023), with the aim of strengthening the faith of the 2.5 million Catholic faithful in the region.

According to Bishop Aldo Berardi, Vicar Apostolic of Northern Arabia, this year is seen as a year of grace for the entire Vicariate and Christian communities in the Gulf. It's a celebration of the memory of Christian ancestors who remained faithful to Christ until the end.

This Jubilee is a joint effort between the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia and the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, led by Bishop Paolo Martinelli.

The official start of the Jubilee is on October 24, with the commemoration of Saint Arethas and his companions, known for their martyrdom. The martyrs were Arab Christians from the ancient Christian city of Najran in southern Arabia, modern-day Saudi Arabia.

Saint Arethas and his companions are revered in both Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Arethas, also known as Al-Harith bin Ka'b, served as the prefect of Najran until he was martyred at the age of 95 in 523 AD at the hands of King Dhu Nuwas, who persecuted Christians violently in the region. Their steadfast faith and sacrifice continue to inspire contemporary Christians in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Jubilee provides an opportunity to rediscover the legacy of the martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula and draw solace from their unwavering commitment to Christ, even in the face of martyrdom. Bishop Berardi emphasizes the importance of renewing the missionary spirit and deepening faith, seeking to bear witness to Christ and the Gospel through a holy and consistent life.

As part of the Jubilee, Holy Doors will be opened at the Kuwait Cathedral and the Bahrain Cathedral.

Pilgrimage and plenary indulgence
In August 2023, Pope Francis issued a decree to officially open the Jubilee of Saint Arethas and his Companions in the Arabian Peninsula, spanning from October 24, 2023, to October 23, 2024.

The decree also grants a plenary indulgence to the faithful who undertake a pilgrimage to specific locations, including the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, Bahrain, the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, or the Parish of St. Arethas.

“Our life is a pilgrimage,” said Bishop Berardi. "Our pilgrimage is often not easy, because of the difficulties of life, the environment and the society in which we live. But it is always possible to follow Jesus and the Gospel if we express our love for the Father and when we allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit.”

To foster a deeper connection with the region’s Christian martyrs, a book titled "The Unforgotten Martyrs of Arabia," initially published in English in 2020, has been translated into multiple languages. Furthermore, a relic of Saint Arethas is anticipated to arrive in Bahrain in November 2023, marking the return of the saint's remains to the Arabian Peninsula after nearly fourteen centuries.