International

Romanian Patriarchate adds its voice: Keep Hagia Sophia a museum

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel told the Ecumenical Patriarch that the Romanian Patriarchate supports the preservation of the current status of the Hagia Sophia Basilica in Constantinople (Istanbul). The status of this symbol for Christianity is being re-discussed in Turkey. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has asked the Turkish authorities to keep the current museum status for the…

Jul 8, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Four year anniversary of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church

Four years ago, on June 16, began the writing of ‘a new chapter in the history of the Church’ as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew called the meeting of the Local Orthodox Churches that took place on the island of Crete. The Council took place from June 16 to June 26, 2016, at the Orthodox Academy of…

Jun 19, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s new ambassador to Israel visits Romanian Patriarchate’s representation to Jerusalem

Romania’s newly appointed ambassador to Israel, Radu Ioanid, visited the headquarters of the Romanian Patriarchate’s representation in Jerusalem where he met with the V. Rev. Archimandrite Teofil Anastasoaie on Monday, June 15. “After a break of three years in which the position of ambassador was vacant, we are glad that it was finally decided that…

Jun 18, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

New smartphone app opens famed Greek Monasteries to the world

Locked-down would-be tourists who are longing to visit Greece can still enjoy the magnificent views of the Meteora monasteries and even walk alongside the monks of Mount Athos using a new app called “VR Pilgrim.” Just by using their own smartphone, tourists can enjoy 360-degree views of two of Greece’s most spectacular sites, the Meteora…

May 26, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Virtual tour of the monasteries on Mount Athos available online

Women and those unable to travel have the possibility to visit online the Holy Mount Athos. A website has made available the virtual panoramas of the Mount’s 20 monasteries. Panoramas of more sketes and cells and those of three caves will become available soon. The virtual tours can be found on the website Mountathos360.com, where…

May 3, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Holy Fire has descended in Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

The Holy Fire has descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem entered the church a little after 1:00 PM, and after vesting and processing thrice around the Lord’s Tomb, he entered the Tomb itself at 1:45 PM. The Holy Light descended at about 1:50 PM,…

Apr 18, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

CROCEU: Covid-19 is a critical occasion for Europe to prove solidarity

The Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Institutions (CROCEU) has published a press release on the Coronavirus pandemic and its consequences on social, political and spiritual level. They say it is a great trial and also a unique opportunity to prove solidarity and change our lives. The CROCEU members present…

Apr 13, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Archbishop Elpidophoros about people with autism: Let us support and encourage our brothers

On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America sent a message. As he highlighted on his twitter account, “On #WorldAutismAwarenessDay let us all take care to support and encourage our brothers and sisters with autism, and especially in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensure the security of their rights and…

Apr 3, 2020Gheorghe Anghel

Archbishop of Albania about making hope, courage and positive attitude contagious in this pandemic

Archbishop Anastasios recommends us to spread the hope in Christ and show a positive attitude, based on prayer and love during the coronavirus pandemic, which affects both physical and mental health. His Beatitude reassures the faithful and reminds them that „the crucified and resurrected Christ offered to His disciples peace and freedom from fear, promising…

Apr 2, 2020Gheorghe Anghel

Bulgarian Metropolitan of Lovech blesses city from overlooking heights

While a number of hierarchs have been blessing their respective cities and provinces from above on plane and helicopter rides, His Eminence Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech, one of the most authoritative hierarchs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, took to the rocky heights overlooking the city to pray for and bless his city and flock. On…

Apr 2, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Patriarch of Alexandria inaugurates new ecclesiastical museum of Monastery of Saint Savvas

On March 29, the Fourth Sunday of the Great Lent, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over the Orthros and the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St. Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria, Orthodox Times informs. He also performed the memorial service for the repose of the soul of his…

Apr 1, 2020Gheorghe Anghel