International

This is how Romanians in Zagreb celebrated Theophany: “By fasting and prayer we untie the Saviour’s sandals”

On the feast of Theophany, Father Nicolae Ceruta explained to the Romanians in Zagreb the meaning of the untying of the sandals of Christ’s feet, a sentence used by Saint John the Forerunner to describe his humble approach to the Saviour. ‘To untie someone’s sandals is on one hand an act of humility, and on…

Jan 14, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Christmas service in chinese published in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong publisher “The China Orthodox Press” has published a Chinese translation of the service for the Nativity of Christ. With this new publication, it is now possible for Chinese Orthodox Christians to celebrate the festal service in their native language, Orthochristian reports. The publication contains the texts for the Royal Hours, Typica, Great…

Jan 13, 2020Gheorghe Anghel

Five Bulgarian monasteries to get a facelift with European funds

Five of the oldest Bulgarian monasteries, that have been declared monuments of culture – Bachkovski, Troyanski, Kremikovski, Kilifarevski and Plakovski, are expected to be renovated with European funds, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works announced. The goal is to make these religious centers even more attractive to pilgrims and tourists. The funds will be allocated…

Jan 10, 2020Gheorghe Anghel

Patriarch of Alexandria sends a message of peace and reconciliation to Libya

Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa sent a message of peace and reconciliation to Libya. In addition, he wished that the Orthodox Churches in Tripoli and Benghazi would be reopened, Orthodox Times reports. The Head of the Patriarchate of Alexandria spoke of the need for peace in North Africa: “There is an influx of migrants…

Jan 10, 2020Iulian Dumitraşcu

PHOTO: The Feast of Christmas at Bethlehem

On the night of Christmas Eve, December 24, 2019 / January 6, 2020, the Episcopal Entourage came down in the Basilica through the Baptistery Gate, led by the Most Reverend Archbishop Methodios of Tabor, for the beginning of Christmas Matins. During the Service of Matins, around 23.00 p.m. H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem…

Jan 9, 2020Iulian Dumitraşcu

Albanian Orthodox Church continues relief efforts for quake-stricken in the country

More than 170 earthquake victims have been hosted by the Orthodox Monastery of St. Vlash (St. Blaise), in the Durres district of central coastal Albania, since a devastating quake struck the area on Nov. 26, 2019, Orthodoxia News Agency reports. The shelter is part of a wide-ranging initiative announced by the Archbishop of Tirana and…

Jan 9, 2020Iulian Dumitraşcu

Ecumenical Patriarch to youth: Make proper use of technology

During an event, which was held on Friday, January 3, at Zografeion Lyceum, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew gave advice to the population of the Greek Diaspora, that is the youth and their parents, and then he blessed and cut the Vasilopita. The Ecumenical Patriarch highlighted the profound impact that technological development has on society and drew…

Jan 7, 2020Gheorghe Anghel

Archbishop of Athens paid visit to people with Intellectual Disabilities and Down Syndrome

Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens visited today the “Athanasios Martinos 1 & 2” Protected Living Homes (PLH) for People with Intellectual Disabilities and People with Down Syndrome of the “Maria Kokkori” Foundation at Varnavas, Attica, Greece. Furthermore, Archbishop Ieronymos paid a visit to children and adults who live in the PLH, which were inaugurated by him…

Jan 6, 2020Mihail Mere-Albe

Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia celebrates his 87th birthday

Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia celebrated on 04 January his 87th birthday. Ilia II, also transliterated as Ilya or Elijah (born January 4, 1933), is the current Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia and the spiritual leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church. He is officially styled as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan…

Jan 4, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Archbishop Ieronymos: May the New Year be blessed, creative and peaceful!

“May the new year be blessed, creative and peaceful” Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece wished shortly after the cutting of the Vasilopita (New Year’s cake) of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece in the large meeting room of the Church of Greece. Hierarchs, university professors, prefects, mayors, Directors of the Archdiocese’s…

Dec 31, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Key topics in 2020 to follow in the Orthodox world

It has become a custom for local Orthodox Churches to set a solemn or commemorative topic for the events organized the coming year. In the Romanian Patriarchate, this trend was set by the current Patriarch Daniel starting with 2008. Looking ahead, 2020 will cover spirituality, pastoral care and other important topics in the Orthodox world.…

Dec 31, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu