International

Bulgarian cabinet allocates more than $1 million for Zographou monastery on Mt. Athos

The Bulgarian government has set aside more than $1 million for the Bulgarian Orthodox spiritual treasure, Zographou Monastery. In particular, the Cabinet of Ministers resolved to allocate $1,317,000 (2.3 million leva) towards the repair and reconstruction of the eastern wing of the Bulgarian monastery on Mt. Athos. The eastern wing, built 200 years ago, is…

Dec 30, 2019Mihail Mere-Albe

Mass Baptism of 52 children, adults celebrated in Congo

As the Orthodox faithful of the Congo were preparing to celebrate the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, a large number of those who had prepared themselves were united to His death and Resurrection in the holy Mystery of Baptism. On Tuesday, December 24, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Brazzaville and…

Dec 26, 2019Gheorghe Anghel

Christmas message by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem

“Heaven and earth are made one today, for Christ is born. Today God is come upon the earth, and man is gone up into the Heavens. Today He Who by nature is invisible, for man’s sake is seen in the flesh.” (Sticheron Idiomelo 2 – Christmas Entreaty) Today the Church all over the world celebrates…

Dec 21, 2019Gheorghe Anghel

Ecumenical Patriarch: We declare 2020 as the year of spiritual renewal and due concern for the youth

“The Holy Spirit is the giver of life, the source of goodness. The Christian is a human being that is afire, loves God, humanity and beauty, is active and creative.” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew states this in his Christmas message, stressing that “the Church of Christ rejoices as it liturgically experiences the whole mystery of Divine…

Dec 20, 2019Gheorghe Anghel

Noted theologian Fr. George Metallinos reposes in the Lord

The well-known and influential priest, theologian, and professor Fr. George Metallinos reposed in the Lord today at the age of 79, reports the Orthodoxia News Agency. Fr. George was a prolific writer, with more than 40 Greeks published in Greek. In the English-speaking world he is known for his book I Confess One Baptism. Elias Makos,…

Dec 19, 2019Mihail Mere-Albe

Corfu Island Honors Its Patron Saint Spyridon With Splendid Ceremonies

The Greek island of Corfu (Kerkyra) honors the memory of its Patron Saint Spyridon on December 12 each year. People from Cyprus, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and other centers of Orthodoxy traditionally visit the island every year. It is believed by the faithful of the island that their saint has saved their communities from countless disasters. Although the…

Dec 16, 2019Mihail Mere-Albe

Last farewell to Elder Ephraim of Arizona at ‘spiritual oasis’ he co-founded in Sonoran Desert

Thousands of Orthodox faithful, including hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and laity went on pilgrimage yesterday to St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence, Arizona to bid farewell to their beloved Elder Ephraim, who peacefully reposed in the Lord in the evening of December 7. Geronda Ephraim is known as a faithful disciple of St. Joseph the Hesychast who served…

Dec 13, 2019Mihail Mere-Albe

165,000 visitors expected in Israel for Christmas

Israel’s Tourism Ministry is ready to welcome en estimated 165,000 faithful who are expected to arrive in Israel for the Christmas holiday. Starting at 2 PM on Christmas Eve, December 24, through 2:00 PM on Christmas Day, the Tourism Ministry will offer free roundtrip shuttle transportation, helping pilgrims who travel between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Buses…

Dec 13, 2019Mihail Mere-Albe

Decisions of 18th meeting of Orthodox Bishops’ Conference of Benelux (CEOB)

The Orthodox Bishops’ Conference of Benelux (CEOB) met at the seat of the Metropolis of Belgium in Brussels on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, chaired by Metropolitan Athinagoras of Belgium. Bishop Markos (Patriarchate of Romania) and Bishop Dositheus (Patriarchate of Georgia) also participated in the meeting. The bishops were briefed on the outcome of the Ecumenical…

Dec 12, 2019Mihail Mere-Albe

Bulgarian Church feeds 1,000s daily with social kitchens across the country

As the weather turns colder, there is an increased need for humanitarian and social aid, especially in cities, and the Local Orthodox Churches throughout the world have various programs for assisting those in need. Though there are no central statistics and data on the Bulgarian Church’s social organizations and activities, the site Dobrotoliubie carried out its…

Dec 12, 2019Sorin Ioniţe

Head of Polish Orthodox Military Ordinariate visits Romanian Patriarchate

The head of the Polish Orthodox Military Ordinariate, His Eminence Archbishop George (Jerzy) Pańkowski, paid a visit to Romania from Nov. 25 to Nov. 28, 2019. The delegation of the Polish Orthodox Church was invited to Romania by Fr. Florin Vladoiu, head of the Religious Assistance Section of the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. “It…

Dec 10, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu