International

VIDEO | Syrian Christian town where Jesus’ language remains in use celebrates Christmas

One of the places where Christmas was celebrated on Tuesday is Maaloula, a small town near Damascus, where residents still speak Aramaic, the language used by Jesus Christ. Maaloula is located in a mountainous area near the Syrian capital, where two ancient Christian monasteries also stand.  Some of the damage can still be seen…

Dec 27, 2018Iulian Dumitraşcu

Iraq officially makes Christmas Day a national holiday

The Iraqi Cabinet approved a law to mark Christmas Day, December 25, as an official holiday across the country “on the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ,” according to a statement released by the Iraqi government, informs CNN. The Cabinet voted on an amendment to the national holidays law in the country that Christmas…

Dec 26, 2018Iulian Dumitraşcu

Pastoral Letter of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on the Nativity of the Lord 2018

Please find below the pastoral letter sent by the members of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord 2018. Pastoral Letter of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on the Nativity of the Lord 2018 “Today is coming about an unheard of mystery…

Dec 24, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch’s 2018 Christmas Message warns about new forms of nestorianism and monophysitism

In this year’s Christmas Message, His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew warns about contemporary ‘nestorianism’ understood as secularization and scientism, and a new form of ‘monophysitism’ represented by tendencies to demonize the body and natural man, by puritanism and the syndromes of “purity,” by fruitless introverted spirituality and various mysticisms. Patriarchal Proclamation of Christmas 2018 by…

Dec 21, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch John of Antioch: The peace of people, however, if not associated with the peace of God, is pure falsehood

Pastoral Letter of the Holy Nativity of Christ – 2018 By the Grace of God John X Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Antioch To my Brothers, the Hierarchs and Shepherds of the Holy Church of Antioch, My Beloved Spiritual Children throughout the Apostolic See “I hear the angels sing today in Bethlehem: “Glory to…

Dec 20, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

Christmas message by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem

“Make ready, O Bethlehem, let the manger be prepared, Let the Cave show its welcome. The truth is come the shadow is passed away; God hath appeared from a Virgin unto men, Formed as we are and deifying that which He hath assumed.” (Plagal of fourth Tone by Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem) During the joyful…

Dec 19, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

Prince Stefan Baptized by Patriarch Irinej

His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia christened young Prince Stefan, the son of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philip and Princess Danica, at the Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First-Called in the Royal Compound in Dedinje, Belgrade, Serbia. Prince Stefan’s godparents are HRH Prince Alexander (twin brother of HRH Prince Philip), Mrs. Petra Lazarevic and…

Dec 17, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

Site of Jesus’ Baptism Slated for Reopening as Landmines Cleared

After nearly 50 years, the sacred site where Jesus is believed to have been baptized is set to reopen as the last of many landmines are cleared from the area. In a statement released Sunday, the Israeli government announced that its work with international anti-landmine experts is almost complete. Marcel Aviv, who heads the Defense…

Dec 16, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

Bulgarian Orthodox Church supports organ transplants – under certain conditions

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has issued its position on organ transplants, a day after Health Minister Kiril Ananiev met faith groups and asked them to declare support for state policy on the matter, Sofia Globe reports. The governing body of the church, to which the majority of Bulgarians declare themselves to…

Dec 14, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

Why Greeks Traditionally Decorate a Boat Instead of a Christmas Tree

The most traditional symbol you will find in Greece during the holidays is a small boat decorated with lights, usually placed in the main square of a town and close to the more international Christmas tree, Greek Reporter reports. The Christmas boat in the old Venetian port of Chania, Crete. To karavaki, or small boat is…

Dec 14, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

The International Association of Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care was established

The International Association of Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care was recently established following the announcement during the International Conference Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care (DMOPC18) that took place this year in Crete. The Association is founded on the initiative of the Non-Profit Civil Company ‘Saint Maxim the Greek Institute for the Research, Preservation,…

Dec 12, 2018Iulian Dumitraşcu