International

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

International conference: 8 centuries of the autocephaly of the Serbian Orthodox Church

In honor of the jubilee celebrating eight centuries of the autocephaly of the Serbian Orthodox Church (1219-2019) the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade is hosting, December 10-14, 2018, an international scholarly conference dedicated to the event of independence of the Serbian Orthodox Church and eight centuries of its contribution to the history, theology, and…

Dec 11, 2018Florin Nicolaie

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visits the DMZ

On Saturday, December 8, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the DMZ area of Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea, Orthodox Metropolis of Korea reports. He shared in the pain that the division of the peninsula has brought to the Korean people. Together with Koreans he held a memorial service for those fallen during the Korean…

Dec 11, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

South Korea’s President seeks support for peace initiative from Ecumenical Patriarch

South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in asked for the support of the Orthodox Church for his government’s efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and establish peace, along with its efforts to protect its natural environment, Yonhap reports. The call came in a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew held Friday, December 7, 2018, at the Blue House…

Dec 11, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

HAH Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visits St. Nicholas Parish in Seoul

On Wednesday, December 5, 2018, the feast day of St. Nicholas, His All Holiness, Patriarch of Constantinople and New Rome, visited St. Nicholas Parish in Seoul, Orthodox Metropolis of Korea informs. Together with the clergy of the Orthodox Church in Korea, they enjoyed a luncheon prepared by the faithful of St. Nicholas Parish. His Eminence,…

Dec 6, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

Patriarch Alexei II prayerfully commemorated on 10th anniversary of his repose

His Beatitude Patriarch Alexei II, of blessed memory, the 15th primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, was solemnly commemorated yesterday on the 10th anniversary of his repose. A litia for the repose of his predecessor’s soul was served by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia at the former’s tomb in the Annunciation…

Dec 6, 2018Gheorghe Anghel