International

Prince Charles meets with Archbishop of Athens, speaks about Romania’s monasteries

During his official visit to Greece, HRH Prince Charles of Wales met Thursday with Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece. After welcoming the heir to the British throne at the Archdiocese’s office in Athens, His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II referred to the philanthropic work of the Church and the ties between the two countries.…

May 10, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Metropolitan Rastislav to Visit Pope for 1st Time on May 11

His Beatitude the Metropolitan Rastislav, Archbishop of Prešov, Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, will visit Pope Francis on May 11, announced a press release from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. This marks the first visit to Pope Francis by the Metropolitan, elected in January 2014. During his…

May 9, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

City of Tallinn donates $215,000 for restoration of orthodox church

Tallinn authorities have allocated 180,000 euros ($215,500) towards the restoration of the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos (Kazan Church) in the Estonian capital city, the mayor’s press service reported yesterday, according to RIA-Novosti. The agreement on the allocation of funds was signed by parish rector Victor Melnik and Tallinn City Council Chairman Mikhail Kilvart.…

May 8, 2018Gheorghe Anghel

Saint Matrona summons believers on her first feast held in Romania

For the first time in Romania Saint Matrona of Moscow was liturgically celebrated Wednesday at Tabacu Church in Bucharest where the Russian Orthodox community attends the divine services. Although she was born blind and lost the use of her legs at the age of 17, for her ascetic life and unceasing prayer, God bestowed upon…

May 3, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Christ’s Resurrection is a medicine for the healing of the world paralyzed by sin – Russian Patriarch Kirill in Albania

During the Divine Liturgy celebrated Sunday at the Resurrection Cathedral in Tirana, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow said that ‘the healing of the paralytic was meant to remind us that Christ’s Resurrection is a medicine, a means to heal our mortal world, paralyzed by sin and estrangement from God.’ On the fourth Sunday after Pascha, His…

May 2, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria to bless new cell on Holy Mount Athos

His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa will visit the Holy Mount Athos on May 14 – May 16, 2018. The Head of the African Church will attend the blessing of a new cell at St Paul’s Monastery, Amen.gr reports. The cell is dedicated to the founder of the Church of Alexandria,…

Apr 27, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem to visit Romania in November

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem is expected to visit Romania this autumn to attend the first patronal feast of the National Cathedral only a few days after its consecration ceremony will be performed. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos accepted Patriarch Daniel’s invitation to lead the festivities occasioned by the patronal feast of the Romanian…

Apr 27, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

New feast of All Saints of Iberian Peninsula to be proclaimed in October

During their working session last week, the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in Spain and Portugal decided to add a new pan-Orthodox feast of the Synaxis of Iberian Saints to the liturgical calendars of the local Orthodox Churches. The meeting that took place Friday, April 20, in Madrid, was attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Polycarp of…

Apr 26, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Cyprus regains rare Orthodox Christian mosaic stolen in 70s

A rare 6th century mosaic depicting the St. Andrew that was taken from a looted church in the Cyprus’ breakaway north has been returned after four decades, His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos said Monday. Archbishop Chrysostomos II said that the artistry that went into the mosaic coupled with its rarity made the work a symbol of…

Apr 25, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarchate to initiate dialogue with sister Churches on Ukrainian Autocephaly

Following its working session on April 19-20, 2018, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate released a communiqué stating that it has decided to begin a dialogue and coordination with its sister autocephalous Orthodox Churches on the matter of creating an autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church.  The Ecumenical patriarchate noted it will examine the matter according…

Apr 25, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Syria: Joint statement issued in memory of abducted Aleppo bishops

A Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Patriarch John X at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus on April 22 on the 5th anniversary of the kidnapping of the Aleppo bishops, namely Bishop Youhanna Ibrahim and Bishop Paul Yazigi as well as for all the abducted people. The Liturgy was concelebrated by several bishops,…

Apr 24, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu