2013 February

St Photini, The Samaritan Woman – Patron Saint of OCL

February 26, 2013 Leave a Comment

Commemorated February 26 St. Photini's Life The New Testament describes the familiar account of the "woman at the well" (John 4:5-42), who was a Samaritan. Up to that point she had led a sinful life, one which resulted in a rebuke from Jesus Christ. However, she responded to Christ's stern admonition with genuine repentance, was forgiven her sinful ways, and became a convert to the Christian Faith - taking the name 'Photini' at Baptism, which literally means "the enlightened one". A … [Read more...]

Christian parties, Hezbollah and Amal firm on Orthodox plan

February 25, 2013 Leave a Comment

Source: The Daily Star By Hasan Lakkis Opposition and majority sources told The Daily Star that ongoing talks have not yet broken the deadlock over a new electoral law but said this week could be decisive. Free Patriotic Movement MP Alain Aoun told The Daily Star that no one had contacted FPM leader Michel Aoun or any other FPM official to discuss the topic in the past few days, adding that the party had not changed its support for the Orthodox Gathering’s proposal, which would … [Read more...]

Syriac Orthodox Christians in Turkey – ”This Is Simply Our Home”

February 25, 2013 Leave a Comment

Source: Qantara.de In recent years, around 60-100 Syriac Orthodox families have returned from central Europe to Turkey. Encouraged by changes in the political atmosphere, the minority nonetheless faces a host of problems, from the expropriation of land belonging to a monastery, to a ban on special schools and kindergartens, and also a lack of places of worship in Istanbul. By Ekrem Eddy Güzeldere A sign in Aramaic at the side of the road defiantly bids visitors "Welcome to Kafro" next to … [Read more...]

Orthodox Christian Research Reports Available Online

February 25, 2013 Leave a Comment

Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America The Assembly of Bishops Research Coordinator, Alexei Krindatch, has prepared a range of reports on Orthodox Christianity in America. Along with the following research summaries, the full reports are available in PDF format. Ten Facts about Geographic Patterns of the Orthodox Church Life in the United States (Report #1) In the US today, there are approximately 800,000 Orthodox “adherents”— persons who … [Read more...]

Bulgaria’s Orthodox Church Elects New Leader

February 24, 2013 Leave a Comment

Source: ABC News By VESELIN TOSHKOV Associated Press SOFIA, Bulgaria February 24, 2013 (AP) - Metropolitan Neofit of Ruse was elected Sunday as the new spiritual leader of Bulgaria's Orthodox Christians amid social unrest threatening to throw the Balkan country in a serious political crisis. The 67-year-old Neofit was picked among three candidates shortlisted in a secret ballot by the 14 bishops that make up the Holy Synod of the church. An electoral college made up of 138 members … [Read more...]

The Benefit of Benedict’s Benediction: The Enduring Influence of Prayer

February 23, 2013 3 Comments

Source: Oinos Consulting By Frank Marangos D.Min., Ed.D. “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” - Alfred, Lord Tennyson To a society that unreservedly celebrates positions of power, prestige, and performance the recent announcement of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation indicates the possibility of personal failure, infirmity and/or scandal. “Why else would a leader with global citation, cachet, and clout abdicate his position of buff?” What the … [Read more...]

Bartholomew Addresses Vital Matters

February 21, 2013 Leave a Comment

Source: The National Herald by TNH staff CONSTANTINOPLE – Illustrating that Constantinople is still a “Byzantine” place regardless of what Turks call it, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said during an interview with the Turkish Daily Milliyet that he only learned from newspapers that a special commission was set up to decide the fate of the Halki Seminary, which has been closed for more than four decades. "There is no representative of the Patriarchate on this commission. It is … [Read more...]

February edition of “Wonder” features reflections on “The Gospel and the City”

February 18, 2013 Leave a Comment

Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] - The February edition of “Wonder”—the on-line journal of the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry—is now available. This month’s theme, “The Gospel and the City,” features transcriptions of sermons delivered by Orthodox Christian participants in the recent Festival of Young Preachers in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Anna Vander Wall reflects on Psalm 137 in her article, “Zion in … [Read more...]

New Members of the Secretariat of the Assembly

February 18, 2013 Leave a Comment

Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America The Secretariat welcomes Chrysanthe Loizos, the newly-appointed Communications Officer for the Assembly, to its ranks. Over the past fifteen years, Chrysanthe has worked for a number of nonprofit organizations, primarily in the humanitarian and social service sectors. Most recently she worked for International Orthodox Christian Charities as International Programs Coordinator. In that capacity she provided … [Read more...]

Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod chooses shortlist of three candidates in Patriarchal election

February 17, 2013 Leave a Comment

Source: The Sofia Globe by CLIVE LEVIEV-SAWYER After a day and a half of voting in more than 24 rounds, the governing body of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod, chose on February 16 2013 the three metropolitans who will be the candidates in the election for the next Patriarch – Galaktion of Stara Zagora, Neofit of Rousse and Gavril of Lovetch. This puts Gavril – the only metropolitan eligible for election who was not a communist-era State Security agent – back in the … [Read more...]

St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL