[ditty_news_ticker id="27897"] February, 2014 - Orthodox Christian Laity - Page 2
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Monthly Archives: February, 2014

Dear Member, Supporter and Friend of Orthodox Christian Laity, Your support and commitment to OCL is more important now as we begin to move into a new era in the United States. This new era is about regularizing the un-canonical organization of the Orthodox Church in the United States. The Patriarchs have asked the bishops to create a new blueprint for a unified Church in the United States.  We need to support our Assembly of Bishops to become our Synod of Bishops.  We are asking you to consider becoming an OCL board member if you have a passion for our…

Source: Order of St Andrew the Apostle – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Istanbul, Turkey ICOMOS Turkey, the International Council of Monuments and Sites, National Committee of Turkey, recently issued a report (below) regarding two issues of concern have recently emerged regarding Hagia Sophia Museum, the first of those being the plans for the reconstruction of the now extinct building of Hagia Sophia Madrasa, and the second, the public debate surrounding the refunctioning of Hagia Sophia Museum. Read this article on ICOMOS » Read Annex: A Brief Historical Investigation of Haghia Sophia (Fatih) Madrasa » Hagia Sophia Museum, one of…

On Sunday February 9, 2014, a group of Southeast Florida Orthodox Christian laity and clergy  met in the Singer Island home of Demetra Galazoudis who hosted the event. George Matsoukas and Marlene Devo Buettner organized the gathering.  Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, who is a member of the Secretariat of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North and Central America and serves as Senior Consultant to the Assembly Coordinator for Committees and as Facilitator/ Liaison for the Committees for Canonical Regional Planning, Financial Affairs, and Theological Education was the featured presenter. Deacon Peter cited scripture, telling us that it is God’s will…

Source: International Orthodox Christian Charities Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — Syrian civilians evacuated from the embattled city of Homs under a UN-negotiated cease-fire are being aided by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) as they flee to safety. IOCC and its church partner in Syria, The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (GOPA), are in Homs assisting in the evacuation that began this weekend and are providing emergency relief to the Syrian people fleeing the city. Among the evacuees were ten youths who were immediately taken to the nearest medical facility for needed vaccines and medical attention. IOCC/GOPA also assisted…

Source: Hurriyet Daily News It is once again an honor to address the Eurasian Economic Summit, which is organized each year by the esteemed Marmara Group and is today considering the topic of “Culture and Ecological Dialogue.” Centuries ago, a Christian mystic declared: “Acquire inward peace, and thousands around you will find their peace.” In some ways, then, the dialogue for peace begins within. This in turn embraces a religious dimension, which can never be separated from genuine peace, whether locally or globally. As faith communities and religious leaders, we are obliged constantly to remind people about the obligation and…

Source: Global Post Agence France-Presse When Pope Francis visits Bethlehem in May he will see scaffolding covering the roof of the Church of the Nativity. It may be an eyesore, but it symbolises a rare show of unity among rival Christian faiths that are working together to restore the ancient basilica. Built in the fourth century by the Roman Emperor Constantine and restored by Justinian after a fire in the sixth century, the shrine over the cave where Jesus is believed to have been born is undergoing a major renovation. The project, which will see the entire church restored, began…

Source: Daily Mail Shootings happened at main cathedral on the island of Sakhalin Nun and churchgoer killed, while six others were wounded Suspect believed to be employed as private security guard Killings happened at a time when Russian security forces on high alert for the Winter Olympics in Sochi But officials say there is no apparent link to the Games By SHARI MILLER A man employed as a private security guard opened fire in a Russian Orthodox cathedral on the island of Sakhalin, killing a nun and a churchgoer and wounding six others. The shooting occurred on Sunday at a time…

Source: Order of St Andrew the Apostle – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Istanbul, Turkey On behalf of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, on January 30, 2014, the Honorable B. Theodore Bozonelis, Archon Ekdikos and Regional Commander of New Jersey, attended a conference in Istanbul, Turkey sponsored by Bilgi University Faculty of Law in partnership with Community (Minority) Foundations and the Council of European Human Rights (the Venice Commission). The topic of the conference was Legal Entities of Non-Muslims: “Problems and Rights”. Laki Vingas, as the duly elected representative of all Minority Foundations to the government of Turkey’s General…

Source: The National Herald By George D. Karcazes Special to The National Herald The letter that Archbishop Kyril, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the “Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia” recently sent to Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, as Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North and Central America is disappointing. But, it probably should have been expected. In his letter, Kyril echoes the sentiments of Bishop Danili of the “Bulgarian Diocese in the USA and Canada” which were also in a letter apparently presented to Archbishop Demetrios and his “Committee for…

Source: The National Herald BY THEODORE KALMOUKOS Salt Lake City, UT – Following the violence at the Prophet Elias Church on January 19, Divine Liturgy, services there and at the other Salt Lake City Church, Holy Trinity, are being celebrated with plainclothes police officers on hand. The January 19 violence was a clash between supporters of Rev. Michael Kouremetis and Parish Council members, including President Demetrios Tsagaris. When parishioner Steven Zervos and former Parish Council President Jim Mylonakis attacked – both physically and verbally – other Councilmembers, including Tsagaris, the police were called, according to signed statements by eyewitnesses. The…

Source:  Orthodox Church in America Originally posted on January 24, 2014. SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has received information regarding Archbishop Seraphim (Storheim), who is on suspension from his position as Archbishop of Canada. In court proceedings that took place earlier today—Friday, January 24, 2014—in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Archbishop Seraphim was found guilty of one count of sexual assault. He also was acquitted of one count of sexual assault. Sentencing will take place later this year. He remains free on bail. Separately and apart from the court proceedings, Archbishop Seraphim remains suspended,…

Source: The National Herald BY THEODORE KALMOUKOS NEW YORK – The crisis that started a year and a half ago at the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York continues to deepen due to the strong contentiousness between the Cathedral’s Presiding Priest Anastasios Gounaris and the Parish Council, as it was manifested yet again during the council’s meeting on January 23. Gounaris dismissed Steve Hantzarides from his position as Administrative Director at the Cathedral, without the knowledge, approval, or even the notification of the Parish Council. The Council members became extremely upset, despite the fact that they also wanted Hantzarides…