Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America by George E. Demacopoulos, PhD Amid the crush of news reports in the past month that followed Pope Benedict’s unprecedented resignation from the papacy, one of the most intriguing was the decision by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to attend Pope Francis’ installation as Bishop of Rome. The occasion is being presented in the media as something that has not happened since the ecclesiastical schism that separated Christian East and Christian West in the eleventh century. But that characterization is almost certainly wrong–this is quite likely the first time in history that a Bishop…
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Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon is one of a number of Orthodox hierarchs slated to attend the Inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Representatives from most of the Orthodox Churches will be present, including His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Following the Solemn Mass of Inauguration in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday morning, Metropolitan Tikhon, who is being accompanied by Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, will attend a lunch for the delegations hosted by Kurt Cardinal Koch, President of the Pontifical…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Sunday April 1974…Sunday of Orthodoxy…Why the failure to unite the Orthodox Church in the United States? The Assembly of Bishops has this task in 2013. Let us pray that they have the strength and courage to work in synergy with the Holy Spirit to do God’s Will for His Church. “It is high time that the Orthodox Christians in America rise to the demands of the time, look ahead and endeavor to respond to the unanswered questions of a whole generation – the generation of the American-born Orthodox, who do not understand the reason or reasons…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America held its spring session at the Chancery here Tuesday through Thursday, March 12-14, 2013. In addition to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, who chaired the sessions, other members of the Holy Synod in attendance were His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel; His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon; His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin; His Eminence, Archbishop Alejo; His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek; His Grace, Bishop Michael; His Grace, Bishop Alexander; His Grace, Bishop Mark; and His Grace, Bishop Irenee. “It has been a little over a month since…
Source: Greek Reporter USA The Greek community in USA and people from all around the world mourned his death, including heads of States, countless political figures, and organizations. Supreme President of AHEPA, Dr. John Grossomanides has issued the following statement: “The members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association mourn the passing of Life Member Andrew Athens, a true pillar of global Hellenism, a highly-decorated World War Two veteran, an unwavering community activist, ardent philanthropist, and a successful businessman who truly realized and fulfilled the American Dream.” “Brother Athens will be sorely missed by all Hellenes as his kind and…
Source: The Catholic World Report A first since the Great Schism By Catherine Harmon In a historic development, it was announced today that Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, will attend Pope Francis’ installation Mass in Rome March 19, the first time such an event as taken place since the Great Schism in 1054. From Asia News: The ecumenical patriarch will be accompanied by Ioannis Zizioulas, metropolitan of Pergamon and co-president of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Church, as well as Tarassios, Orthodox Metropolitan of Argentina, and Gennadios, Orthodox Metropolitan of…
Source: Reuters MOSCOW (Reuters) – The head of the Russian Orthodox Church told newly elected Pope Francis on Thursday they must act together to defend Christians persecuted in some parts of the world and promote traditional values against secularism. The Russian Orthodox Church shares the Roman Catholic Church’s conservative stances on many moral issues but disputes still strain relations nearly a millennium after the Great Schism split Christianity into eastern and western branches. “Orthodox believers and Catholics need to join forces today to safeguard Christians in need of support and sympathy, subject to pressure and persecution in different parts of…
Source: Orthodox Church in America The recently refurbished main reception room at the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America here was dedicated to the memory of the late Metropolitan Leonty on Tuesday evening, March 12, 2013. After celebrating a Panikhida for the repose of Metropolitan Leonty’s soul, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon presided at the dedication. Members of the Holy Synod of Bishops, who began their spring session earlier in the day, were present, as were members of the late Primate’s family and guests associated with him. His Eminence, Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – In a letter dated March 14, 2013, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon offered congratulations to the newly elected Pope Francis. “It is with joy that I convey to You the congratulations of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America on the occasion of Your election as Pope,” the letter opens. “Your example as Archbishop of Buenos Aires has told the world that Your commitment is to the Gospel of Christ, its truth and its love. Your witness during Your first steps as Pope confirms this commitment strongly and without reservation.”…
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America The Holy Synod of Antioch has issued the attached statement in English and Arabic. It begins: March 13, 2013 The Fathers of the Holy Synod of Antioch held a meeting on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand. The meeting was chaired by His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X. The Fathers discussed the situation arising from the election of Archimandrite Makarios by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem as the “Archbishop of Qatar”, on March 4, 2013. This election is against the Ecclesiastical Canons of the…
Source: Congressman Frank Wolf WOLF ISSUES REPORT FOLLOWING VISIT TO MIDDLE EAST DURING TUMULTUOUS TIME OF CHANGE IN THE REGION Renews Call for Special Envoy to Advocate for Beleaguered Minority Faith Communities, Which are Increasingly Under Assault Washington, D.C. (March 7, 2013) – Rep. Frank Wolf today made a series of policy recommendations – including his continued push for the creation of a Special Envoy for Religious Minorities in the Middle East and South Central Asia – following a recent trip to Lebanon and Egypt, where he met with high-ranking government officials, religious leaders, humanitarian aid organizations and refugees who…
Source: Notes on Arab Orthodoxy Dated February 17, 2013 (also available in PDF format here). Pastoral Letter In Grace we grow, In service we transcend And in love the structure is strengthened With the Mercy of God John X Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East To all our beloved in the Lord The Children of the Holy Antiochian See Clergy and lay people “Having been built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is strengthened, and will grow into a holy temple in the Lord”…