Source: Public Orthodoxy by Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis Executive Director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Holy Cross School of Theology In previous years, weeks, and days, I have seen—and, in one instance, supported—a variegated condemnation of the Moscow Patriarch—his preaching and practice alike—as heretical. The “Russian World” ideology has been denounced as unorthodox and heretical. The “Edict” of the World Russian People’s Council has been characterized as distorted doctrine. And the commemoration of Patriarch Kirill has been called in question. All of the above have been justly promoted and justifiably promulgated, among others, by dear friends across the globe. While I am not…
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Source: Public Orthodoxy by Sister Vassa Larin Liturgiologist and Founder of Coffee with Sister Vassa I presented the following paper on February 17, 2024 in Wheeling, IL, at a conference entitled “We’re Not Alone.” The conference was organized by laypeople of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), concerned about the church issues arising from Putin’s war against Ukraine. The topic of the paper, “The ROCOR and Western Values: Past and Present,” needs reflection, because Patriarch Kirill and the Putin regime have repeatedly justified the invasion of Ukraine as some kind of effort to save Ukraine from the influence of…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] On April 2-4, 2024, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America met for its Regular Spring 2024 Session in Springfield, VA, under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. The meetings of the Synod were preceded by a special joint meeting in which the Bishops were joined by the Church Officers, the Diocesan Chancellors, the General Counsel, and representatives of the Pension Board. The joint meeting began on Monday, April 1, with an education session led by Mr. David Jarrett, FSA, EA, MAAA, FCA, Principal and Consulting Actuary. This presentation…
Source: Orthodox Church in America To the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, My Beloved Children in the Lord, CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN! Now all is filled with light: heaven and earth and the lower regions. Let all creation celebrate the rising of Christ: in him we are established. (St. John of Damascus, Paschal Canon, Ode Three) Today we greet the most radiant feast of feasts, the king and lord of days, the Pascha of Christ our true God. Standing in the light of the Resurrection, we glimpse the true and unfading joy of the…
Source: The Atlantic A hard-line Russian bishop backed by the political might of the Kremlin could split the Orthodox Church in two. By Robert F. Worth In late August 2018, Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, flew from Moscow to Istanbul on an urgent mission. He brought with him an entourage—a dozen clerics, diplomats, and bodyguards—that made its way in a convoy to the Phanar, the Orthodox world’s equivalent of the Vatican, housed in a complex of buildings just off the Golden Horn waterway, on Istanbul’s European side. Read the complete article here
Source: Orthodox Times In the Easter message for 2024, the patriarchs and church leaders in Jerusalem issued a fresh appeal for an “immediate and sustainable ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip. Witnessing the anguish and affliction in the Holy Land and beyond, the patriarchs and leaders vehemently condemn the violent acts perpetrated in the ongoing conflict, especially those targeting innocent civilians, and reiterate their urgent plea for an immediate and enduring ceasefire. In their message, the religious leaders reaffirmed their plea for the swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the release of all detainees, and unimpeded access for medical personnel to attend…
Source: Kyiv Post Moscow Patriarchate calls for the conquest and absorption of the Ukrainian and Belarusian nations into an ultranationalist ‘Russian world’. By ISW The Russian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate (ROC MP), a Kremlin-controlled organization and a known tool within the Russian hybrid warfare toolkit, held the World Russian People’s Council in Moscow on March 27 and 28 and approved an ideological and policy document tying several Kremlin ideological narratives together in an apparent effort to form a wider nationalist ideology around the war in Ukraine and Russia’s expansionist future. ROC MP Head Patriarch Kirill, reportedly himself a former Soviet…
Source: National Catholic Register The Hope for Ecumenical Unity Includes the Desire for a Reconciliation of the Gregorian and Julian Calendar Jim Graves In an ongoing dialogue with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the successor of St. Andrew the Apostle and “first among equals” among the bishops of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Pope Francis has expressed his belief that Catholics and Orthodox will one day attain full communion. Eastern Orthodox — as opposed to Eastern-rite Catholics who differ from Latin-rite Catholics in custom and liturgical practices but accept the primacy of jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome — gradually separated…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver has resigned and the Synod of the Phanar in Constantinople, with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presiding, has elected him Metropolitan of Lystra, an honorary position. The National Herald in its publication on Friday, March 15, 2024, titled ‘Eparchial Synod Meets, Elect Two new Bishops for Archdiocese of America’ also reported on other matters addressed by the Synod and revealed, among other things, the following: “Extensive discussion took place regarding Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, who has been residing for several months now at the Monastery of the Archangels in…
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Download the flyer With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Saba, the Antiochian Archdiocese will be hosting its 10th Annual Orthodox Young Professional Conference (OYPC) in July. The four day, three night young adult conference is hosted by the Young Adult Ministry of the Archdiocese, and organizers are pulling out all the stops to ensure that it’s the best gathering yet. The invitation is extended to young Orthodox Christians from across the country in all jurisdictions to join together in the weekend of fellowship and fun in beautiful Orange County, Calif. It is hoped that attendees will enjoy opportunities for spiritual growth, and build future friendships and lasting…
Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA Director’s Update Dear Friends, 2024 is off to a running start for the Assembly of Bishops! We hired Spyridoula Fotinis as the Director of Inter-Parish Associations. Her experience working at the United Nations and with un-housed persons uniquely positions her to bring practical theology into the life of your parish. Our Mental Health Ministries continued training Clergy and Lay Leaders through Peace of Mind. The first book of The Living Well series is nearly complete with books two and three on the horizon. Your generosity started this ministry, and your continued support…
Source: UOJ The Ukrainian Orthodox Church remains the most affected religious denomination in Ukraine due to the military actions. The Institute for Religious Freedom has updated data on partially damaged or completely destroyed religious buildings as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to the IRS, at least 246 Orthodox churches have been affected, with the majority belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, viz. 187. Overall, according to the organization’s data, the number of religious buildings affected or destroyed as a result of military actions amounts to 630 objects to date. “The largest number of churches, prayer houses, synagogues, and mosques have been…