Source: Ekathimerini.com Manolis Kostidis The Turkish government has decided to start long-term maintenance and repairs of the former Orthodox Christian cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which was converted into a mosque, after scientists discovered significant damage both inside and outside the 6th century Byzantine monument. Some experts are discussing a lengthy project that might take decades to complete. However, there is concern among some circles in Turkey who suspect that there may be political expediency behind this decision, so that Hagia Sophia is closed for a long period of time and does not function as a mosque. Political analysts…
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Source: Public Orthodoxy Hieromonk Athanasius (Bukin) On February 7th, 2023, still a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, I boarded a plane and left the Holy Land, where I was serving as a member of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (REM). Only after landing in Antalya (Turkey) did I publish a post on social media in which I announced my departure from the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and my intention not to return to Russia. This was preceded by months of heavy reflection and, I will not hide, moral uncertainty. I became a practicing Orthodox Christian in 2008, when…
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America After a summer break, the new September/October 2023 edition of The WORD magazine is now available online and includes the following: The Addresses of His Eminence Metropolitan Saba and His Beatitude Patriarch John X to the General Assembly of the 56th Archdiocese Convention With My Body I Thee Worship by Fr. John Fenton The 56th Biennial Archdiocese Convention by Dn. Peter Samore We Become What We Contemplate by Fr. Peter Andrew Kavanaugh Image and Likeness in Every Generation by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt Nothing Gold Can Stay by Fr. John Oliver Also: an outstanding Oratorical Festival speech by Judges’ Choice awardee Sarah…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA On September 1, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated at the Phanar the Feast of Indiction, which marks the beginning of the church year. September 1 is also the Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Environment, instituted by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios in 1989. The Ecumenical Patriarch’s letter for this year can be read in English at https://ec-patr.org/patriarchal-message-for-the-beginning-of-the-ecclesiastical-year-and-the-solemn-day-of-prayers-for-natural-environment-1st-september-2023/. This year’s letter includes a paragraph devoted to the “horrible ecological devastation” caused by the war in Ukraine. In view of the fact that “the people and ecosystem of Ukraine have undergone and continue to undergo…
Source: Orthodox Youth and Young Adult Ministries PDF of OYM Ministries Flyer for Parishes With approximately 60% of youth leaving the church once they become adults, it’s vital for everyone – clergy, lay leaders, parents, and other caring adults – to work together in helping our young people find joy in Christ and become full participants in the life of the Church. The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops has designated September 24, 2023, as Orthodox Youth & Young Adult Ministries (OYM) Sunday. See the Assembly’s OYM Sunday Encyclical by Bishop Thomas, OYM’s episcopal liaison. (PDF of Encyclical available here) OYM comes alongside parishes, priests, parents,…
Source: Orthodox Times The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) in Chicago’s Greektown neighborhood is hosting the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s centennial exhibit Legacy, Renewal & Unity: Celebrating 100 Years of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, from September 16, 2023, through February 11, 2024. Last year, members of the Greek Orthodox church and community came together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Archdiocese (1922-2022), the legacy of the church and the breadth of the organization’s impact. The exhibit was designed to help people from both within and outside of the Greek community understand and celebrate the history of the…
Source: Anadolu Ajansı by Ihvan Radoykov Teaching of religion is instrumental in prevention of violence, spiritual-moral training of students, says church SOFIA, Bulgaria – The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has demanded that religious education be made compulsory in school curriculums, saying it will be beneficial to students. The ruling body of the church, the Synod, sent a written request saying that compulsory religious education is important in “the prevention of violence, the spiritual-moral training of the students, and the raising of the nation’s spirituality.” The Bulgarian Constitution recognizes Orthodox Christianity as the official religion of the country, stating that “Eastern Orthodox Christianity…
Source: Ecumenical Patriarchate Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos received on Tuesday, August 29, in Fanari, the participants of the scientific meeting “Partnerships in Action: towards One Earth, One Family, One Future”. His Holiness, welcoming them to the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, referred to the historical development of the institution, its multidimensional ministry, as well as the canonically defined and sanctified through centuries of ecclesiastical tradition and practical responsibilities of the Patriarchal Church of Orthodoxy. He made special reference to the convocation of the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church, in Crete, in 2016, which, as he noted, renewed the Orthodox…
Source: The National Herald SOUTHAMPTON, NY – In an interview featured on 27east.com, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Father Alexander Karloutsos spoke about the war in Ukraine. Tom Gogola’s article begins by noting that, “the war in Ukraine may be thousands of miles away, but it hits close to home for Father Alex Karloutsos of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons in Shinnecock Hills.” Gogola writes that, “Karloutsos is joining his church colleagues in decrying the punishment, he says, of hundreds of Russian-based clergymen in the Russian Orthodox Church who have opposed the war…
Source: The National by Anjana Sankar New facility to cater for increase in worshippers The St George Orthodox Cathedral building in Mushrif was demolished in September last year. A foundation stone was laid for the new one and construction started in December. Church authorities said nearly 40 per cent of the building work is complete. Meanwhile, regular services are being held in a purpose-built hall next to the construction site. Rev Father Eldho Paul, the vicar at St George’s, told The National that worshippers will be able to pray in the new cathedral by May next year. With an estimated cost of…
Source: Christian Network Europe The Latvian state broadcaster refuses to broadcast Orthodox worship services any longer. It implemented the ban after nuns prayed for the Russian Patriarch Kirill. The broadcaster, LTV discovered the prayer for Kirill during the recording of an Orthodox service at a branch of the Riga Holy Trinity Sergius Convent in Valgunda, Jauns writes. Praying for the Russian Patriarch is controversial because of his support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In response, LTV decided to stop streaming all Orthodox church services. According to LTV editor-in-chief Sigita Roque, praying for Kirill contradicts the values of the LTV but also…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA The Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary (“KTA”) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) is moving from the Kyiv Lower Lavra to the Pokrovsky Holosiiv Monastery, which is located 7 km. southwest of the Lavra. (Holosiiv is the district of Kyiv where the Monastery is located.) The Monastery is also approximately 2-1/2 km. from Feofania where Metropolitan Onufry resides. The Monastery was fairly recently restored. The website of the Monastery can be viewed at http://goloseevo.com.ua/?lang=uk. As can be seen from the photos on the website, the Monastery is a large and attractive complex. A photo of the Monastery is also…