Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] On June 18, 2023, the Polish Orthodox Church provided an update on the support for Ukrainian refugees made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Orthodox Church in America. A video update explained that the funds collected by the OCA enabled two separate programs of Polish language instruction for refugees in 28 groups of students across 19 locations in Poland. These groups totaled 580 students, with 535 graduates of the programs. These sessions ran from March 2022 to April 2023. His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa offered his blessing and gratitude for the programs…
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Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has initiated a process to review and revise the Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and has given its blessing to have the Archdiocese participate in that process. The Charter defines the mission and function of the Archdiocese and sets the framework for its administrative structure. The review of the Charter, designed to assess our strengths and weaknesses, and to make revisions where appropriate, is a welcome sign of a healthy and dynamic institution. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has given its blessing to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros to…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] The 16-chapter “Essential Orthodox Christian Beliefs: A Manual for Adult Instruction,” is now available for free download. A cooperative effort of the Departments of the Orthodox Church in America, the groundbreaking work is an offering to the Church to assist clergy and parishes in their work of instructing inquirers and the faithful in the truths of the Orthodox Christian Faith. This work is not meant to replace time-trusted books and publications which have taught generations but to…
Source: EXAPSALMOS By Dr. Anastasiou Vavouskou/ NATIONAL HERMIT Dr. Anastasios Vavouskos, Doctor of Ecclesiastical Law of the School of Law of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and of Archon Asikrites of M.t.CHE, with his article “intervention” in the “National Herald”, analyzes the issue of the amendment of the Statute of the Archdiocese of America . Mr. Vavouskos’ article reads as follows: For some time now, the issue of revising the Charter of the Archdiocese of America has been pending. Much has been written and even more has been heard about the probable tendencies and opinions of either the Ecumenical Patriarch and the…
Source: St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Would you like to help more people know about Orthodoxy? You can when you contribute to the publication of an upcoming SVS Press book. Each year SVS Press publishes and distributes quality, spiritually enriching Orthodox Christian material for scholars, students, clergy, Orthodox seekers, and lay people. But it is because of generous donors, who give behind the scenes, that each book gets printed. SVS Press is about to print a new book, and we would like to extend to you the remarkable opportunity to be a part of it. The upcoming book is called The…
Recent History of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Decisions Related to the GOA The recent record of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s “governance” of the GOA: The forced retirement of Archbishop Iakovos (1996); Rejection of the gathering of the Orthodox Bishops in America at Ligonier, Pennsylvania (1995); Election of Archbishop Spyridon (1997); Imposition of the current Charter against the wishes of the Los Angeles Clergy-Laity Congress (2003); Imposition of a new Archbishop from Turkey who has not served in the US, without any input or participation of the clergy or laity of the Archdiocese as required by previous Charters (2019); Unilateral “suspension” (2020) followed…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SOUTH CANAAN, PA [OCA] The 119th Annual Pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon’s Monastery was held from May 26 to May 29, 2023. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at the pilgrimage which commenced on Friday, with a welcome of the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, which was greeted at the monastery archway. The icon was then carried in procession to the monastery church, where a Service of Thanksgiving was celebrated in its honor. The day continued with Vespers and Matins, followed by a communal meal for the pilgrims. Later that evening, His Beatitude attended the commencement activities…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – Tension was created during the recent meeting of the Archdiocesan Council, which met for two days at the Westin hotel in Detroit, due to the issue of the Charter of the Archdiocese. The issue was again brought up for discussion by Archbishop Elpidophoros despite the contrary recommendations of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. According to our information, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago reacted by saying that the issue was “out of order” and emphasized that “the Patriarch told us during our meeting at the Phanar that we should not publicly discuss the issue of…
Source: Orthodox Church in America WILLIAMSPORT, PA [Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation] The Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund provides financial assistance for organizations and parishes with innovative approaches to advancing the mission of Orthodoxy in the United States. June 30 is the annual deadline for submitting grant applications, and recipients are announced in the fall of each year. Founded in 2001, the Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund is a component fund of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, located in Williamsport, PA. The foundation takes its name from the village of Ganister in Central Pennsylvania, where immigrants drawn there by…
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem / Orthodox Times On Monday, May 29, 2023, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem met under the Presidency of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and considered various issues of the Patriarchate, among which the following: The feasts of Holy Easter and the ceremony of the Holy Light of Holy Saturday. The departure to the Lord of the blessed memory Metropolitan Cornelius of Petra. Patriarch Theophilos’ recent trip to Brussels and His participation as a guest in the coronation of the King of the United Kingdom Charles III. The report of the deeds of…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, as a member of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, participated in its deliberation, which was convened on the 29th and 30th of May under the leadership of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. This regular session brought significant decisions for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Central among these decisions was the mandate given to the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to further examine the Archbishop’s proposals for a comprehensive Charter revision. Affirming the Synod’s previous decision, His…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Each year the United Nations brings women and girls from around the world together at an annual conference to discuss pressing issues related to gender equality worldwide called the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). During CSW, women and girls meet with leaders, Member States, and UN policymakers to talk about issues they are facing and how we can work together to tackle gender inequality and other issues women and girls face because of gender inequality. This year is the 67th session of CSW, and the priority theme is innovation and technological change, and…