Source: Public Orthodoxy Originally published on June 5, 2025 A recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal “Are Americans Really Losing Their Religion?” shared results from the largest ever survey of Americans who identify as “Nones”, either atheist, agnostic or having no particular religion. While this population has grown tremendously in recent times, an interesting point came out of the data: a full two thirds of these folks say they feel drawn toward spirituality but are much more resistant to the idea of organized religion. It struck me that in this age of anxiety, mental illness and isolation people indeed yearn for a connection to…
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Source: Orthodox Church in America JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA [OCA] Between June 18 and 24, Matushka Rebecca Luft, Ph.D., of the Diocese of the Midwest, represented the Orthodox Church in America at the meeting of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches in Johannesburg, South Africa. Notably, resulting from the advocacy of Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox participants, the Central Committee produced a Minute on St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai, Egypt in which they asked the WCC General Secretary to write a formal letter to the president of Egypt expressing the WCC’s concern and “to call for a clear and binding agreement…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – Protopresbyter Athanasios Nenes, longtime presiding priest of the Taxiarchae parish in Watertown, Massachusetts, sent a letter to the parish council members and his parishioners explaining his decision to enter into a second marriage and the process that was followed. As previously reported by The National Herald, Fr. Athanasios will remarry with the canonical permission of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The report, published in both the Greek and English editions of The National Herald, was widely read not only in the United States but also internationally—across Patriarchates, Autocephalous Churches, and Metropolises, including several…
Source: The National Herald CONSTANTINOPLE – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew highlighted the spiritual significance of the recent pilgrimage titled “From Rome to New Rome,” which brought together faithful from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. The journey connected three cities of profound historical and spiritual importance to Christianity—Rome, Constantinople, and Nicaea—and served as a symbolic bridge of unity and shared faith. Speaking during a dinner held in his honor, the Ecumenical Patriarch praised the spirit of the pilgrimage and the enduring bonds of ecclesiastical fellowship it fostered. Present at the event were Archbishop Elpidophoros…
Source: International Orthodox Christian Charities On Tuesday, August 19, at 8pm EST, Outreach Coordinators Sophia Kayafas and Theodora Veronis will lead parish representatives and volunteers from across the country in an hour-long virtual workshop to share ideas, experiences, and connect with others who are passionate about IOCC’s mission. This interactive evening will include success stories, practical tips for organizing events, and inspiring updates from the field. Whether you’re new to the role or have been serving for years, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, renewed motivation, and the tools to strengthen your outreach efforts. To RSVP, email us at outreach@iocc.org or visit iocc.org/parishrepworkshop.
Source: Hellenic College | Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Eight students recently completed the biennial Asia Minor Travel Seminar, an immersive four-week academic program exploring Hellenic heritage in Asia Minor and the Pontos region, including the Black Sea coast. Funded by HCHC’s New York Life Insurance Company Center for the Study of Hellenism in partnership with the Dean C. Zoë S. Pappas Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies at Stockton University, the seminar was led by HCHC alumnus Professor Tom Papademetriou, Ph.D. of Stockton University. The seminar included students from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Stockton University,…
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Registration is open for Adult Camp at Antiochian Village for those who are 21, 51, or 101! All adults who want to spend a weekend in the beautiful natural setting of Antiochian Village Camp and grow in the Orthodox Christian Faith are welcome. This year’s dates are Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, and the featured speaker is Dr. Charles Ajalat. Charles has been active in growing Orthodoxy in North America in so many ways, as he helped start well-known ministries such as IOCC, OCMC, and FOCUS-North America. Adult campers will be blessed to learn from his wisdom and experience…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Article by Ben Malian On July 26th, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) issued a statement expressing their solidarity with the Greek Orthodox Christian community of Damascus, commending them for the resiliency of their faith in the aftermath of a terror attack that interrupted worship at the Church of the Prophet Elias on the morning of Sunday, June 22nd, killing at least twenty-two parishioners and injuring another sixty-three. “Inside the church, visible signs of the atrocity that took place on June 22 can still be seen,” the statement from the AEP reads. The statement, penned…
Source: National Catholic Reporter Faith leaders across the U.S. are hoping a bipartisan bill, recently introduced in the U.S. Senate and House, might finally bring resolution to an immigration issue that has been hindering their service to their communities for more than two years. In March 2023, the Biden administration made a sudden change in how the government processes green cards in the category that includes both abused minors and religious workers. It created new backlogs that threaten the ability of thousands of pastors, nuns, imams, cantors and others to remain in the United States. The bill only tackles one…
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Dn. Peter Samore, Director of Communications From July 21-27, His Eminence Metropolitan Saba, the Archdiocesan bishops and thousands of clergy and laity have reunited for meetings, fellowship and the divine services at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel Chicago. Follow Antiochian.org and the Archdiocese’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more content. The most recent day is posted at the top. July 27: Orthros, Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, Ordination of Subdn. Steven (Moses) Bynum to the holy diaconate, Trisagion Service (photo album) On Sunday, July 27, the final day of the 57th biennial Archdiocese Convention, His Eminence Metropolitan Saba,…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – Just days after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ recent visit to Mount Athos, the Abbot of the new brotherhood at Esphigmenou Monastery, Archimandrite Bartholomew, received death threats—both in writing and online. A threatening letter, accompanied by photos of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archimandrite Bartholomew, was posted on the door of the monastery residence housing the new brotherhood. The letter reads as follows: “THE HERESIARCH AND HIS CHILD Bartholomew, no matter how much you want to enter the monastery, you will only ever see it in photos. Stop persecuting the struggling fathers, or you’ll…
Source: Orthodox Church in America PHOENIX, AZ [OCA] On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, during the 21st All-American Council in Phoenix, AZ, the Diocese of the West convened a Special Diocesan Assembly under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Locum Tenens of the Diocese, to consider the nomination of a new bishop following the retirement of His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin on July 15. The Assembly nominated the Very Reverend Archimandrite Vasily (Permiakov) as their candidate for Bishop of San Francisco and the West. That same day, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting in a Special Summer Session under the presidency of…