Source: Orthodox Observer On Monday, September 15, 2025, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met at the White House with His Excellency Mr. Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, who is the sixth President he has visited. The meeting in the Oval Office, which lasted more than half an hour, was conducted in a very cordial atmosphere, with His Excellency the President expressing great interest in the various initiatives and ministry of the Ecumenical Throne, as well as in the life of Christians in Türkiye. During the discussion, His All-Holiness congratulated His Excellency the President for his initiatives…
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Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – From now on, the entrance of service dogs into churches across the Archdiocese in the U.S. will be permitted – meaning specially trained dogs that accompany and guide people with special needs, such as the blind. To this end, a decision was made during the recent meeting of the Archdiocesan Eparchial Synod on Saturday, September 13, at Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, MA allowing service dogs to enter churches during the Divine Liturgy and other sacred services. Specifically, Archbishop Elpidophoros invited two Archdiocesan staff members –…
Source: The National Herald PRINCETON, NJ – In honor of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to the United States commencing September 14, the Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens has released its latest short film featuring a personal reflection by His All-Holiness. In this extraordinary piece, the Ecumenical Patriarch contemplates the enduring richness and resilience of Greek language, culture, and thought, and their continuing relevance in today’s world. Selections from this interview were featured in the short film, ‘Guardians of Hellenism: The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople’ which premiered at the American School’s Gala this…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] The Orthodox Church in America announces the reorganization and expansion of the Clergy Wives Ministry under the Office of Pastoral Life. This transition affirms the Church’s ongoing commitment to supporting clergy wives and their families. It also brings the Clergy Wives Ministry into alignment with the other established programs of the Office of Pastoral Life and consistent with the structure of other departments and offices of the Orthodox Church in America. In this way, the ministry is being elevated to a higher and more intentional level, ensuring that it will continue with the same seriousness…
Source: The National Herald CHERRY HILL, NJ – Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne, Fr. Steven J. Vlahos will observe and celebrate the 61st anniversary of his ordination to the Orthodox Church Priesthood on Sunday, September 14. On September 13 and 14, 1964, Fr. Vlahos was ordained to the diaconate and presbyterate by Metropolitan Iakovos of Philadelphia at Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Chicago, Illinois. Fr. Vlahos was married on August 16, 1964 to Chrysi Hondroulis, daughter of Emmanuel and Bessie Hondroulis of Baltimore at the Washington Cathedral of St. Sophia. Fr. Vlahos and Presvytera Chrysi are the parents of…
Source: Orthodox Christian Studies Center – Fordham University Click here or on the image below to view the PDF
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America As our children go back to school, our youth fill our parish classrooms on Sunday, and we begin the Ecclesiastical Year, the Sept.-Oct. edition of The WORD is now available online and offers the following articles for our spiritual nourishment: Download the PDF Keynote Address at the General Assembly by His Eminence Metropolitan Saba The Philokalia: The Spiritual Life of the Priest by Metropolitan Basilios of Australia & New Zealand The Gospel in the Ashes by Fr. Samer Youssef Oratorical Festival Judges’ Choice 2025 by Sophia Griffith News from the Archdiocese Office: information about Board of…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] The Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life has announced that its Clergy Wives Ministry has been awarded a grant of $3,000 from the Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. The first-ever In-Person Clergy Wives Retreat is scheduled to take place at St. Tikhon’s Monastery from July 27–30, 2026. The grant will help fund rooms for approximately forty of the clergy wives attendees from across the Orthodox Church in America, making participation more accessible for clergy wives who may not otherwise be able to come. The Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund supports…
Source: Orthodox Church in America WASHINGTON, DC [OCA] On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon concelebrated the primatial Divine Liturgy with His Beatitude Archbishop Stefan of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric, marking the formal recognition of the newest local autocephalous church by the Orthodox Church in America. Upon the arrival of Archbishop Stefan in Washington on Monday, September 1, Metropolitan Tikhon hosted him and part of his delegation for a private dinner, at which the two Primates had an opportunity to discuss the life of their two Churches, future cooperations, and issues of common interest, especially in the…
Source: St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary In recent months, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has made historic investments into its campus. The major campus-wide improvements are part of the Seminary’s renewed commitment to remain at its current location in the Crestwood neighborhood of Yonkers, NY. “Investing in our campus is really about investing in our seminarians, faculty, staff, and their families,” said SVOTS Dean Dr. Ionuţ-Alexandru Tudorie. “We have a responsibility to them to keep our campus and facilities updated and improved as part of the overall experience of living, being formed, and worshiping here.” The Three Hierarchs Chapel steps…
Source: Suprasl: A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth SUPRASL, Poland – On the first day of the Ecclesiastical New Year, September 1, 2025, SUPRASL: A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth will initiate a worldwide prayer campaign for the unity of the Orthodox Church and for God’s creation. The campaign, an idea of the participants of the fourth annual SUPRASL World Gathering which took place this past July in Supraśl, Poland, calls upon the entire faithful—hierarchs, clergy, and laity—to unite in daily prayer at a common hour. The initiative draws direct inspiration from a prayer campaign for Orthodox missions launched…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] The OCA Department of Christian Education has released five more lessons at three grade levels in the “Blessed is the Kingdom” series, a new school-age curriculum based on themes presented in the popular “Essential Orthodox Christian Beliefs,” assisting parishes and Church School teachers in the formation of Orthodox Christian students. The project’s goal is to provide 32 lessons, at five grade levels: preschool, kindgergarten through second grade, third grade through fifth grade, and middle school. A high school curriculum is also being developed based closely on the original text of EOCB. The development of this school-age…