Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] On January 14-16, 2025, the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF), Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy (ECVAC), and the Armed Forces Chaplains Board were held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. Archpriest Theodore Boback, Dean and Executive Director of the Orthodox Church in America Military and VAMC Chaplaincies participated in the three meetings. Due to prior commitments, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Ecclesiastical Endorser of the Orthodox Church in America Military and VA Chaplains, was unable to attend this year’s gathering. The first sessions began on Tuesday afternoon. The…
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Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] The Orthodox Church in America invites exhibitors to participate in the 21st All-American Council (AAC), to be held from July 14-18, 2025, at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, AZ. This event provides an excellent opportunity for exhibitors to connect with clergy, lay delegates, and attendees from across the Orthodox Church in America to showcase products, services, and ministries that support the life of the Church. Exhibit Opportunities The AAC Exhibit Hall will be a focal point of activity throughout the Council, with opportunities for attendees to explore the exhibits during breaks, meals, and…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – His Beatitude Archbishop Georgios of New Justiniana and All Cyprus, in an interview with The National Herald, spoke openly and dynamically about the state of the Cyprus issue. He noted that the New Year finds the situation “not just stagnant,” but, after half a century, said, “we are worse off because we made concessions that the Turks demanded every time.” He discussed the revival of the unified defense doctrine between Greece and Cyprus, stating, “the goals of Turkey are the same. both in Greek territory and in Cyprus.” Regarding the division…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – In the presence of leaders of the Greek-American community and representatives of the governments of Greece and Cyprus as well as Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the entrhronement of Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta was held on January 25 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia. The full text of the Metropolitan’s enthronement speech follows: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Thank you for honoring me with your presence. As I give thanks to God for all His blessings, I ponder the words of the Psalmist, “What shall I give back to…
Source: Orthodox Church in America WASHINGTON, DC [OCA] On January 23–24, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon participated in the annual March for Life events in Washington, DC. On the morning of Thursday, January 23, Metropolitan Tikhon met with Ms. Emily Yocum (Wilkinson), President and Executive Director of Orthodox Christians for Life, and Ms. Sophia Lyda, Program Coordinator, at the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America in Springfield, VA. Their discussion covered various topics, including the long-term goals of Orthodox Christians for Life, educational initiatives, and ongoing pro-life ministries. At the conclusion of the meeting, His Beatitude was presented with an icon of…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] The Orthodox Church in America has announced the opening of registration for the 21st All-American Council (AAC), which will take place from July 14-18, 2025, at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, AZ. All clergy and faithful are invited to participate with this year’s theme being “Gathered Together By Christ.” The All-American Council is the highest legislative and administrative gathering of the Orthodox Church in America. It is a time for our Church to come together to focus on worship and engaging in the conciliar decision-making process. It is also our opportunity for spiritual…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Prot. No. 449/2024 Archepiscopal Encyclical on the New Year January 1, 2025 Unto the Most Reverend and Right Reverend Hierarchs, Pious Priests and Deacons, Monks and Nuns, Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils, Honorable Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Members of Leadership 100, Day and Afternoon Schools, Philoptochos Societies, Youth, Greek Orthodox Organizations, and the entirety of the Christ-loving Plenitude of the Sacred Archdiocese of America: In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. (The Symbol of the Faith) Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, As we enter into the New Year of 2025,…
Source: Suprasl – A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth Dear Friends, Today, we close out our second full year of ministry to and with Orthodox youth around the world. As we reflect on all we have accomplished since beginning our work in late 2022, we are grateful to our Lord for having been given the opportunity to help Orthodox young people around the world uncover and live their unity in Jesus Christ. We have met so many wonderful young people this year through our projects who have motivated and encouraged our work. But it was this quote from one of…
Source: Orthodox Times On December 29, 2024, the Patriarchs and Heads of Christian Churches in Syria released a historic joint statement from Damascus, addressing the nation and the international community during a period of significant transition for Syria. “At this historic moment, as Syria undergoes a new transition, we address the public with a message of love and hope,” the leaders declared, emphasizing their responsibility to advocate for peace and unity during the Holy Nativity season. The statement highlighted the role of Christians in fostering national reconciliation, advocating for economic relief, contributing to constitutional reform, and maintaining hope for Syria’s…
Source: Jerusalem Patriarchate The Holy Synod was convened on Thursday, December 26, 2024, and was presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III. Guided by the suggestions of His Beatitude, the Holy Synod undertook the following decisions: 1. To convene a Theological Conference in the Monastery of the Holy Cross, in memory and honour of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea in Constantinople, which denounced Arianism as a heresy and enshrined the divinity of Christ by invoking the term Homoousion (Greek: “same in being, same in essence”) in a statement of faith known as the Creed…
Source: Orthodox Times On December 26, 2024, Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland met with the newly elected Central Board of the Orthodox Youth Brotherhood in Poland. Prior to the meeting, members of the Board began their term with a prayer service at the academic chapel dedicated to Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Warsaw. The service was conducted by the spiritual advisor of the Central Board, Archpriest Paweł Szwed. During the meeting, the youth introduced themselves to His Eminence, presented their action plan for the coming year, and received valuable advice regarding the Brotherhood’s current affairs and its proper…
Source: Novaya Gazeta The Russian Orthodox Church’s supreme administrative body has decided to remove the scandal-prone head of its Budapest and Hungarian Diocese, the church’s Holy Synod announced on Friday. Grigory Alfeyev, who took the religious name Metropolitan Hilarion, was temporarily suspended by the body in July following an investigation by Novaya Gazeta Europe that uncovered evidence of misconduct in both his financial and personal affairs. As the head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department of External Church Relations since 2009, Hilarion had been touted as a possible successor to Patriarch Kirill, the current head of the church, until he was…