Source: Orthodox Church in America BETHESDA, MD [OCA] On Tuesday, March 15, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting in their Regular Spring 2022 Session under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, canonically elected His Grace Bishop Alexis, formerly Bishop of Bethesda and Auxiliary to the Metropolitan for Stravropegial Institutions, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska.
Source: Orthodox Times The use of Church symbols in the Russian struggle to conquer Ukraine continues. This time, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Russian National Guard leader Viktor Zolotov pinned their hopes on a “quick” victory over the Ukrainians in an image of the Virgin Mary, which the Patriarch presented to Zolotov during the service. “We believe this image will protect the Russian army and bring our victory faster,” the top military official told Patriarch Kirill at the Church of the Savior in Moscow. As he noted, “things are not going as fast as we would like”. The commander justified…
Source: The Guardian Clergy takes ‘difficult decision’ to cut ties with the Moscow patriarchate over the invasion of Ukraine A Russian Orthodox church in Amsterdam has announced it is to split with the Moscow patriarchate, in the first known instance of a western-based church cutting ties over the invasion of Ukraine. “The clergy unanimously announced that it is no longer possible for them to function within the Moscow patriarchate and provide a spiritually safe environment for our faithful,” the clergy said in a statement posted on its website. “This decision is extremely painful and difficult for all concerned.” The head of the Russian…
Source: Orthodox Church in America BURBANK, IL [OCA] This past week, His Eminence Archbishop Paul was diagnosed with Multiforme Glioblastoma, an aggressive, incurable brain cancer. His Eminence has chosen to work with his oncologists in order to slow the progress of his cancer, for as long as possible, through radiation and chemotherapy. The clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America are asked to increase their prayers for His Eminence during this trying time. The work of His Eminence will continue through the Chancery staff as usual. May God grant His Eminence peace, safety, honor, health, and length of days,…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] On Sunday, March 13, the first Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Archpriest Daniel Andrejuk, Dean of the Representation Church of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr in Moscow, was invited, as it is customary, to the concelebration at Christ the Savior Cathedral presided by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon took the opportunity of this invitation to have Father Daniel personally deliver a letter to officials within the Moscow Patriarchate for His Holiness imploring him to do what he can to end the war in Ukraine and the suffering and…
Source: The National Herald NEW YORK – The Clergy-Laity Congress Committee, under the direction of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and Co-Chaired by Chrysanthy Demos and Nick Karacostas, continues its preparation of this summer’s Centennial Congress. While preparing this historic Centennial Congress, His Eminence’s theme of ‘Legacy, Renewal, Unity’ has been built into all parts of the program. The official schedule of events is as follows: June 30th – July 4: National Young Adult Conference Fourth of July Weekend will offer young adults from all over the country an opportunity to gather in New York City for a weekend of fellowship…
Source: World Council of Churches In a 10 March letter, H.H. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia responded to a letter sent 2 March by World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca asking Patriarch Kirill to mediate so that the war can be stopped. Letter from Archpriest Ioan Sauca Geneva, 2 March 2022 His Holiness Kirill Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Russian Orthodox Church Your Holiness, It is with great pain and with a breaking heart that I am writing to Your Holiness. The tragic situation of the war in Ukraine has…
Introductory lecture in “Consultation of Orthodox Youth Workers”, Bossey, Switzerland, 27/03-02/04, 1999 By Manos Koumbarelis “It is no small thing for 28 Orthodox youth from nine different countries to gather together abroad. Indeed, this happened in Geneva, from 8 to 13 January [1949]. Five days, immersed in an indescribable atmosphere of the One Church of Christ. All Orthodox. Every morning a liturgy in Arabic, Greek, and Russian. In the evening, compline. A continuous state of prayer and dedication, creating a sacred environment within which many difficult discussions were taking place in a wonderful way. What are we, the Orthodox, going…
Source: The Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] Dear beloved children in the Lord, It is with profound pain and sorrow that we see the situation unfolding in Ukraine. The invasion of Russian troops has already caused death and destruction in many areas of the country and, as the battle progresses, the human cost continues to rise. It is heartbreaking to see the images of destroyed buildings, homes, and traffic jams as refugees flee the cities for their safety. As Orthodox Christians we are expected to help those who are suffering and give comfort to the afflicted. The Apostle…
Source: Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA GOD IS WITH US! CHRIST IS AMONGST US! HE IS AND ALWAYS SHALL BE! These ancient Christian greetings are so necessary for us all to embrace in hope and love, with a sense of deep concern and an unfathomable desire for peace, as the world watches the news reports from Ukraine and around the world concerning yet another threat from Russian leadership. The scare and intimidation tactics with the presence of the armed vehicles and over a hundred thousand of soldiers around the borders of Ukraine combined with systematic cyber attacks at all…
Source: International Orthodox Christian Charities Agency Sets $1 Million Fundraising Goal for Immediate and Long-Term Support Baltimore, Md. (February 28, 2022) – The humanitarian and development agency International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding to needs created by the conflict in Ukraine. Given the enormity of the crisis, IOCC has launched a campaign to raise at least $1 million dollars in private donations to support this work. In response to the crisis in Ukraine, IOCC is working with partners in country and across the region to help address immediate needs, while looking ahead and planning for longer-term response. Initial efforts…
Source: Interfax Moscow, February 28, Interfax – Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in his Sunday sermon after Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior said that he prayed for peace in the Russian land that includes “Ukraine, Byelorussia and Russia.” “May the Lord preserve the Russian land. When I say “Russian”, I use the ancient expression from “A Tale of Bygone Years” – “Wherefrom has the Russian land come”, the land which now includes Russia and Ukraine and Belarus and other tribes and peoples,” he said addressing the parishioners. He also called on all believers of…