Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America August 29, 2022 No: 85/2022 To our beloved in the Lord, The hierarchs, priests, deacons, and spiritual children of our Holy Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, “Peace be to all!” I begin this letter with this greeting of peace, a greeting that we proclaim in every Divine Service. My desire is to express to you that we, in your Mother Church, where “the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26), are united with you always and in all circumstances, in the peace of Christ. This peace crosses all distances to reach you…
Browsing: Governance Top Stories
Source: National Catholic Register The Russian Orthodox Church will send a delegation to the congress, but Kirill will not go. CNA Staff Vatican August 25, 2022 Patriarch Kirill of Moscow will not attend an interreligious summit in Kazakhstan in September, where it was hoped he would meet with Pope Francis to discuss a peaceful resolution to the six-month-long war in Ukraine. The Pope will travel to the Central Asian nation for the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the city of Nur-Sultan on Sept. 13-15. The Russian Orthodox Church will send a delegation to the congress,…
Source: Religion News Service The renowned and popular Orthodox Christian theologian of recent decades died Wednesday (Aug. 24) at 87. By John Chryssavgis (RNS) — Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, without a doubt the most renowned and popular Orthodox Christian theologian of recent decades, died on Wednesday (Aug. 24) at 87. A convert to Orthodox faith, he became bishop of the see of Diokleia and was considered the most prolific and proficient communicator of patristic theology and Orthodox spirituality in our generation. For more than 30 years until retiring in 2001, he taught at Oxford University in England (where I studied with him…
Source: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America At the Clergy-Laity Congress, Archdiocesan Audit Committee Chair Maria Stefanis reported on the activities of the Audit Committee and the results of the 2021 financial audit. She noted that the financial audit was completed by April 26, 2022. This accomplishment is the earliest after year-end that an audit of the Archdiocese’s financial statements has ever been completed. The Audit Committee met with BDO, the independent accounting firm that has been engaged by the Audit Committee to conduct the audit, and was given the opportunity to ask questions about the financial statements, internal controls…
Source: Religion News Service While the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s letter is addressed to the Ecumenical Patriarch, the letter speaks to concerns for the entire global Orthodox Christian community. By Marika Proctor (RNS) — Metropolitan Epiphanius, the head of the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, has issued a letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, “first among equals” of Orthodox Christian leaders, asking Bartholomew to call Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, a teacher of heresy for his theological backing of the Ukraine war and deprive Kirill of his right to lead the Russian church. The letter was approved at a meeting of…
Source: Kyiv Post By Anna Neplii The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania has confirmed a ban on the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Vladimir Gundyaev (AKA ‘Patriarch Kirill’), from entering their country. This latest move is part of a continued effort by European nations to sanction Kirill over his support for Russia’s war against Ukraine. “Patriarch Kirill, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, is one of the most active supporters of the war against Ukraine,” the ministry said. “He has repeatedly publicly approved the aggression carried out by Russia.” A letter posted on the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s official…
Source: The Orthodox Church in America BALTIMORE, MD [OCA] Hundreds of delegates and visitors attending the 20th All-American Council held at the Hilton Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, MD, were able to experience many of the Sacred Treasures of the Orthodox Church in America, housed at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA. Presented by the Curator, Archpriest John J. Perich, The Exhibition featured numerous sacred and ecclesiastical items from over 225 years of the Church in North America, emphasizing the AAC theme, “Becoming Vessels of Grace”. Featured in conjunction with this Council Exhibition was a new online publication of the Department of…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America This week, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate lifted the suspension of the Charter of the Archdiocese. The charter was initially placed in abeyance, by the decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod on October 8, 2020, for the purpose of developing a new charter for the Archdiocese that would strengthen the role of the largest Eparchy of the Mother Church with a new mandate suitable for the evolving and changing modern pastoral needs of American society. The Vision for the Second Centennial: The Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was…
Source: Orthodox Christianity The Sacred Community of Mt. Athos issued a statement today in response to the international scandal surrounding Archbishop Elpidophoros’ celebration of a very public Baptism for the children of a celebrity gay couple. The Sacred Community is the spiritual administration of the Holy Mountain, consisting of one representative of each of the 20 ruling monasteries. The statement reads in full: On the occasion of the recent public appearances and positions of clerics of the Church, even hierarchs, which leave the impression that it’s possible for the Church to accept any other form of family apart from the…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Eulogy By His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America For Professor George Bebis Saint George Greek Orthodox Church July 25, 2022 Your Graces, Dear Father Paul, beloved nephews, great nephews, great nieces, and all members of the esteemed and bereaved Bebis Family, Beloved Community of Hellenic College and Holy Cross, Reverend clergy, faculty and staff, friends and loved ones, Devout members of this Church of Saint George, How worthy and right it is to pray today in this Church – pastored by the late Father Constantine Bebis, the twin brother of this legendary professor and…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America A. Antzoulatos The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations is one of the most public-facing ministries of the Archdiocese. As its name suggests, it coordinates inter-Orthodox, ecumenical and interfaith dialogues between the Archdiocese-at-large, the Archbishop, and individual Archdiocesan departments and other faith-based organizations and faith groups, academic institutions, and NGOs. Working creatively within the Orthodox tradition, it cultivates these relationships for the progress of shared goals and values. The Department works closely with the Office of the Archbishop to organize critical meetings between His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and interfaith leaders. In May 2022, for…
Source: Orthodox Church in America On July 22, 2022 during the fifth Plenary Session of the 20th All-American Council, in Baltimore, MD the youth of the AAC made a special presentation to the Holy Synod of Bishops and council delegates. The presentation began with the youth processing to the front of the council area while singing the Troparion of the Cross, “O Lord, save Thy people”. Father Benjamin Tucci, the youth program director for the AAC, thanked the Holy Synod and wider Orthodox Church in America for its support of the youth and being attentive to their needs. He further thanked all the many staff…