Source: Orthodox Christianity The Sacred Community of Mount Athos has announced new measures regarding pilgrims’ access, which will come into effect from January 1, 2025. The decision was made due to the increasing number of visitors, as well as to avoid disturbing the monastic life and prayer schedule, reports the Basilica News Agency. According to the new rules, the maximum number of pilgrims that can be accommodated in the monasteries and monastic settlements of the Holy Mountain will be strictly limited as follows: For cenobitic holy sketes: maximum 200 pilgrims per month For kyriakon (central churches) of other sketes: maximum 50…
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Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America CLICK HERE or on the video below GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA ARCHEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL Prot. No. 442/2024 Archepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of Christmas December 25, 2024 Unto the Most Reverend and Right Reverend Hierarchs, Pious Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils, Honorable Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Members of Leadership 100, the Day and Afternoon Schools, Philoptochos Societies, Youth, Greek Orthodox Organizations, and entirety of the Christ-loving Plenitude of the Sacred Archdiocese of America: And the [star] led the Magi to You, who worshipped You…
Source: Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America ARCHPASTORAL LETTER 2024 ✙ NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Beloved Spiritual Children in Christ, Reverend Clergy, Devout Faithful and Venerable Monastics of our God-protected Episcopate: May God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit grant you grace and peace, and from us, hierarchal blessings! “…in our own time, the last days, [God the Father] has spoken to us through His Son, the Son that He has appointed to inherit everything and through whom He made everything there is” (Saint Paul to the Hebrews 1:2). Dearly Beloved in Christ: Christ is born!…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA At the Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus on December 15, Patriarch John X of Antioch delivered an inspiring and eloquent homily describing his vision for the future of Syria. The complete text in English can be read at https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/en/page/Sermon%20of%20Patriarch%20John%20X%20Sunday%20Liturgy%2015-12-2024/2782/. Although one should read the entire homily, the following is an excerpt: We stand on the threshold of a new phase, perceiving the dawn of a homeland we all love and cherish. We are on the brink of renewal, which we desire to be radiant with hope and crowned with light. Here…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Princeton, NJ: The American School of Classical Studies at Athens is pleased to announce that the Overseers of the Gennadius Library have selected the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Gennadius Prize. This highest honor of the Gennadius Library recognizes outstanding contributions to Greek learning and Hellenism. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has existed continuously since the 4th century CE and is recognized as the spiritual and administrative center of the Eastern Orthodox world. It has contributed to the preservation of Greek (the language of the Gospels and the…
Source: America – The Jesuit Review Justin McLellan – Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For the first time, women will serve on the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod, the committee that oversees implementation of the most recent synod and prepares the next assembly. The Vatican announced Dec. 13 Pope Francis’ nomination of four members to the 16th Ordinary Council of the Vatican synod office. Among his choices are: Consolata Missionary Sister Simona Brambilla, secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and María Lía Zervino, a member of…
Source: Orthodox Church in America The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has announced the upcoming retirement of His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin, Archbishop of San Francisco and the West. In a letter read before the Synod at its recent session, His Eminence asked the Holy Synod to accept his retirement, taking effect on July 15, 2025, the second day of the 21st All-American Council in Phoenix, AZ. With gratitude for his many years of service, the Holy Synod received and accepted his letter, expressing their appreciation for His Eminence’s tireless commitment to Christ’s Church and the faithful of the…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, today announced several significant leadership appointments that will take effect January 1, 2025. Archpriest Alexander Rentel, who has served as Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America since January 2019, has been appointed as rector of Three Hierarchs Chapel in Yonkers, NY. In his appointment, Fr. Alexander will simultaneously resume his teaching position at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he has been a distinguished faculty member since 2004. In his expanded role at the Seminary, Fr. Alexander has also accepted…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America With great joy and emotion, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was informed today, following a related telegram from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, of the unanimous election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela as the new Metropolitan of Atlanta. The same joy and emotion fill the hearts of the entire hierarchy, the holy clergy, and the faithful of the Holy Archdiocese, especially those of the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta, which has gained a new shepherd in the person of the beloved Metropolitan…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Videos courtesy of William Caras, OCL Vice-President Inter-Parish Associations (IPA) Presentation and Q & A Rev. Fr. Nicholas Anton, Director of Operations of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA, and Spyridoula Fotinis, Director of the Inter-Parish Associations (IPA) Project of the Assembly of Bishops, present the IPA program and its progress since its inception. A short question and answer session follows (question posed by Fr. Nicholas Greanias) before the Panel Discussion (a separate video) with panelists Metropolitan Nicholas (Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit), Archbishop Nathaniel (Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America), and Fr. Nicholas…
Source: Basilica.ro Originally published on October 26, 2024 by Aurelian Iftimiu The working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was conducted on Friday, October 25, 2024, in the Aula Magna “Patriarch Teoctist” of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. Following the elections for the Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland, the Holy Synod adopted several resolutions concerning pastoral care for Romanians in the country and abroad, including the following: The year 2026 was declared the “Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the…
Source: Basilica.ro by Aurelian Iftimiu The Romanian Orthodox Church urges prayer, calm, and discernment amidst the ongoing parliamentary and presidential elections. We firmly reject any forms of behaviour that incite division or hatred and emphasize the need for dialogue throughout society to foster peace, mutual respect, and responsibility. This period, coinciding with the Nativity Fast, calls us to exhibit healthy conduct rooted in openness, understanding, solidarity, and communion. As an expression of freedom of conscience, each person’s vote faithfully reflects their shared values and beliefs. Voting should never serve as a source of social unrest but rather as the natural exercise of a…