Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA On Saturday, March 29, in the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, Archbishop John (Pelushi) of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania was enthroned following his election on March 16 as the new primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania. A video of the entire enthronement ceremony can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/RadioNgjallja/videos/1858940237978503/. It was encouraging to see that all of the Local Orthodox Churches were represented at the enthronement. A description of the enthronement ceremony and the names of the representatives can be read at https://orthodoxalbania.org/2020/2025/03/29/fronezimi-i-kryepiskopit-te-ri-te-shqiperise-fortlumturise-se-tij-z-joan-ne-tirane-29-03-2025/ (official church site); https://orthodoxtimes.com/enthronement-of-the-new-archbishop-of-albania-ioannis-video/ (English article) The Ecumenical Patriarchate was represented by Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of…
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Source: Yankee Athonite by Michael Warren Davis I see that Vox published an article which, in part, scolds me for saying that Archbishop Elpidophoros—leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America—is a CIA asset: It’s why Michael Warren Davis, another Orthodox convert at the American Conservative, could directly call the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America a CIA asset without any evidence. Laypeople attacking their hierarchs is about the least “trad” thing one can do. It reveals just how little these conversions have to do with anything organic to these traditions, but are instead an act of rebellion against the American mainstream, with a…
On Looking into “Xenophobia in the Cloak of Progress – How English Liturgies Hurt the American Orthodox Church” by Katherine Kelaidis A Response by P. Stamatis, M.A. The above article appeared on the Public Orthodoxy site on March 12, 2025. At first glance, the intriguing title pulled me in to read, only to become confused by the attached sub-title: “How English Liturgies Hurt the American Orthodox Church.” If the author ascribes to the Orthodox Church in America the moniker “American,” how can using the English language hurt the Orthodox Church? That’s like saying: “How Greek Liturgies Hurt the Greek Orthodox…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to visit the United States this coming fall [2025]. The exact dates have not yet been set, but exclusive information received by The National Herald suggests that the visit may take place between September and October. Sources of The National Herald in the Phanar in Constantinople stated that “the discussions are still in the early stages, and it will take some time to finalize the dates.” Regarding the purpose of the visit, it was mentioned that “beyond its pastoral nature, it will also have a political…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos Originally published on February 22, 2025 BOSTON – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has proceeded with the recomposition of the Holy Synod of the Phanar for its next six-month period, from March 1, 2025, to August 31, 2025. From the Archdiocese of America, the newly elected Metropolitan of Atlanta, Sevastianos, will participate in this Synodal period. The Holy Synod consists of twelve members, following the model of Christ’s disciples, and convenes once a month at the Phanar under the presidency of Patriarch Bartholomew, who determines the agenda. The duration of the meetings depends on the…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity A short video produced before the 20th Anniversary Conference in Illinois summarizing Orthodox Christian Laity’s history, mission, and impact.
Source: The Orthodox Evangelist by Joseph Abbate / President – St. Symeon the New Theologian Orthodox Evangelism & Renewal If you are a member of the Orthodox Church in the United States, you cannot help but notice the large increase of people in the Church. In fact, Orthodox Christianity has grown substantially just in the past few years. Unlike the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska, which had been there for hundreds of years, many Greeks and Armenians came to this country in the early 1920’s because of the Asia Minor Disaster, when these communities were being all but wiped out…
Check your email to confirm your email address immediately after you sign the Declaration to complete the verification process. You will receive an email from Civist (info@civist.com) with the subject line: “Petition: Please confirm your signature” Otherwise, your signature will not be recorded. Thank you! CLICK HERE to view all signatures to date (updated daily) https://widget.civist.cloud/?api_url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.civist.cloud%2Ft%2F4a938619-ef43-4fa4-934c-71395afaaed1%2F#/RW1iZWRkaW5nOmMzODIyMTJiLWM0YjMtNDkyYi05YzIxLTY0ZGE2MTM3NDc4YQ== https://widget.civist.cloud/?api_url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.civist.cloud%2Ft%2F4a938619-ef43-4fa4-934c-71395afaaed1%2F#/RW1iZWRkaW5nOjJhNDNlMTBjLWNmNjItNDVhZi04MGUzLWJhYmRkOTQ0ZGFhZg== CLICK HERE to view all signatures to date (updated daily) View the Declaration’s inaugural publication in the July 5, 2022 editions of The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times Over 460 Signatures to Date – Be One of Them! See the live count…
Source: Orthodox History by Matthew Namee Originally posted on August 20, 2024 Father Alex Karloutsos may be the most influential Orthodox priest in modern history. He has spent time in every Oval Office going back to Jimmy Carter, culminating in a Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden. His connections are extraordinary – the presidents, of course, and every patriarch you can imagine, but also a range of twentieth century giants like Henry Kissinger, Elijah Muhammad, Pope John Paul II, and Blackstone founder Pete Peterson, to name four at random. Karloutsos is also incredibly polarizing, with critics viewing him as a…
Source: Orthodox Reality Do you wonder what American Orthodox Church members think of and want from their bishops? What changes in their Churches do U.S. Orthodox Christians desire the most? If so, download and read this newly released article: https://ocl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/KrindatchLaityOnDesirableChangesInBishops.pdf You will find why fewer than half of U.S. Orthodox parishioners (47%) fully approve of their bishops and express positive sentiments towards them. The article offers many insights into what bishops “should” or “should not” do from the perspective of Orthodox Christian laity. The findings presented are based on the analysis of answers to the survey question, “If you could…
Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) begins its 38th year as an independent movement, a catalyst, working in synergy with the hierarchy and clergy to develop a canonical self-governing church governed by a synod of all the canonical bishops of all jurisdictions presiding in the United States, which elects its head. OCL supports the work of the Assembly of Bishops, established in 2008, which has a similar goal. OCL believes that the clergy and laity must work synergistically with the hierarchy in church governance. Many incredibly gifted hierarchs, clergy, and wives of clergy support the OCL movement. Some serve and continue to…
Source: Amazon A new book by educator and former Illinois elected official Michael J. Bakalis is causing a growing discussion and debate among religious leaders of the Eastern Orthodox Church in the United States. Bakalis has served as Illinois State Superintendent of Education and Illinois State Comptroller. President Carter appointed him deputy undersecretary to the United States Department of Education. He later became a professor at Northwestern University and is currently the president of a not-for-profit educational management and consulting organization. Michael Bakalis’ book, A Church at the Crossroads: The Crisis in American Orthodox Christianity and the Decisions Needed for…