Browsing: Governance & Unity News

Source: Orthodox Times Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki addressed a range of issues, including the place of women in modern society, the growing problem of juvenile delinquency, especially among minors, whether the Church is conservative, and reactions to same-sex marriage. In an interview with the website voria.gr, Metropolitan Philotheos emphasized his approach to dealing with the faithful. “Every issue has its place. When I preach, I explain the Gospel and speak more instructively, but when I go out for coffee and socializing, I meet people in their daily lives,” he noted. He rejects the notion that the church is conservative while…

Source: Orthodox Times Patriarch Daniel of Romania emphasized the powerful role of church music in fostering spiritual well-being as the 16th edition of the National Church Music Festival-Competition Praise the Lord took place this year, aligning with the theme of pastoral care for the sick and a commemorative year dedicated to healer saints. The festival held last Saturday evening underlined the therapeutic value of liturgical music for both singers and listeners and its profound influence on the soul. “Church music, rooted in biblical and hymnographic texts, embodies not only educational, community, and Eucharistic roles but also serves as a balm…

Source: Orthodox Times Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria addressed the unlawful intrusion of the Russian Church into the African continent during his speech in Crete, where he was honored as an honorary citizen of the Municipality of Rethymno. He emphasized, “At the Patriarchate, though few, we are boundless in spirit, raising our voices against all forms of violence, injustice, and exploitation. We do not hesitate to condemn, with a resounding voice, the illicit intervention of the Russian Church, which has regrettably disregarded every principle of ecclesiastical law and order. Through secular methods and financial influence, it seeks to undermine what our Fathers…

Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA On October 26, 2024, the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church issued its Final Document on the subject, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.”  At the present time, the Final Document is only available in Italian and can be read at https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/news/2024-10-26_final-document/ITA—Documento-finale-26.10.pdf .  Official translations in other languages will be available in the near future.  However, in the meantime, I have attached a Google English translation of the Final Document. The Final Document is the culmination of a long process that began three years ago and included consultations at…

Source: Orthodox Times On Friday, October 25, 2024, in the Aula Magna “Teoctist Patriarch” of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel of Romania, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held a working session. Following the elections of the Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland, the Holy Synod adopted several decisions regarding pastoral care for Romanians in the country and abroad. Among these were the following: The year 2026 has been designated as “The Tribute Year of the Christian Family Pastorate” and “The Commemorative…

Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle WA On October 22, 2024, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate met at the Phanar.  The Ecumenical Patriarchate uses a 6-month rotation system for Synod members.  The members of the Synod as of the October 22 meeting are listed at https://orthodoxtimes.com/new-composition-of-holy-and-sacred-synod-of-the-ecumenical-patriarchate/#:~:text=In%20line%20with%20the%20standard,presidency%20of%20Ecumenical%20Patriarch%20Bartholomew.  The press release for the first day of this meeting is found at https://ec-patr.org/%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%ba%ce%bf%ce%b9%ce%bd%cf%89%ce%b8%ce%ad%ce%bd-%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%b1-%cf%84%ce%b9%cf%82-%ce%b5%cf%81%ce%b3%ce%b1%cf%83%ce%af%ce%b5%cf%82-%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%b1%ce%b3%ce%af%ce%b1-29/  This release includes the following statement:  “During the midday break of work, the Patriarch and the members of the holy body received with cordiality and honor the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, His Excellency Mr. Andrii Sybiha  and his colleagues, after…

Source: Orthodox Church in America BURR RIDGE, IL [OCA]  Between October 21 and 24, 2024, a canonical procedures conference of the Orthodox Church in America was held in Burr Ridge, IL. The conference was hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest and took place at St. Peter and St. Paul Church. Earlier this year, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America requested that the conference be held as part of the process of reviewing, revising, and further developing ecclesiastical court procedures across the various dioceses of the OCA. Daily sessions were led by His Eminence…

Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA On October 20, a very important election was held in Moldova.  In the election for president, the current president Maia Sandu received 42% of the vote and will face a November 3 runoff against Alexandr Stoianoglo, who received 26%.  However, the greatest media attention has been focused on a referendum which posed the following question to the voters:  “Do you support the amendment of the Constitution with a view to the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union?”  With almost all of the votes counted, the “yes” votes are prevailing by an…

Source: Public Orthodoxy Varvara Gulina Doctoral Student at San Diego State University Imagine a young woman who has just been sexually assaulted by a priest during confession. Leaving what was meant to be a sacred experience, she feels lost and unsure of whom to turn to in her parish, wondering if anyone would truly understand or believe her. Now picture another woman enduring domestic violence at home; after mustering the courage to confide in a bishop, she is met with the suggestion that she simply needs a change of scenery, leaving her feeling invalidated and dismissed. Envision a young woman…

Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA At the invitation of Pope Tawadros II, primate of the Coptic Church, a meeting was held last month between representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (sometimes referred to as the Ancient Oriental Churches) and the Orthodox Churches.   In my opinion, this was an extremely important meeting, although it has received very little attention in the media.  As you know, the Oriental Orthodox Churches are those churches that did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (451) but accepted the prior three ecumenical councils.  The Orthodox Churches are those that did accept the Council and follow the…

CLICK HERE to view and download the PDF of the above flier. If you are not able to attend in person, register to participate live via ZOOM at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtcuurqzstG9fHQtDDpwqZwG28ptvgb30d After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. OCL ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROGRAM 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.:  Registration and continental breakfast 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.:  Archbishop Nathaniel will open the Meeting with a prayer.  An OCL Board member will introduce Fr. Nick Anton. 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.:  Fr. Anton will deliver his address on the theme: Inter-Parish Associations and Dialogue Across Orthodox…

Source: International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) As Hurricane Helene has made landfall in the southeastern US, millions are being impacted by the storm’s devastation. Many individuals and families have been forced to evacuate their homes and find shelter, while many more find themselves in need of food and other essential items. IOCC staff have mobilized, with Frontline and Action Team members currently positioning themselves to respond to areas of greatest need. Your help is urgently needed. A gift to IOCC’s US Emergency Response Fund allows IOCC to mobilize aid quickly and effectively. Your generosity helps address immediate needs following crises…