Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA Normally, the election of a new member of the Holy Synod of a Local Orthodox Church would not be considered important news. However, in Bulgaria, it is important. The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Patriarchate is sharply divided into two wings. One wing favors the Ecumenical Patriarch and the recognition of the OCU. Its primary members are Metropolitans Nikolai, Anthony, Naum, Cyprian, Yakov, and Arseny. The other wing is headed by Patriarch Daniil and does not recognize the actions of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine. Each new Synod member can have an effect on the…
Browsing: Governance & Unity News
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Source: Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Stewardship, Outreach, and Evangelism Mission Our mission is to provide parish leadership with practical tools and training to engage active and inactive members, inquirers and those unaware of Orthodox Christianity personally in order that they learn more about the faith and ministries of the Greek Orthodox Church, leading them to become fully committed members of the Body of Christ, actively participating in and supporting the ministries of the local parish, the Metropolis and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Efforts are made to coordinate programs and initiatives…
Source: Orthodox Christian Mission Center On Thursday, January 30, Fr. Martin Ritsi, Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, led a delegation of Mission Center Board, staff, and missionaries at the funeral service commemorating the life and falling asleep of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania at the Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Tirana, Albania. Fr. Martin––together with Board member and former missionary, Fr. Luke Veronis, and Assistant Missionary Director, Rev. Dr. Stephanos Ritsi––participated in the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Funeral, and Interment services with Orthodox clergy from throughout the world. His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,…
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…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Melpomeni N. Murdakes, Director of Parish Planned Giving They knew they should do it, but like so many other tasks completing their estate plan kept getting overlooked. Until they gathered with fellow parishioners to learn how their plan could impact their parish for generations to come. The parish had an established endowment, but few were aware of the potential. Moments like these have been taking place across our Archdiocese as the Parish Planned Giving team has taken the tools and resources on the road. As the faithful gather, young and older alike seek to…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA The Liturgy and Funeral Service for Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, was held on January 30 in the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana. The entire Liturgy and Funeral Service can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs02Sn76bxE . Six primates of the Local Orthodox Churches were present: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Ecumenical Patriarchate); Patriarch Theodoros (Patriarchate of Alexandria); Patriarch Theophilos (Patriarchate of Jerusalem); Patriarch Daniil (Patriarchate of Bulgaria); Archbishop George (Church of Cyprus); and Archbishop Ieronymos (Church of Greece). The Moscow Patriarchate was represented by Metropolitan Anthony of…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – The treasurer of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Elaine Allen, who has assumed multiple responsibilities at the Archdiocese and reportedly offers her services voluntarily, without compensation, has, according to information obtained by The National Herald, also undertaken the task of addressing financial and administrative matters at Hellenic College – Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. Allen was present at the School from Tuesday, January 21, 2025 to Friday, January 24. During her time there, she met with the School’s president, Dr. Demetrios Katos, as well as…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] On January 14-16, 2025, the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF), Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy (ECVAC), and the Armed Forces Chaplains Board were held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. Archpriest Theodore Boback, Dean and Executive Director of the Orthodox Church in America Military and VAMC Chaplaincies participated in the three meetings. Due to prior commitments, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Ecclesiastical Endorser of the Orthodox Church in America Military and VA Chaplains, was unable to attend this year’s gathering. The first sessions began on Tuesday afternoon. The…
Source: The National Herald Analysis by Theodore Kalmoukos The passing and particularly the Funeral Service of the late Archbishop Anastasios of Albania offers a unique opportunity to begin a new chapter in the restoration of the unity of the divided Orthodox Church in the world. Let me address the issue: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was the first to express his intention to travel to Albania for Anastasios’ funeral service—a decision both correct and commendable. In the face of the enigma and universal reality of death, everything else must take a secondary position, or relationships and stances must be reassessed. I am…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA] The Orthodox Church in America invites exhibitors to participate in the 21st All-American Council (AAC), to be held from July 14-18, 2025, at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, AZ. This event provides an excellent opportunity for exhibitors to connect with clergy, lay delegates, and attendees from across the Orthodox Church in America to showcase products, services, and ministries that support the life of the Church. Exhibit Opportunities The AAC Exhibit Hall will be a focal point of activity throughout the Council, with opportunities for attendees to explore the exhibits during breaks, meals, and…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – His Beatitude Archbishop Georgios of New Justiniana and All Cyprus, in an interview with The National Herald, spoke openly and dynamically about the state of the Cyprus issue. He noted that the New Year finds the situation “not just stagnant,” but, after half a century, said, “we are worse off because we made concessions that the Turks demanded every time.” He discussed the revival of the unified defense doctrine between Greece and Cyprus, stating, “the goals of Turkey are the same. both in Greek territory and in Cyprus.” Regarding the division…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – In the presence of leaders of the Greek-American community and representatives of the governments of Greece and Cyprus as well as Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the entrhronement of Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta was held on January 25 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia. The full text of the Metropolitan’s enthronement speech follows: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Thank you for honoring me with your presence. As I give thanks to God for all His blessings, I ponder the words of the Psalmist, “What shall I give back to…