Browsing: Governance & Unity News

Source: Russian Orthodox Church In his interview for Romfea Greek news agency, Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos and Oreini, hierarch of the Church of Cyprus, emphasized that by recognizing the schismatics in Ukraine the Patriarchate of Constantinople showed disregard for the religious rights of 13 million believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who do not want to sever relations with the Russian Church. The hierarch pointed out that certain geopolitical processes have had their impact on the current situation in the Orthodox world and said that when it comes to the Ukrainian ecclesiastical issue it is erroneous to confuse the “the…

Source: The National Herald BOSTON – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America appointed Archimandrite Athenagoras Ziliaskopoulos Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod. Fr. Athenagoras will continue to serve as Chaplain of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology along with his new duties as Chief Secretary. The former Chief Secretary of the Synod, Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, was appointed Archbishopric Vicar of the Metropolis of New Jersey, with headquarters in Philadelphia. Metropolitan Methodios of Boston has been excluded from the Board of Trustees of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, reportedly because of legal actions contrary to the…

Source: Orthodox Observer New York, NY – On February 8th, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America convened the second virtual meeting of the Senators for Hellenism and Orthodoxy.  In his opening remarks, the Archbishop reinforced the responsibility and importance of the Senators: “As ex-officio members of the Archdiocesan Council, your counsel and guidance are invaluable. You are the institutional memory of this Archdiocese, and your experience, judgment, and wisdom are vital to our success and progress. … Your experience – not just of what has worked in the past, but what is poised to be the most healthful and expeditious internal regulation of…

Source: Orthodox Observer The Ecumenical Patriarchate congratulates the new President of the United States, the Hon. Joseph Biden on assuming his duties, and expresses its delight regarding two highly symbolical executive orders signed immediately after his inauguration. The decision to lift the travel bans imposed on 13 nations with predominantly Muslim populations. It should be remembered that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has for several decades initiated a formal academic dialogue with Islam and hitherto organized some 15 joint conferences to discuss issues faced by all humanity in order to promote greater understanding and mutual respect between the two monotheistic religions, while…

Source: Halki Summit IV COVID-19 has lowered global carbon emissions, but it hasn’t slowed climate change. Our response to COVID-19 has precipitated the discovery of a vaccine, but it has left the world with a staggering number of deaths. The pandemic of Covid-19 has permanently affected our planet and altered our lives. The world has wrestled to survive and learned to live with the coronavirus. But what are the lessons that we have learned? What has been the impact on nature and the environment? What have been the implications for healthcare? And what have we understood about the relevance and…

Source: The National Herald BOSTON – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros published a new book titled Faith in the Time of Covid-19… The book contains the Archbishop’s Homilies and Addresses on Great Lent-Pascha 2020, and also pastoral messages. The book is being published as we near the first anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced widespread lockdowns in the United States and around the world. In his interview with The National Herald, Archbishop Elpidophoros said among other things that “the Church has clearly not been exempt from the effects of the pandemic, despite the wishful and sometimes dangerous thinking of a…

Source: St. Catherine’s Vision We are delighted and grateful to God that we are blessed again to be able to offer another teleconferencing, educational diakonima in the service of cultivating Pan-Orthodox koinonia, especially during these protracted, challenging times of social distancing. The time for registration is brief —and — enrollment will be limited! With great joy, we will be donating 100% of tuition monies received before Pascha 2021 to a charity that combats food insecurity, homelessness, domestic violence, and human trafficking. For this cycle, we have chosen F.O.C.U.S. of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, as our first tuition-donation recipient. Divine Compassion…

Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA Friday, January 29, 2021 Today, as the annual March For Life is held digitally due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America reaffirms the sanctity of life based on the firm conviction that life begins at the moment of conception. All humans, whether in the womb or in the world, are made in the image and likeness of God, possessing God-given beauty and dignity. Therefore, we can never condone the willful and elective taking of a human life. At the same time, Christ…

Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America On Thursday January 28th, 2021, shortly before midday, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was administered the COVID-19  Vaccine at the University Medical Center CAPA in Istanbul.  His All-Holiness thanked the doctors and staff of the Medical Center, and through them, all frontline healthcare workers throughout the world for their self-sacrifice as they care for the infected and their loved ones.  It is His All-Holiness’ fervent prayer that everyone gets vaccinated as soon as possible to contain this global and deadly virus.

Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA Christ “came not to heal the healthy, but the sick; not to save the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17) As the world continues to battle COVID-19, we are ever grateful to the frontline workers – including medical professionals, emergency responders, and scientists – for their unwavering dedication to making the world a better place. In light of the same, given our clergy and lay faithful are seeking archpastoral guidance regarding developments in medicine, such as COVID-19 vaccines and immunizations, we offer the following guidance: Scripture encourages us to respect and protect the…

Source: Halki Summit A series of three webinars. January 26–28, 2021, 8:00 – 9:30 pm (EST). COVID-19 has lowered global carbon emissions; but it hasn’t slowed climate change. Our response to COVID-19 has precipitated the discovery of a vaccine; but it has left the world with a staggering number of deaths. The pandemic has permanently affected our planet and altered our lives; but what are the lessons that we have learned? What has been the impact on nature and the environment? What have been the implications for healthcare? And what have we understood about the relevance and importance of science?…

Source: Interwoven Congregations Orthodox Christian faithful have a contribution to make in our communities by interrelating with others. Clergy and laity need to be aware of and involved in the work of faith communities in our communities. We live in a pluralistic society and we learn from each other. There is a movement in Bethesda, Maryland, that Orthodox Christians living within the beltway should know and help develop. The ministry is called Interwoven Congregations (https://www.interwovencongregations.org/). Orthodox Christianity has apostolic roots in Africa, and the works of Father Moses Berry, Ash Grove, Missouri, and  Dr. Albert J. Raboteau on African-American Religious…