Browsing: Governance & Unity News

Source: The National Herald LOMBARD, IL – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago has announced the approval by the Metropolis Council of entry into a contract to purchase the property at 1015 North LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60610. The Metropolis Council’s approval follows a parish General Assembly decision by Annunciation Cathedral stewards to sell the property to the Metropolis of Chicago. Under the agreement, the property will be purchased from Annunciation Cathedral and will be developed into the new Metropolis Center, the long-term headquarters and spiritual home of the Metropolis of Chicago. “After weighing the benefits of furthering Metropolitan Nathanael’s…

Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, who on November 8 submitted his resignation letter to Patriarch Bartholomew along with a request for his long-time collaborator and assistant, Bishop Sevastianos of Zelon, to succeed him, gave an interview to The National Herald that could be described as the capstone of his episcopacy. He spoke with clarity, eloquence, seriousness, and humor about his resignation. He also discussed whether Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew would honor his wish to recommend the election of Bishop Sevastianos. He also reflected on his childhood years at Mount Athos, starting at the…

Source: Orthodox Church in America SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA]   On November 4-7, 2024, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America met for its Regular Fall 2024 Session in Springfield, VA, under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. The meeting began on Tuesday, November 5, with an opening Molieben and introductory remarks from His Beatitude, followed by an overview of the Fall Session. The Holy Synod addressed various matters, including updates from Synodal Offices and Committees, discussions on the Canonization Commission — particularly the glorification of Matushka Olga. Dates surrounding her upcoming glorification were decided upon and will be made public…

Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Holy Eparchial Synod New York, November 12, 2024 COMMUNIQUE  His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over an extraordinary session of the Holy Eparchial Synod today, which was held via teleconference. During the meeting: A) A letter from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was reviewed, conveying that: The Holy Eparchial Synod’s proposals to add the Very Reverend Archimandrites Gedeon Varytimos, Meletios Gianniodis, Ioannikios Gregoriadis, and Spyridon Chatzis to the list of eligible candidates for episcopal election have been accepted. The proposal to incardinate His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos…

Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has dismissed Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago from his position on the Holy Synod of the Phanar through a pittakion—an official Patriarchal letter—without providing any explanation, The National Herald has learned. The Patriarchal letter, exclusively obtained by The National Herald, states: “Most Reverend Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, beloved brother in the Holy Spirit and co-liturgist of Our Modesty, grace to Your Eminence and peace from God. Through these Patriarchal Letters, we inform Your Eminence that, for reasons held by Our Modesty, we relieve you of your Synodal duties,…

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity About OCL Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) is an independent, national, Pan-Orthodox, 501(c)3 non-profit, educational association, incorporated in the State of Illinois on March 17, 1988, to advance the renewal of the Orthodox Christian Church in the United States by advocating that the laity remain part of the conciliar governance process which provides balance to the hierarchy and clergy, all working together in governance, spiritual and other matters to ensure accountability and transparency in the affairs of the Church. OCL is committed to the establishment of an administratively and canonically unified, self-governing Orthodox Church in the United…

Source: Metro Vaartha He was 95. According to the Syrian Church authorities, the Catholicos, who was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments for a long time, passed away at 5.21 PM. He had led the church’s followers through a period of turmoil after a Supreme Court ruling stripped the Jacobite faction of control over its churches. Amidst the dispute between the Jacobite and Orthodox factions of the Malankara Church, he led the former’s faction after they lost the control of their churches and properties following the 2017 SC verdict. The apex Court ruled that the 1,100 parishes and their churches under…

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…