Source: Orthodox Christian Network World Council of Arameans, Beirut: Last night, two Aramean children and a mother were killed as a result of a shameless attack by ISIS terrorists against Baghdeda (Qaraqosh) in North Iraq. At the same time, in the middle of the night, more than 40,000 Aramean families – comprising at least 200.000 human beings – fearfully fled their ancestral homes, towns and villages in the Nineveh region. Another unprecedented humanitarian disaster is now unfolding in Iraq. Most recently, thousands of Aramean families had already escaped the Mosul region to the Nineveh province, after the Islamic State of Iraq…
Browsing: Orthodox News
Source: The Daily Star by Samar Kadi BEIRUT: The heads of Eastern churches expressed outrage Thursday over the displacement of Christians in north Iraq, appealing to the international community, and Arab and Islamic states in particular, to take swift action to stop the onslaught at the hands of jihadist groups. The patriarchs’ call came at the end of a meeting, held at the summer seat of the Maronite Church in Diman in north Lebanon, overshadowed by news of a fresh exodus of Iraqi Christians fleeing attacks by militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). “Christians in countries of the Middle East are suffering from harsh persecution,…
Source: The Times of Israel BY TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF Gaza City’s Greek Orthodox church compound, a site that sheltered hundreds of Palestinians who fled their homes during IDF shelling in the area, was used by members of Hamas to launch rockets at Israeli territory, a prominent Christian leader in the Strip said Wednesday. When the Israeli army expanded its offensive in the Palestinian enclave several weeks ago, Archbishop Alexios of the Saint Porphyrios church made the decision to open the holy site’s doors in a show of interfaith solidarity, offering food, drink and shelter to all Gazans, regardless of their religion. But…
Source: Orthodox Christian Network The Moving Icon is hosted by Chris Vlahonasios, media writer and founder of the Orthodox Filmmakers & Artists blog. This series discusses issues relating to media, social trends, the arts, and all aspects of human expression and creativity from an Orthodox perspective. Chris also interviews various Orthodox artists about their work, inspiration, and Faith. The show’s title refers to the fact that we are all living icons of God, in His image and likeness. As images of God, we are capable of creating and appearing in all artistic works, such as film and photography. And have…
by Maria C. Khoury, Ed. D. As we enter August 2014, my Church will enter a very special time of fasting and prayer for the Holy Mother of God, the Theotokos for the Holy Dormition, the Falling Asleep of the Virgin Mary (Aug 15/28). “You gave birth to the Salvation of the world, through which we were uplifted from earth to heights…Hail! O Ever-Blessed, Pure One, shelter and strength; rampart and fortress to those who sing: “Praise the Lord all His works and exalt Him in all the ages.” (Akathist Hymn) At this same moment in time, here in the Holy…
Source: Ancient Faith Radio By Kevin Allen Direct link Play in Popup Download Transcript Mr. Kevin Allen: As you see, I was asked to speak about “Challenges and Opportunities of the Ancient Faith Today,” and we are witnessing major changes in the religious landscape, both in the world—we can see that certainly in the Middle East—but [also] in Western Europe and especially in America, which is where I’ll tend to be focusing, and these changes give rise to many challenges and opportunities for the Orthodox churches, and this is what I’ll be discussing and we’ll be discussing today, hopefully with humility, clarity, and…
Source: WHEC News 10 Rochester By: Rebecca Fath The news of the plane crash is forcing many in the local Ukrainian community to take action and help those in need overseas. At the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, they say they have strong opinions about what is going on. They are collecting money to help people. Nicholas Sztanko is the vice president at St. Mary’s Ukraine Orthodox Church. Sztanko says the Ukrainian community is shocked and saddened to hear about the plane being shot down, but many from the country expect bloodshed in the current crisis. Sztanko feels the rest of…
Source: Forum 18 By Mushfig Bayram, Forum 18 News Service Kyrgyzstan’s State Commission for Religious Affairs (SCRA) on 14 July refused registration as missionary to Bishop Feodosy, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kyrgyzstan, Forum 18 News Service has learned. Under the Religion Law, this prevents him from working as a religious worker in Kyrgyzstan. “This is a ban on the Bishop”, Orthodox Church spokesperson Yuliya Farbshteyn told Forum 18. The SCRA claimed that the Bishop was denied registration as he “threatens the public security of Kyrgyzstan and sows religious discord among the population”. Orthodox believers totally denied…
Source: Chicago Tribune By Alexandra Chachkevitch, Tribune reporter A Glenview Greek Orthodox priest who faces a felony theft charge made his first court appearance this afternoon after missing two previously scheduled hearings. The Rev. James Dokos, 62, stood before a court commissioner in a Milwaukee County courtroom during the brief hearing, where his bond was set at $5,000. Because it’s a personal recognizance bond, he was not required to post any money to be released. Wearing a black suit with a clerical collar and smiling as he entered the courtroom, Dokos did not speak during the hearing, and no mention was…
Source: WISN.com MILWAUKEE —A priest accused of embezzling six figures from his Milwaukee congregation is a no-show in court again. His attorney said Father James Dokos was admitted to the hospital Monday morning. VIDEO: Father James Dokos a no-show in court again Monday She waited outside court to show her support. The former secretary at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church compared her former boss to Jesus Christ. “There’s only one man that’s perfect and what did they do to him? He’s gone. He’s dead. They killed him, and that’s what they’re trying to do to Father Jim — crucify him,” church member…
Source: The National Herald BY THEODORE KALMOUKOS Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, one of the most prolific writers and prominent Orthodox theologians of our times, sat down with TNH in Boston. BOSTON, MA – Metropolitan Kallistos Ware is one of the most prolific writers and prominent Orthodox theologians of our times. He came to know Orthodoxy at age 17 in London, when he accidentally entered a Russian Orthodox Church that happened to have been conducting a vigil Service at the moment, and immediately realized “this is my home.” Worship, the mystical tradition and especially the prayer attracted him, so six years later…
Source: MENAFN – AFP (MENAFN – AFP) The crisis in Ukraine is undermining reconciliation efforts between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church and has shown up Pope Francis’s inability to make his peace message heard in the conflict-torn country, analysts said. Francis has called for dialogue in Ukraine – as he does for conflicts around the world – but the Vatican has kept a distance and did not take a position on Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March or subsequent hostilities in the east of the country. The pope was faced with an impossible task, with the Russian Orthodox…