Source: The New York Times By SHARON OTTERMAN Sixteen years after the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was destroyed in the terror attacks of Sept. 11, its reopening at the World Trade Center site remains frustratingly out of reach. The latest setback to the project came this month, when Skanska U.S.A., the construction company rebuilding the once-simple church into a luminous, Santiago Calatrava-designed shrine, ceased work at the site in Liberty Park, just south of the 9/11 Memorial Plaza. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, despite receiving $37 million in donations for the shrine, was unable to pay its bills, the company…
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Source: The Washington Post By Ruth Eglash Beside a nondescript stretch of highway linking Bethlehem to Jerusalem, there’s a large shiny rock and a cluster of olive trees. This place, called Kathisma or “seat” in Greek, is said to be where the Virgin Mary rested and drank from a well, not long before giving birth in a stable to Jesus. The only clue to that history is the ruins of a Byzantine church, with a vibrant mosaic floor peeking through mud and smashed beer bottles. And while the ruins themselves remain in the hands of the Greek Orthodox Church, all the…
Source: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA WASHINGTON—The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation (NAOCTC) has released its response to the most recent document produced by the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. Entitled, “Synodality and Primacy During the First Millennium: Towards a Common Understanding in Service to the Unity of the Church,” this work of the international dialogue was released in September 2016. It is often referred to as, “The Chieti Document,” because it was finalized during a meeting in Chieti, Italy. The NAOCTC, which is co-chaired by Cardinal…
Source: American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) WASHINGTON (December 13, 2017) — As a donor organization to the rebuilding of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at World Trade Center, AHEPA Supreme President Carl R. Hollister has issued the following statement: “We are deeply disappointed that construction of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at World Trade Center has come to a halt and regret the inadequate transparency provided thus far about the project’s construction status. “We have been in communication with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and members of the Archdiocesan Council to convey our concerns about Saint…
Source: The Pappas Post by Gregory Pappas Construction at the site of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox National Shrine at Ground Zero in New York City has been halted by the main construction company because the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has defaulted on payments, according to a letter sent by the company to its subcontractors working at the site. The letter from the site’s main contractor, Skanksa USA Building, notifies its subcontractors to withdraw from the building site immediately. A copy of the letter was obtained by The Pappas Post by one of the project’s subcontractors that was working under…
Source: US News & World Report Leaders in the Orthodox Church say the religion may need to adapt to contemporary times to remain relevant. By Sintia Radu, Staff Writer A season of religious holidays around the world moves into higher gear on Wednesday with the observance of one of the most important saints in the Orthodox Church, a person whose gift-giving legacy is partially tied to the birth of the Santa Claus legend in the U.S.and Father Christmas in the U.K. But with the arrival of St. Nicholas Day – observed on Dec. 6 in Western Christian nations but on different December days…
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America NATIVITY OF CHRIST 2017 Thus all magic was dissolved and every bond of wickedness vanished; ignorance was abolished and the old kingdom was destroyed, since God was becoming manifest in human form for the newness of eternal life; what had been prepared by God had its beginning. Hence everything was shaken together, for the abolition of death was being planned. – St. Ignatius of Antioch, To the Ephesians, 19:3 At this great feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, these words from St. Ignatius the God-bearer of Antioch focus us powerfully on the purpose…
Here we are at year end, ready to celebrate Christmas, a New Year and the Epiphany Season. A glorious and busy time. A time of celebration! It is also the time to begin looking ahead, preparing to organize our personal affairs for the income tax season. This is the time of year when non-profit, tax-exempt groups like Orthodox Christian Laity ask their supporters to consider a year-end gift to help us plan for 2018. Next year will be our 31st year advocating for a strong voice of the laity in the administrative and spiritual life of the Church. 2017 has…
Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos – FINDING OUR VOICE: Orthodox Leadership for the 21st Century Rev. Fr. Hans Jacobse – THE CHALLENGE OF SECULARISM IN THE LOCAL PARISH Dr Frances Kostarelos, PhD – RELIGIOUS PLURALISM & FUNDAMENTALISM & CONTESTED IDENTITIES IN THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA His Grace, Bishop PAUL (Gassios) PROGRESS AND PROSPECT OF THE WORK OF THE ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS AS THEY WORK OF THE UNITY OF THE ORTHODOX IN THE USA AND CANONICAL GOOD ORDER Thanks to John Maddex of Ancient Faith Ministries for recording the sessions and making them available!
Source: Orthodox Toronto The path of an Indian – a chief of the Mohawk tribe – led him to the bosom of the Orthodox Church. A modern – day story of orthodox “lunacy” in the Indian reservations of Canada. Saturday night. Very few lights were on. In the Russian Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Vespers have just started. The shadowy silhouettes of the few faithful who were attending the service became more defined, as the candles were lit, one by one, in the candle stand. The iconostasis of the altar was very imposing; it was something that was carved…
Source: Orthodox Church in America YONKERS, NY [OCA] The Board of Trustees of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY, announces a vacancy in the office of Academic Dean. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position are now being accepted by a select Search Committee. The Search Committee seeks a visionary and inspiring Academic Dean with the skills, energy, and experience to advance the academic mission and current programs of the Seminary as well as to develop new programs to meet the needs of the Church and the world in the 21st century. The Chair of the Search Committee…