Source: Orthodox Times Despite ongoing discussions stemming from the 25th Congress of the World Russian People’s Council regarding the “Russian world” doctrine and its implications, the 26th Council further cemented the close relationship between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Kremlin. The meeting also underscored the Church’s support for the political leadership’s aspirations. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow chaired the meeting of the 26th World Russian People’s Council held on November 28, titled “The Russian World: External and Internal Challenges.” In his address, Patriarch Kirill highlighted the “unique model of interaction between Church and State,” emphasizing its pivotal role in preserving cultural and spiritual values.…
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Source: Orthodox Times Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate, recently visited Bulgaria to participate in the centennial celebration of the consecration of the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky. In an interview with the official website of the Holy Synod and Tsŭrkoven vestnik newspaper (Църковен вестник), the Archbishop discussed his mission in Southeast Asia, his leadership in Great Britain, and the Church’s role in addressing contemporary challenges such as human trafficking, forgotten saints, and modern spiritual guidance. Mission in Southeast Asia Reflecting on his 11 years in Hong Kong as part of his mission in Southeast Asia,…
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Now in its second week, the Nativity Fast is leading us closer to the glorious Feast of the Nativity of our Lord. In the modern world, often there is much hustle and bustle associated with the Christmas season. By intentionally deciding what your family’s priority is and which things do not have to happen in the few short weeks before December 25, your heart and the hearts of each member of your family will be prepared to welcome our Lord at His Nativity. Stick to your plan. Consider watching each of the 6…
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 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…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle WA On October 22, 2024, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate met at the Phanar. The Ecumenical Patriarchate uses a 6-month rotation system for Synod members. The members of the Synod as of the October 22 meeting are listed at https://orthodoxtimes.com/new-composition-of-holy-and-sacred-synod-of-the-ecumenical-patriarchate/#:~:text=In%20line%20with%20the%20standard,presidency%20of%20Ecumenical%20Patriarch%20Bartholomew. The press release for the first day of this meeting is found at https://ec-patr.org/%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%ba%ce%bf%ce%b9%ce%bd%cf%89%ce%b8%ce%ad%ce%bd-%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%b1-%cf%84%ce%b9%cf%82-%ce%b5%cf%81%ce%b3%ce%b1%cf%83%ce%af%ce%b5%cf%82-%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%b1%ce%b3%ce%af%ce%b1-29/ This release includes the following statement: “During the midday break of work, the Patriarch and the members of the holy body received with cordiality and honor the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, His Excellency Mr. Andrii Sybiha and his colleagues, after…
Source: Public Orthodoxy Varvara Gulina Doctoral Student at San Diego State University Imagine a young woman who has just been sexually assaulted by a priest during confession. Leaving what was meant to be a sacred experience, she feels lost and unsure of whom to turn to in her parish, wondering if anyone would truly understand or believe her. Now picture another woman enduring domestic violence at home; after mustering the courage to confide in a bishop, she is met with the suggestion that she simply needs a change of scenery, leaving her feeling invalidated and dismissed. Envision a young woman…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA At the invitation of Pope Tawadros II, primate of the Coptic Church, a meeting was held last month between representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (sometimes referred to as the Ancient Oriental Churches) and the Orthodox Churches. In my opinion, this was an extremely important meeting, although it has received very little attention in the media. As you know, the Oriental Orthodox Churches are those churches that did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (451) but accepted the prior three ecumenical councils. The Orthodox Churches are those that did accept the Council and follow the…
Source: St. Phoebe Center Document to be Reviewed at September Zoom Event August 23, 2024 – The St. Phoebe Center for the Deaconess has released a new set of proposed guidelines for ordaining women as deaconesses in the Orthodox Church today. In a Zoom event to be held September 23, 2024, three St. Phoebe Center board members — Dr. Carrie Frederick Frost, Dr. Teva Regule, and Dr. Helen Creticos Theodoropoulos — will introduce and comment on this new version of the “Proposed Guidelines.” They will review the document section by section and explain the incorporated feedback. St. Phoebe Center Advisory…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA The meeting of the Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Istanbul, September 1-3. This meeting, which is held every three years, included more than one hundred bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from throughout the world. At the beginning of the Synaxis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew gave an address. https://ec-patr.org/%e1%bc%90%ce%bd%ce%b1%cf%81%ce%ba%cf%84%ce%ae%cf%81%ce%b9%ce%bf%cf%82-%e1%bd%81%ce%bc%ce%b9%ce%bb%ce%af%ce%b1-%cf%84%e1%bf%86%cf%82-%ce%b1-%ce%b8-%cf%80%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%b3%ce%b9%cf%8c-3/ The following are some of his observations: A major problem in this connection is the anthropological and moral confusion about the essentials of life, even among Christians. It is self-evident that we are concerned with the division of Christianity…
by S. P. Stamatis. M.A. Many years ago, an Orthodox bishop of Great Britain was asked this question during a gathering. His reply was simple, but profound: “It’s the Church that Celebrates the Divine Liturgy” –Bishop Timothy “Kallistos” Ware On the surface, this statement by Bishop Ware suggests that it’s the primary mission of the Church. But before we allow the 1960s song “Is That All There Is?” to fall from our lips, let’s take a closer look at the Holy Rite from a lay perspective. Indeed, the bishop’s focus showcased the Liturgy as the “Main Event” that defines…
Source: Public Orthodoxy Dr. Sergii Bortnyk Director of the ‘Academic Initiative’ Charitable Foundation (Kyiv, Ukraine) Recent weeks have been quite intense in Ukraine’s religious sphere. Undoubtedly, the most resonant event was the adoption of Bill No. 8371 by the Ukrainian Parliament on August 20. In its latest version, it was titled “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activities of Religious Organizations,” but it is informally known as the “law banning the UOC (Ukrainian Orthodox Church).” The bill’s adoption was demanded by a significant number of opposition deputies, particularly from the “European Solidarity” party, led by former President…