| The Nativity Fast is one of four main fast periods throughout the ecclesiastical year. Beginning on November 15 (28) and concluding on December 24 (January 6), the Nativity Fast gives individuals the opportunity to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour in the Flesh on December 25 (January 7). By abstaining from certain food and drink, particularly from meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil, and wine, as well as focusing more deeply on prayer and almsgiving, we can find that the primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God. During his sermon delivered before the beginning of the fast, Patriarch Daniel urged the faithful to prepare themselves ‘to receive in the cave of our soul our Lord Christ Who is spiritually born in the life of every Christian, according to their faith and love for God and fellow people.’ ‘Fasting is a divine commandment (Gen 2:16-17). According to Basil the Great, fasting is as old as humanity itself,’ reads the official document on The Importance of Fasting and Its Observance Today issued following the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church. Nativity Fast reminds of the long fasting periods of the Old Testament patriarchs and righteous people, who were waiting for the coming of the Messiah – the Redeemer. Through its 40-day duration, this fasting season also recalls of Moses on Mount Sinai, who patiently waited in fasting to receive the words of God, the Decalogue, Fr Ene Branite, a renowned Romanian liturgist, notes. The duration of the Nativity Fast was established in 1166, at a Council in Constantinople, held under the chairmanship of Patriarch Luke Chrysoberges. Regarding the practice of the fast, the Holy and Great Synod recommends that it be linked to uninterrupted prayer, sincere repentance and acts of charity. As recommended by the Orthodox hierarchs who gathered in Crete in 2016, the true fast is inseparable from unceasing prayer, genuine repentance and merciful deeds. Photogaphy courtesy of Basilica.ro Archive |
| Vladimir Legoyda: Celebrating the Enthronement of the Patriarch Represents His Prayerful Unity with the Flock Photo: Oleg Varov/foto.patriarchia.ru The annual celebration of the anniversary of the Patriarchal enthronement embodies the prayerful unity of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and his flock, said Vladimir Legoyda, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media. “Patriarch Kirill has repeatedly said that his “strength is increased by the prayer of many archpastors, shepherds, and the people of God.” Therefore, the celebration of the anniversary of his enthronement, in my opinion, also represents the prayerful unity of the Primate and the flock,” said Vladimir Legoyda in an interview with RIA Novosti . Vladimir Legoyda continued that on this day a festive divine service is always performed, “at which the majority of the episcopate, many clerics and laity are present.” And even in the current situation, the head of the Synodal Department noted, when such service is not performed due to the coronavirus pandemic, “there are no such obstacles that would stand in the way of common prayer on this day.” In addition, according to Vladimir Legoyda, the day of Patriarchal enthronement is also an occasion to remember the action in the Church of the Holy Spirit, “without which it would be impossible to elect a primate.” “This is our faith, and it finds confirmation when we think about how difficult these years have been and what efforts they required from the Patriarch of the Russian Church. We believe that without the grace-filled help of God, the patriarchal cowl is absolutely unbearable,” said Vladimir Legoyda. As for the Patriarchal ministry, Vladimir Legoyda noted, “the Patriarch sees his ministry in uniting the efforts of all believers, caring people for the sake of transforming our society based on mercy, love, and service.” “I think that over the years of his work, he, like no one else, has learned to distinguish between people who declare an “opinion for the sake of an opinion” and those who really care about the welfare of the Church and the people. He always listens to the latter,” concluded the chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media. |
| “Basic Sight-Singing and Ear Training for Church Singers” Course to Begin October 4 Source: OCA The Department of Liturgical Music of the Orthodox Church in America will once again be offering an online course entitled “Basic Sight-Singing and Ear Training for Church Singers,” beginning October 4, 2021. “The class is designed specifically with the needs of singers in Orthodox church choirs,” according to Dr. Vladimir Morosan, who developed the course. “Our emphasis will be on the mastery of basic intervals, scales, and rhythms that are encountered in our liturgical hymns. In order to succeed in this course, a person needs to love to sing and be able to ‘carry a tune,’ but doesn’t need to have any prior instruction in music theory.” “A course such as this is essential for our church singers,” continues Dr. Morosan. “We are a ‘singing Church,’ with a centuries-old tradition of singing Divine Services, which provides ample musical material for the teaching of basic sight-singing and ear training. The material we will cover in this course will also serve as a pre-requisite for those who may wish to take the ‘Beginning Conducting Techniques’ course at some point in the future.” The course will consist of 10 weekly lessons, covered over a period of 11 weeks, starting on October 4 and concluding on December 17, with no class the week of Thanksgiving. The course will be taught using the popular online Google Classroom platform, and will employ the time-tested “movable-tonic” (“SOL-FA”) system, which has been used to teach church chant and hymn singing for the past 1000 years, from Gregorian and Znamenny Chant to Colonial American hymnody. Topics covered will include intervals and scales, rhythmic notation, key signatures, and time signatures, using examples from liturgical hymns whenever possible. Students will be presented with numerous opportunities for auditory practice, learning to recognize and reproduce various intervals, recording them for the instructor’s evaluation and feedback. |
| On January 24, 2016, the Primates of Local Orthodox Churches celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the church of St. Paul in Chambesy, Switzerland. The liturgy was celebrated by His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya II of All Georgia, His Holiness Patriarch Irenaeus of Serbia, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania, His Holiness Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria, His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania, His Beatitude Metropolitan Rostislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, as well as Metropolitan Hermanos of Ilia (Greek Orthodox Church) and Bishop Georges of Siemiatycze (Polish Orthodox Church). Worshipping in the church were the delegations of the Local Orthodox Churches. After the Reading of the Gospel, His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the congregation, saying in particular, " It is a special joy for us to have an opportunity to testify to our unity and mutual love through the common Cup of Life, when we offer the Bloodless Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of the Lord so that we may carry out the highly important and the most complicated work of the Syntaxes and fulfil our church service in general. " According to Patriarch Bartholomew, the Synaxis of the Primate of the Most Holy Orthodox Churches, which is taking place these days, " as one body is another testimony to the unity of the Orthodox Church and confirmation of the words of St. Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles, who said: There is one body and one Spirit… one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Eph. 4:406). " The liturgical exclamations of the primate were voiced in Greek, Arabic and Church Slavonic. The liturgical hymns were sung in Greek and French. DECR Communication Service |
| The Orthodox Church forbids its clergy from holding elected office, or endorsing political parties or candidates. It strives to be a place all can come to for healing, regardless of ideology. Yet this stance doesn’t mean it remains neutral when issues of moral and spiritual significance come to a vote. On two occasions, I’ve endorsed from the pulpit statewide initiatives that in an Orthodox worldview concerned matters of revealed truth, rather than personal preference. One had to do with when life begins, the other with the definition of marriage. On these topics, the choice was between truth and heresy. But before you conclude Orthodoxy is just another a right-wing hate group — or before those who identify as traditional Christians get too cozy with the political right — it must be pointed out there are several areas where the “conservative” position is also anathema. An Orthodox (or simply orthodox) Christian must reject the argument that nature is merely a collection of resources to be exploited. I once heard Rush Limbaugh say the only good thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down. As tree, it has no value. For orthodox Christians, this is blasphemy. Creation, including the tree that never becomes a marketable good, is a revelation of its creator — an icon of divine love. An orthodox Christian recognizes that people are also icons, made in God’s image. They’d be disturbed by nativistic efforts to keep others out of America, or demonize immigrants. An orthodox Christian would be skeptical about domestic policies that create opportunity for those at the top, in hopes it will trickle down to those at the bottom. If all are created in God’s image, all should enjoy equal access to opportunity. An orthodox Christian would question making military spending our top, discretionary priority — with more resources devoted to it than the next five nations combined. We’d be leery of hawkish aggression and pre-emptive strikes. Even with the sanctity of life and marriage weighted as priorities, the preponderance of other moral questions makes it impossible for orthodox Christians to line up squarely behind any party or candidate, because no candidate or party is consistent with Christian orthodoxy. |
| OCA, ROCOR Metropolitans, hierarchs concelebrate the Divine Liturgy at ROCOR " s NYC cathedral/Православие.Ru OCA, ROCOR Metropolitans, hierarchs concelebrate the Divine Liturgy at ROCOR " s NYC cathedral December 14, 2011 ROCOR/OCA Liturgy His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, and His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy for the first time at the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign, New York, NY, on Saturday, December 10, 2011. The celebration marked the first time in nearly 70 years that the primates and hierarchs of the OCA and ROCOR have concelebrated. It is noteworthy that the Liturgy was celebrated on the cathedral’s Patronal Feast of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, which was present during the Divine Liturgy. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitans Jonah and Hilarion exchanged warm greetings and spoke of the historic significance and importance of the occasion. “I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to come together, to pray together, to celebrate our brotherly love together as one Church. Truly, there is only one Church,” said Metropolitan Jonah. “God has called us to that love, to that communion with one another. It is my fervent prayer that from now on, we work together and cooperate together in many different projects and support one another in our common task. “God has seen fit over the past decades that our two Churches have received different ministries, each working in different communities of people, each bearing fruit for the Lord according to His will, and going after the vineyards which He has given to us to cultivate,” Metropolitan Jonah continued. “And now He has brought us together in a new way to constantly share in the same Eucharistic cup, working together in unity to cultivate this vineyard of North America and everywhere else that God calls us to, in preaching the Gospel of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.” |
| Archive Metropolitan Antony of Borispol and Brovary: Metropolitan Amfilohije was surrounded with love of all Montenegrins 9 November 2020 year 16:08 Metropolitan Amfilohije (Radovi) of Montenegro and the Littoral passed away in the Lord on October 30, 2020. Metropolitan Antony of Borispol and Brovary, chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, told about his personal contacts with the hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church and his ministry in the interview given to ‘Orthodox Life’ web portal. Vladyko, you have met Metropolitan Amfilohije many times. What is your main impression? He was a saint. It is difficult to find a more recognized authority in the Church. He was a real national spiritual leader! His demise is a great loss for the people of Montenegro, Serbia and South America for which he had cared as well as for many Orthodox Christians living on all continents. Have you made your acquaintance in Montenegro? I have learned about Metropolitan Amfilohije when I was a student. He was an outstanding contemporary theologian. We read his books and had an opportunity to meet him when he visited the Laura of the Holy Trinity. A more close acquaintance happened when I was rector of the Kievan Theological Academy. Metropolitan Amfilohije was awarded an academic degree of doctor of theology. Alas, we missed an opportunity to present it. When I visited Montenegro I saw with my own eyes his love of his people and his anxiety about the situation in the country. It is well known that Metropolitan Amfilohije was surrounded with love of all Montenegrins, from child to old man. He was called a father, a grand-father and an apostle. The secret of such appreciation and reverence involves his being a real father of the nation. Metropolitan Amfilohije sermons were always permeated with evangelical love and power and were so topical and timely that people took his words as addressed to them personally. He loved people and cared for his flock. A year ago Metropolitan Amfilohije invited me to the celebration of the feast of Archangel Michael. There are no traditional name days in the Serbian Church as we understand them, but there is Slava – glorification of one’s family patron saint. This custom is passed from generation to generation. Radovi family’s patron saint is Archangel Michael. After the Divine Liturgy I saw him, aged eighty-two, standing the whole day surrounded by people who wanted to congratulate him. I was told later that he received congratulations the whole week through. |
| Accept The site uses cookies to help show you the most up-to-date information. By continuing to use the site, you consent to the use of your Metadata and cookies. Cookie policy Representatives of Local Orthodox Churches participated in a divine service at the American Metochion in Moscow DECR Communication Service, 29.02.2024. On the 27 th of February, the feast day of St. Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn, a solemn Divine service was celebrated at St. Catherine " s Church on Vspolye, the Moscow Representation of the Orthodox Church in America. The Divine Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’. He was joined by: Archpriest Daniel Andreiuk, representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Moscow Patriarchal See, rector of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, rector of the Church of the Renewal of the Temple in Danilovskaya Sloboda; Archpriest Andrei Tkachev, rector of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Khokhly; Priest Timothy Chaikin, rector of the Patriarchal Representation of St Nicholas Church in Zayaitsky, Moscow, clergyman of the All-Russian Cossack Society and the First Cossack University; Priest Afanasy Ogeruk, clergyman of the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr in Vspolye; Hierodeacon Arseny (Pisarev), clergyman of the Moscow Representation of the Antiochian Orthodox Church; Deacon Konstantin Gerasimovich; Deacon Alexander Mikhailov; [other] invited clergy. After the intercessory prayer, grorifying prayers to St Raphael of Brooklyn were sung: the troparion, kontakion and magnification were sung before his icon in the kiot in the refectory church, reports the website of the Representation. In his words after the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Niphon expressed his sincere gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and the rector, Archpriest Daniel Andriyuk, for the opportunity to glorify Saint Raphael of Brooklyn on the day of his memory and for the joy of the service. He congratulated the clergy and parishioners of the church on the feast and addressed them with an archpastoral word. In his sermon, Vladyka Niphon emphasised that St Raphael is an example to follow because of his courage and love for Christ and people. |
| Bishop Mark installed as Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania Source: OCA Natalya Mihailova 14 May 2014 The Rite of Installation, during which His Grace, Bishop Mark [Maymon] was enthroned as Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, was celebrated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saint Stephen Cathedral here Saturday, May 10, 2014. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, presided at the Divine Liturgy. In addition to Bishop Mark, His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate; His Eminence, Archbishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania; and His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, together with numerous clergy from throughout the diocese and beyond, including Priest Victor Gorodenchuk, Dean of Saint Stephen Cathedral, concelebrated. Among the guests attending the Divine Liturgy were representatives of the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Philadelphia and Scranton. On Friday evening, Great Vespers was celebrated at the cathedral, at which Archbishop Nathaniel delivered the homily. Bishop Mark preached at Saturday’s Divine Liturgy. “Love comes first in our Church life, and foremost love for Christ” Bishop Mark said as he called upon the diocese’s clergy and faithful to discern that which is of the Holy Spirit. [Read here for additional details.] At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon presented the archpastoral staff to Bishop Mark—the same staff with which Metropolitan Tikhon had been presented when he was installed as Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania—exhorting him to continue his apostolic work in the diocese. Following Saturday’s Divine Liturgy, a banquet honoring Bishop Mark was held at the Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast, Trevose, PA, at which time greetings and congratulatory messages were offered. Archpriest John Kowalczyk, Chancellor of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, welcomed all in attendance. Additional information will be posted as it is received. A gallery of photos may be viewed on the OCA web site and Facebook page . |
| Important Areas That Deserve Our Attention Source: St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church Protopresbyter George D. Konstantopoulos 30 August 2019 Photo: blogs.voanews.com My beloved syndiakonoi (co-workers) in Christ God, As we are about to embark on the new ecclesiastical (Church) year, September 1st, we all need to re-examine closely areas of importance within our church, areas which should concern every member (steward) and family of our parish. What are these areas? Worship (Divine Liturgy). For the Orthodox Christian worship on Sunday and throughout the week is indispensable and irreplaceable. Worshipping the Almighty God for the Christian believer is just as important as the air that we need to breathe and live. Attending the divine services of our Holy Church as a Christian family is absolutely necessary to maintain communion with our Creator. There is no life without the communion with God through worship, prayer, and the reception of the Holy Eucharist. Through the Divine Liturgy, through our Lord Jesus Christ and His new covenant with us, He, heals our nature, He unifies the inner man–heart and mind are joined in union with God, and He gives perfect forgiveness. This is what we receive when we attend and participate in the Divine Liturgy: a) “cleansing of soul”, b) “remission of sins”, c) “communion of the Holy Spirit”, d) “fulfillment of the Kingdom of Heavens”, e) “boldness toward God”, f) “not unto judgment or unto condemnation”. (Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom) What more can we ask for? Another area of deep concern is the parish ministry of religious education for all of our children. A greater effort must be made to teach all of our parish children the Orthodox Christian Faith. To know who our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, is and to follow His Commandments. To learn Christian morality, values, principles, the new life that He has given us. The purpose of the church as a hospital and a place of healing and reconciliation, the grace that a believer receives through the sacraments, the Lives of the Saints, the veneration of the Mother of God, the veneration of the holy icons and Saints, holy Fathers and Mother of the Church and more. To, through faith, come to feel God’s unconditional love within heart, and soul, and for all of mankind. |
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