| Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk heads liturgy at Moscow representation of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch Source: DECR Photo: mospat.ru On 26 th July 2022, on the feast of the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel, celebrations took place at the metochion of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch to mark the patronal feast day. The Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangel Gabriel was celebrated by the Chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk and the representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and dean of the metochion, Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis. Photo: mospat.ru Serving with the bishops were the representative of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Great Antioch and All the East archimandrite Philipp (Vasiltsev) and the clergy of the metochion. Protodeacon Vladimir Nazarkin headed the diaconal part of the service. At the conclusion of the Liturgy a prayer service was offered to the archangel Gabriel in the open air in the courtyard of the church. The prayer service was attended by representatives of the diplomatic missions of Mexico, Belgium, USA, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Montenegro, Argentina, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Romania, Luxemburg, Poland, Portugal, Brazil, Tunisia, Columbia, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Iraq, Albania, Palestine, France, Greece and Denmark. Among those present was also the president of the International Foundation for the Spiritual Unity of Nations V.A. Alexeyev. Photo: mospat.ru At the conclusion of the prayer service, Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis greeted the chairman of the DECR and said: “It is a great joy for me today, Vladyka, to convey to all those present at this celebration the love, blessing, prayers and greetings of our Patriarch, the Most Blessed John, Patriarch of Great Antioch and All the East. |
| 12th anniversary of Romanian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand Marked in Melbourne Source: Basilica.ro The “Holy Apostles Peter and Paul” Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Melbourne, Australia, celebrated on Monday its patronal feast, which coincided with the 12 th anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. On this occasion, His Grace Mihail gave an impressive account of his visit to a small Romanian community from Dunedin, one of the southernmost places on the world map. The patronal feast of the cathedral also marked Bishop Mihail’s 12-year ministry in Australia and New Zealand. “We have made great progress throughout our diocese. There were communities with no church and no priests. Since distances are quite great, the Romanian faithful had to go to Russian, Greek or Antiochian churches.” The bishop also said there are Orthodox Romanians who migrated to other Christian denominations. That is why it is a duty for the Romanian clerics and faithful “to look for the lost sheep of the house of Romania on the Australian continent and to bring them to our sheepfold, which is our Romanian Orthodox Church, where they received the Holy Baptism and from where they left.” His Grace Mihail announced that local priests will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in different Romanian communities throughout the year, “so as people get to know each other and keep in touch with the Church.” The first Easter Liturgy in Dunedin, New Zealand Bishop Mihail recalled a pastoral visit he made to Dunedin, on New Zealand’s South Island. “They had never been visited by a bishop before. We have around 25 families in the city and in the area around. They work at the sheep and cattle farms,” said the bishop. These are Orthodox Romanians, but some of their children were not baptized. To reach them, the bishop flew for almost two hours and then he drove. “I arrived for Easter and we celebrated the Lord’s Resurrection together. They confessed their sins, they prepared themselves and their children to receive the Holy Communion. I also officiated different blessing services for them and have kept them in my heart ever since, incessantly praying for them,” recounted the bishop. |
| The Indonesian Mission of the Russian Church Abroad joins the Southeast-Asian Exarchate of the Moscow Patriarchate Source: ROCOR On Saturday, November 2, 2019, in the Church of St Thomas in Jakarta, Indonesia, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, an assembly of clergymen of the Indonesian Mission was held. Chaired by His Grace Bishop George of Canberra, Vicar of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand of ROCOR, the meeting included by invitation the Patriarchal Exarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Sergy of Singapore and Southeast Asia. Bishop George began the meeting by relaying the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Metropolitan Hilarion. During the meeting, Bishop George explained the state of affairs in the mission and announced the establishment by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of a Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia, consisting of four dioceses: Singapore, Korea, Thailand and Philippines-Vietnam. The Republic of Indonesia in within the canonical bounds of the Singapore Diocese, headed by Metropolitan Sergy. Bishop George then answered questions and led a general discussion. The assembly made the decision to unite with the new Singapore Diocese due to the lack of diocesan structures in Indonesia and for pastoral reasons. It was clarified that such a transfer accords with the Act of Canonical Communion of 2007, which anticipated the consolidation of diocesan structures in cases where it corresponded with pastoral needs. “The next stage in the establishment of the Orthodox Church in Indonesia has begun,” noted Vladyka Sergy. “We still have a great deal of work to do. The potential for the Orthodox Church in this region is enormous, and we see this in the attitude of the clergymen and flock. This new step will demand a great deal of love, faith, diligence and sacrifice, because the work here bears a missionary character.” |
| Сербский монастырь Хиландар на Афоне пострадал от сильного пожара 4 марта 2004г., Афон 4 марта 2004 года, около 1 часа после полуночи, в сербском монастыре Хиландар на Афоне начался сильный пожар , который распространился через кровлю и полностью уничтожил часть монастырского комплекса от игуменских покоев до башни Святого Саввы, включая гостиничный корпус. Церковь святого короля Милутина, ризница, архив и монастырская библиотека, к счастью, не пострадали. По милости Божьей, человеческих жертв нет. В тушении пожара принимали участие пять пожарных машин, прибывших из Кареи – административного центра Святой горы и из г. Полигироса, расположенного на полуострове Халкидики. Сгоревшая северо-западная часть монастырского корпуса была построена в 1821 году и недавно полностью обновлена. В ней располагались административные помещения и монастырская гостиница. Построенный в 1598 году северо-восточный Белый корпус, в котором проходила капитальная реставрация, также погиб в огне пожара. Пожар в монастыре Хиландар По многочисленным просьбам верующих желающих помочь пострадавшему монастырю, Патриарх Павел благословил открыть специальных счет для сбора пожертвований. Предстоятель Сербской Церкви заранее благодарит всех, кто хочет и имеет возможность помочь восстановлению древней святыни. Для оплаты в Сербии и Черногории Privredna вапка Beograd D. D. счет для оплаты в динарах: 908-25501-08-5070-1810003 валютный счет: 5428-0588005 Для других стран: 54. Receivers correspodent: DEUTSCHE BANK AG SWIFT code DEUTDEFF 57. Account with: EUR 936 2609 10 PRIVREDNA BANKA AD BEOGRAD SWIFT code PBBBCSBG 59. Beneficiary: 5428-0588005 Hilandar American Express Bank LTD New York 54. Receiver " s correspondent: AMERICAN EXPRESS BANK LTD.New York SWIFT code AEIBUS 33 57. Account with: USD/742460 PRIVREDNA BANKA BEPGRAD AD SWIFT CODE: PBBBCSBG 59. Beneficiary: 5428-0588005 Hilandar Australia 54. Receiver " s correspondent: AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP, MELBOURNE SWIFT code: ANZBAU3M 57. Account with: AUD 423343001 PRIVREDNA BANKA BEOGRAD AD SWIFT code: PBBBCSBG |
| 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 Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk addresses General Assembly of the World Council of Churches On November 1, 2013, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, delivered an address at a plenary session of the 10 th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches, taking place in Busan, South Korea. The WCC remains to this day a unique instrument of inter-Christian cooperation that has no analogy in the world, said Metropolitan Hilarion, who leads the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church to the WCC Assembly. In his address, the DECR chairman spoke on major challenges faced by the Christian world today. Among them is the militant secularism which is gathering strength in Europe and America as it seeks to expel religion from public life and to reject the basic moral norms common to all religious traditions. One of the main directions of its activity today is the straightforward destruction of traditional notions of marriage and the family. This is witnessed by the new phenomenon of equating homosexual unions with marriage and allowing same-sex couples to adopt children. Metropolitan Hilarion drew the attention of the assembly participants to the fact that over the past few years same-sex cohabitation has been legalized in a number of states in the USA, a number of Latin American countries, New Zealand as well as France, England and Wales. “Those countries that have recognized in law homosexual unions as one of the forms of marriage are taking a serious step towards the destruction of the very concept of marriage and the family. The family in its Christian understanding is falling apart to be replaced by such impersonal terms as " parent number one " and parent number two”, he stated. The head of the DECR stressed that the response of the Christian Churches to the challenges of the modern world should be based on Divine Revelation as handed down to us in the Bible. “In speaking out against all forms of discrimination, the Church nonetheless must vindicate the traditional Christian understanding of marriage as between a man and a woman, the most important mission of which is the birth and upbringing of children”, His Eminence said, expressing the regret that not all Churches are ready today to vindicate the biblical ideals by going against that which is fashionable and prevalent secular outlook. |
| Indonesian Orthodoxy Metropolitan Hilarion and Bishop Mark make a visit to Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia- Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral) of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) Archbishop of Australia and New Zealand arrived in Indonesia today and served a liturgy in Jakarta were he ordained 2 Indonesians deacons to the Priesthood. During the course of his visit to Indonesia His Eminence will ordain 4 priests and 1 deacon. In the ROCOR mission of Indonesia there are already over 2500 Indonesian Orthodox parishioners. The Dean of the Indonesian Orthodox mission Archimandrite Daniel Byantoro held a press-conference with www.pravoslavie.ru to describe the difficult situation in the rapidly expanding Orthodox mission in Indonesia. Indonesia “If there is a Russian Orthodox Theological Institution in Moscow who can teach our parishioners and newly ordained clergymen to preach Orthodoxy in the Indonesian language we urge you to establish a branch of your seminary in Indonesia. Many Indonesians will come to learn and obtain a degree in Theology. Our people want to be educated by the Russian Orthodox Church in the Orthodox faith. We do not have the capabilities to send our clergymen overseas to be obtain a theological education in the Russian Church. Also, Indonesians who are not Orthodox are attracted by the prospect of a higher educated with a degree. Through their education in a Theological Institute they will come to the Orthodox faith.” - Archimandrite Daniel Byantoro Discrimination of Orthodox Christians in Indonesia Founder of the Indonesian Orthodox Church - Archimandrite Daniel To hold a church service the Fr. Daniel must gather signatures from at least 16 Moslem neighbors who are over the age of 19 years old. Fr. Daniel is constantly denied permission because citizens are against the presence of a Christian Church in their area. The same rule applies to other Christian denominations in the area. Some Orthodox and Catholic parishes in the area coordinate their activities and help each other in response of the Muslim majority. |
| St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, Hosts a Venerated copy of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God Source: ROCOR Photo: T. Veselkina - Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese, S. Lukianov On Saturday and Sunday, December 14-15, 2019, Eastern American Diocesan Vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse performed an archpastoral visit to St Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ. Accompanying His Grace was the seminary choir and seminarians from Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY. On Saturday evening, Bishop Luke led the all-night vigil in the cathedral, co-served by rector Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Archpriest Vasily Kuzmych (cleric of the Mid-American Diocese), Archpriest Boris Slootsky, Archpriest Seraphim Chemodakov, Priest George Kaplanov, and Protodeacon Leonid Roschko (cathedral clerics), Protodeacon Alexander Kotlaroff (cleric of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand), and Deacon Michael Pavuk (cleric of St John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA). On Sunday, December 15, Bishop Luke was joined at Divine Liturgy with the aforementioned clergy, as well as Archpriest Rafael Melendez (cathedral cleric), Archpriest Boris Oparin (rector of St Joasaph of Belgorod Church in Brooklyn, NY), and Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (cathedral cleric). The seminary choir sang under the direction of Deacon Nicholas Kotar. At both services, the church was filled with parishioners arriving from New York and neighboring states to pray at the hierarchal Liturgy and venerate the revered wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God, which was restored for the first time in many years in memory of the ever-memorable rector of the cathedral, Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, with funds donated by his family. Many received Christ’s Holy Mysteries (Communion being distributed from three chalices). After the Eucharistic Canon, Bishop Luke ordained Subdeacon Andrey Silov a deacon. He will fulfill his service in St Joasaph of Belgorod Church in Brooklyn. Upon conclusion of Liturgy, Bishop Luke greeted the faithful with a sermon, in which he underscored that the most critical thing in the life of a Christian is above all to attain the Kingdom of God, confess and receive Communion, turn away from everything that binds us to sin, and to become virtuous. |
| Image: Facebook Orthodox cinema is one of the most underappreciated genres. What started as a simple idea in Melbourne has grown into the largest Orthodox film festival in the world. Chris Vlahonasios, Festival Director and Founder, has always been passionate about film. Alarmed at some aspects of the secular film industry, he was determined to create a festival which promoted the Orthodox phronema and our unique storytelling. In partnership with the University of St Katherine’s, Byzanfest 2021 is the most far reaching Orthodox film festival. The Festival has been streaming and screening the most diverse and creative short and feature films from around the Orthodox world. USK’s Byzanfest seeks to share and promote the faith, culture, history and creativity of Orthodoxy on a global scale. This year’s films cover a range of diverse topics: monasticism, disability, sci-fi dystopia and historical documentaries. One of the most intriguing is THE UNLOST HOMELAND, a comprehensive documentary that follows the story of 12 Greeks from Constantinople who lived through the pogrom of 7 th September 1955. There’s also the feature-length documentary HELLO ORTHODOX! Produced by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of New Zealand, tells the story of the miraculous events following Metropolitan Amfilochios Tsoukos’s arrival in the Pacific and his tireless efforts in bringing Orthodoxy to the islands of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. There are several aspects that make this year’s Byzanfest special. Besides its fifth anniversary, the Festival has for the first-time a “Best Female Director Award”. Another first is the “Best Screenplay in Development Award” to promote future production of features. All films will be available to stream from the Festival’s website . All short-films are free whilst features can be viewed by purchasing a 7-day Festival Pass or individually as a 24-hour rental. The Festival will be streaming online, as well as some venue screenings, from 30 October until 8 November 2021. |
| Metropolitan Tikhon welcomes Serbian Bishop Irinej to OCA Chancery On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon hosted His Grace, Bishop Irinej [Dobrijevic] of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America to the Chancery here. Elected in May 2016 by the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, replacing His Grace, Bishop Dr. Mitrophan, Bishop Irinej was enthroned at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA on October 1. Born and raised in Cleveland, OH to parents who left the former Yugoslavia at the conclusion of World War II, Bishop Irinej had previously served for a decade as the Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Australia and New Zealand. Bishop Irinej is a graduate of both Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA and Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY. Accompanied by his secretary, Milovan Jovanovic, Bishop Irinej was welcomed to the Chancery by Metropolitan Tikhon; Archpriest John Jillions, Chancellor; Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Secretary; Protopresbyter Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of External Affairs; and Alexis Liberovsky, Archivist. In Saint Sergius of Radonezh Chapel, the hierarchs venerated the relics and icons of the North American Saints. Metropolitan Tikhon formally welcomed Bishop Irinej before the hierarchs exchanged gifts. “On behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, I offer you my sincere congratulations on your enthronement as Bishop of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church and I look forward to working with you on the Assembly of Bishops level and in whatever other ways our Churches might collaborate,” Metropolitan Tikhon said in his welcoming remarks. “You are very familiar with the Orthodox Church in America, having graduated from both Saint Tikhon’s and Saint Vladimir’s Seminaries, and we are familiar with you from your good relations with our clergy and faithful over the years. As you mentioned on Saturday evening, there have historically been good relations between the Serbian Orthodox in America and the Metropolia, and those good relations continue today. |
| Photo: spzh.news Agia Sophia, the ancient Christian cathedral in Istanbul, will never become a church again, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan said recently in an angry commentary on the deadly New Zealand mosque shootings, reports Romfea . The shooter’s manifesto targets Turks and Erdoan specifically, reports Egypt Today . “We are coming for Constantinople and we will destroy every mosque and minaret in the city. The Hagia Sophia will be free of minarets and Constantinople will be rightfully christian [sic] owned once more,” the text reads. The Turkish President reacted to this statement, calling the murder a “scumbag, who dared to call the city by its former name.” Agia Sophia will not be turned into a church again “as long as there is a Turkish people and soul,” Erdoan continued. Romfea also noted that according to some Turkish media, the President “inadvertently called Agia Sophia” a mosque. It is currently officially considered a museum. Although the former church is officially a non-denominational museum, Turkey has repeatedly allowed Islamic prayers to be read inside, angering the Greek and broader Orthodox community. In April , Erdoan read out a prayer in Agia Sophia that he dedicated to “Istanbul’s conqueror”—Mehmed the Conqueror. In 2017, the Turkish president announced that he would read prayers in Agia Sophia on Orthodox Holy Friday . Although in the end he did not read the prayers that day, the announcement could serve no purpose other than to anger Christians. A Muslim cleric read from the Koran inside the Agia Sophia for the first time in 85 years in 2015, and the following year the Turkish government began airing religious readings during the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan , and the call to prayer was read out and broadcasted on television to mark the supposed revelation of the Koran to the “Prophet” Mohammed. The Greek Foreign Ministry called the reading on television last June “an unacceptable challenge to the religious sensibilities of all Christians.” |
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