| Patriarch Kirill: “No One Should Remain on the Sidelines from What is Happening in Montenegro and World Orthodoxy” Source: Foma (Russian) Photo by Oleg Varov/foto.patriarchia.ru His Holiness Patriarch Kirill considers it crucial to support Orthodox Christians of Montenegro in every possible way, who are going through difficult times today. It is also important to defend the purity of canonical Orthodoxy in general throughout the world, the Patriarch said. According to patriarchia.ru , the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church commented on the current situation in Montenegro on December 28 and noted that “great trials have befallen the Serbian Church today as well”. “A law has been adopted in Montenegro, a small country, which has always preserved a special attitude towards Russia. According to this law, all church property should go from the canonical Montenegrin diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church to schismatics. The ruling hierarch, His Beatitude Amfilohije (Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral), is fighting for Orthodoxy, he did not bow his head to the schismatics. However, we should not be silent either, and not only at the level of the Moscow Patriarchate or the Department for External Church Relations,” said the Patriarch. The Primate of the ROC believes that it is essential to “condemn the seizure of churches and any attempts by the state authorities of Montenegro to seize all property from the canonical Church”. “Today no one should remain on the sideline from what is happening in world Orthodoxy. We should write letters of support to His Beatitude Amfilohije, expressing our love, we should speak about the fact that the Russian Church remains together with Orthodox Christians of Montenegro. It is crucially important that those who are suffering today in Montenegro feel the support of our Church,” stressed Patriarch Kirill. He continued that we should likewise write exposing letters to the Patriarchate of Constantinople and “warn Greek hierarchs about the inadmissibility of the destruction of the unity of Orthodoxy”. |
| Montenegrin Parliament Officially Adopts Amendments to the Controversial Law on Religious Freedom Source: OrthoChristian Photo: vaticannews.va Montenegrin Parliament officially adopted amendments to the controversial “Law on Religious Freedom” on Tuesday, putting an end to the anti-Orthodox persecution envisioned by the previous ruling government. Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapi hailed the vote as a “victory for the rule of law and the people who defended the state on the streets for 12 months,” referring to the large-scale cross processions that swept the nation after the controversial law was adopted late last year. 41 out of 81 deputies voted for the amendments, the text of which were previously approved by the government. The opposition refused to participate in the vote, reports RTCG . Representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, including His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlja and Nikši, the administrator of the Metropolis of Montenegro since the recent repose of His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije, earlier announced that they were pleased with the proposed amendments. Under President Milo ukanovi and Prime Minister Duško Markovi, the government planned to use the “Law on Religious Freedom” to seize property from the Serbian Orthodox Church, claiming it belongs to the Montenegrin state. In adopting the amendments, the new government, which came into power on December 4, fixed this lamentable situation. “Despite the obstacles and violations of the Constitution, the Montenegrin Parliament adopted amendments today to the Law on Religious Freedom. Thus, a year later, the injustice that the former regime wanted to commit, especially against the Serbian Orthodox Church, considering it as property of Montenegro, was corrected,” wrote the Prime Minister. Now, all religious communities are equal before the law, he added. While hundreds of thousands of Montenegrins protested against the persecutorial law, there are also those who supported it. On Monday , several thousands gathered outside the parliament building in Podgorica, protesting the proposed amendments. They waved Montenegrin flags and chanted slogans such as “treason,” and “This is not Serbia.” |
| Archive The ‘Serbian Consolation for the Russian Heart’ international festival opens at the Orthodox St. Tikhon Humanitarian University. 19 October 2022 year 18:13 On 18th October 2022 in the Hall of Councils of the historical Diocesan House in Moscow, the main building of the Orthodox St. Tikhon Humanitarian University, there was the opening of the ‘Serbian Consolation for the Russian Heart’ international festival as part of the celebrations of the thirtieth anniversary of the university’s founding. The solemn opening of the festival was headed by the bishop of Zaraisk Constantine. The bishop greeted all those who had gathered and the honoured guests of the festival the metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Joanikije (Miovi), the bishop of Pacrac and Slavonia John (ulibrk) and the Serbian ambassador to Russia Mr. Momil Babi. In his speech bishop Constantine emphasized the importance of the spiritual communion of the two fraternal peoples: “Today we have a unique opportunity to become closely acquainted with the experience of the Serbian Church and listen to the voice of her archpastors. I hope that our conversations will be of great benefit, strengthen our fraternal ties and inspire us to interaction and prayer. Two exhibitions had been organized at the university for the festival, the first being ‘Serbian Holy Sites – Desecrated and Restored’ (by Ye.A. Osipov and M. Aimovi), dedicated to the monumental masterpieces of Kosovo and Metochia, and secondly, an exposition of works by the Serbian artist nun Maria (Anti), entitled ‘Jasenovac: Faith and Resurrection. Be faithful unto death and I shall give you the crown of life (Rev 2.10)’, (arranged by Father Alexei Pichigin and Father Maxim Brazhnikov). The exposition is an artistic rendering of the Christian feat of the Serbian new martyrs. The main event of the occasion was an evening dedicated to the memory of metropolitan Amphilochius (Radovi) (+30.10.2020), one of the hierarchs instrumental in defining the fate of Montenegro in modern history. |
| Patriarch Irenaeus: ‘Family as a Holy Union is Increasingly Threatened and Ruined under Various Impacts of the Modern World’ Source: DECR On July 8, 2018, the commemoration day of Ss Peter and Fevronia of Murom, His Holiness Irenaeus, Patriarch of Serbia, presided over the Divine Liturgy at Belgrade representation of the Russian Orthodox Church’s church of the Holy Trinity. The Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church was assisted by Archpriest Vitalij Tarasjev, rector of the metochion, and Belgrade clergy. The service was attended by A. Konanykhin, Russian cultural attaché in Belgrade; N. Popovic, Serbia’s minister of innovations and technological development; Ms. M. Radojevic, director of the Serbia’s Office for Religious Affairs; and Ms. N. Kuschenkova, director of the Russian House in Belgrade. Among the worshippers were representatives of the Night Wolves motorcycle club who are on a pilgrimage to Serbian holy places. Addressing Patriarch Irenaeus, Archpriest Vitalij Tarasjev noted with gratitude that for several years now, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church marks the Day of Ss Peter and Fevronia with the Divine Liturgy at the Moscow Patriarchate representation in Belgrade. For the prayerful memory, the rector of the methochion presented His Holiness with an icon-lamp, stressing that its light symbolizes His Holiness’s constant prayer and care for the flock. His Holiness greeted the worshippers on the occasion of the Day of Ss Peter and Fevronia as ‘intercessors for the sacredness of the Christian marriage’ and reminded the congregation that marriage was established by God immediately after the creation of the world. At the same time, he said, the Lord gave His blessing upon childbearing and for spouses there is no honour greater than ‘to be God’s co-workers in the creation of life’. ‘However’, he continued, ‘in our time, the family as a holy union is increasingly threatened and ruined under various impacts of the modern world’. Any deviation from God’s will, he said, and rejection of the family values and childbearing lie in the basis of demographic problems in various European countries, including Serbia. |
| Photo: mospat.ru From July 25 to 29, 2019, with a blessing of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church visited Slovenia for events held to mark the 103th anniversary of the foundation of the Chapel of the Most Holy Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles on the Vrsic Pass. The chapel was built there in memory of Russian war prisoners who died during World War I. The delegation was led by Bishop Siluan of Petergof, rector of St. Petersburg Theological Academy. Participating in the commemorative events was also the Academy’s mixed choir conducted by Sister Xenia (Kanshina). On July 25, the delegation arrived in Ljubljana. On that day, Bishop Siluan visited the Ss Cyril and Methodius Cathedral of the Metropolis of Zagreb-Ljubljana of the Serbian Orthodox Church. He was welcomed by Bishop Porfirije of Zagreb and Ljubljana and the clergy. In the church, they exchanged greetings and gifts and then at the adjoining administrative center the two hierarchs and delegations had a fraternal talk. After that, the Russian delegation visited the Apostolic Nunciature to meet with the Apostolic Nuncio in Slovenia, Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich. Then the guests came to the palace of Ljubljana Catholic Archbishops for a talk with the president of the Bishops’ Conference in Slovenia, Archbishop Stanislav Zore of Ljubljana. The archbishop warmly welcomed His Grace Siluan and took them on a brief tour of the Catholic cathedral St. Nicholas the Wonder-workers. On July 26, the Russian Orthodox delegation visited the Cistercian monastery in Sticna near Ljubljana. It is the oldest Cistercian monastery in Slovenia, which was first mentioned in chronicles in 1132. In the monastery, there was an inter-Christian meeting on the peace-making role of Christian Churches and prospects for academic contacts. Participating in it were Metropolitan Porfirije, Serbian Orthodox Church; Bishop Stanislaw Lipovsek of Celje, Roman Catholic Church in Slovenia; Father Nicholas Aracki, prior of the Cistercian Order’s abbey; Bishop Geza Filo, Evangelical Church of Slovenia; Rev. Matheus Mehle, director of the Catholic Institute of Youth; a delegation of the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Theology led by Prof. Robert Petkovsek; representatives of the Slovenia-Russia Society, and others. |
| ‘A Beautiful Problem’: Packed Salt Lake City’s Sts. Peter and Paul Launches New Orthodox Christian Church in Utah County Salt Lake City – A decade of growth has more than tripled the worshipers at Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Christian Church, leaving parishioners shoulder-to-shoulder for Sunday services – and overflowing down the stairs and outside for holidays and major feast days. The solution, following an 18-month search for suitable property, was the purchase of a 5.5-acre rural plot of land in Payson. Sts. Peter & Paul, having gained the blessings of the Utah County town’s planners and city council, hopes to begin construction in mid-June. “It’s a beautiful problem,” says the Rev. Fr. Justin Havens, pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul, “and for many years we have been looking for a solution; it became apparent that would be building a new, sister church.” The nave of Sts. Peter & Paul, the historic, Moorish Revival style, red brick and wood church at 355 South 300 East in Salt Lake City, regularly packs in more than 200 for Sunday liturgies; some 400 Orthodox Utahns call Sts. Peter & Paul – which began as a Jewish synagogue in 1903 – their spiritual home. Tentative plans are for His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, who has enthusiastically blessed the new church project, to consecrate the new Payson church in late fall or early winter of this year. (More specific information on his visit will be provided when finalized). Fr. Havens says the choice of Payson is perfect for his rapidly-growing congregation, half of which is comprised of converts – including former Catholics, Protestants and Latter-day Saints, as well as Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists and agnostics – as well as a rich, multi-ethic mix of Russian, Greek, Serbian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Bulgarian, and Middle Eastern Christians. “Among them are many families who have been driving in, sometimes up to an hour away, from the southern Salt Lake Valley and Utah County. We decided our second church should be in Utah County, a more convenient location for those folks,” Havens explains. |
| Photo: eparhijabihackopetrovacka.org The remains of several martyrs were discovered during restoration work at a 15th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery in Bosnia earlier this month. The holy relics “were literally embedded in the foundation of the sacred monastery and preserved it in difficult and stormy times,” the Serbian Diocese of Biha and Petrovac reports about the renovations at St. Nicholas Rmanj Monastery. Among the discovered remains were those of ten monks, priests, and laborers, including those of the well-known 19th-century Hieromartyr Cvijo Zori, a widowed priest whom the people considered an honorary monk due to his virtuous life. He was worked to death by the local ruler, whose cruelty towards the Orthodox is documented in the memoirs of the English archaeologist John Arthur Evans. On April 5, His Grace Bishop Sergije of Biha and Petrovac placed the relics in a specially made reliquary. The holy remains, which were once embedded and preserved in the foundation of the monastery, will not remain in the church for the veneration of the faithful. The diocese considers it providential that the relics should be found now, when the area is experiencing a great Orthodox revival. The Rmanj Monastery was built in 1443, and has been a spiritual center for the local Serbian Orthodox ever since. The local diocese was based there for more than a century. During the Ottoman period, it was razed to the ground several times. The last great ruin came in 1944 when the Nazis completely destroyed the monastery by bombing. It was restored with great difficulty in the 1980s, but it was robbed and severely damaged by Croatian troops during the war in 1995. The monastery was rebuilt and consecrated in 2001. Rmanj Monastery was proclaimed a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2007. Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. |
| Pan-Orthodox Meeting To Be Held Today Representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church at the Fairmont Hotel. Photo: UOJ A meeting of Christian Orthodox Church leaders and representatives to discuss the situation around the new church of Ukraine (OCU) will be held in Amman on Wednesday, reports Interfax. Only four Local Churches, out of the total 15, will be represented by their heads: Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, whose idea it was to hold the meeting; Patriarch Kirill of Moscow; Patriarch Irinej of Serbia; and Patriarch Rostislav of the Czech lands and Slovakia. The Polish and Romanian churches will delegate their archbishops. Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople declined to attend, claiming he had the sole power to call such meetings. Others followed suit, including the Greek Churches of Hellas, Alexandria, and Albania, and the Antioch Patriarchate of Georgia, Bulgarian, and Cyprus Churches. The meeting will be held behind closed doors. The patriarch of Jerusalem blessed only the Jordanian state broadcaster to cover the event. On Tuesday, two groups of Russian journalists were asked to leave the grounds of the Fairmont Hotel, which will be providing both the accommodation for the attendees and will also be used as venue on February 26. Attempts by Russian reporters to film from the rooftop of a nearby building were foiled by police. The first part of meeting, expected to begin after a morning prayer and last for three hours, will be followed by a three-hour audience with King Abdullah II, after which a second, evening part will begin, where the participants are to formulate a joint position on the Ukrainian issue. In December 2018, the Patriarchate of Constantinople, backed by the former government of Ukraine, set up a new church in the country. The Russian Orthodox Church responded by cutting off communion with the patriarchate. For many months, the non-canonical church was recognized only by Constantinople. However, last fall, recognition came from the head and part of the episcopate of the Greek Church, followed by that from the Patriarch of Alexandria who ministers to Orthodox communities in Africa. |
| Representatives of Local Churches Greet Patriarch Kirill on the Day of the Baptism of Russia Source: DECR Photo: mospat.ru On 28 July 2020, the representatives of Local Orthodox Churches to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia took part in the celebration of the commemoration day of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, which centered on the Patriarchal liturgy at the cathedral Church of Christ the Saviour. Among Patriarch Kirill’s concelebrants were Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis (Orthodox Church of Antioch), Bishop Anthony of Moravici (Serbian Orthodox Church), Archimandrite Seraphim (Shemyatovsky), (the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. Among the speakers at the festive repast after the liturgy was Metropolitan Niphon who addressed His Holiness Kirill, stressing, ‘Glorifying today Prince Vladimir the Baptizer of Russia, we as representatives of Local Churches to your see, greet you on this great feast respectfully pointing to the firm decision of the people of the Kievan Rus’ to follow their prince and live up the words of St. Paul who prayed that all may become what I am (Acts. 26:29)’. ‘In Rus’, Christianity acquired a special spiritual power, strengthening people’s love for their motherland, producing its own missionaries who preached Orthodoxy in other countries, enriching the world with saints who now intercede for us before God’s Throne’, he said. ‘Through centuries, Orthodox Rus’ was a pillar for other Local Churches, and we will never forget the fraternal support she have us in the times of the Ottoman aggression’, he testified referring in particular to the creation in 1848 of the Moscow Antiochian Representation, ‘to meet the needs of the Patriarchate of Antioch which endured distress in the 18 th -19 th centuries’. ‘And all the consequent Synods, Metropolitans and Patriarchs of Moscow continued this sacred mission of help to our Church of Antioch and other sister Churches’, he stressed. ‘Your Holiness, during your ministry as Primate of the Russian Church, we in the East have repeatedly received special shows of attention, care, brotherly attitude of the Holy Russian Church. One can say, a new tree of life has been planted, which brings the fruit of love in the Orthodox world’, he noted and wished His Holiness many years of life and the Lord’s help in his service ‘to preserve the spiritual heritage of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir for the glory of holy Orthodoxy’. |
| 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 DIALOGUE AND UNITY Press release on the results of the fraternal meeting of the Orthodox Primates and delegates (26 February 2020 - Amman, Jordan) On February 26, 2020, a meeting of Primates and representatives of Local Orthodox Churches was held in Amman, Jordan, with the primary view of unity and reconciliation within the Holy Orthodoxy. The participants noted their understanding of the anguish of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for the imminent danger of schism within our Orthodox Communion. Participating in the meeting were delegations of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem led by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, the Russian Orthodox Church led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the Serbian Orthodox Church led by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, the Romanian Orthodox Church led by His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon of Targoviste, the Polish Orthodox Church led by His Eminence Archbishop Abel of Lublin and Chelm, and the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. The participants expressed their gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Hashemite Custodian of the Christian and Muslim Holy Places in the Holy Land and to the people of Jordan for facilitating the hosting of this gathering in their capital city, Amman, noting His Majesty’s outstanding work in promoting interfaith dialogue internationally. The participants also thanked the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos for all the relentless efforts aimed at paving the way for dialogue and bringing brothers together in the precious spirit of unity, noting that the light that emanates from Jerusalem stands as a witness to that Holy City which continuously proclaims its multi-faith and multicultural tapestry rejoicing in its existence as the warm home for the three Abrahamic faiths, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. |
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