| Archive Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: Preparation of Pan-Orthodox Council should take into account real needs and interests of Churches 14 February 2022 year 12:41 “In the foreseeable future, the conducting of a Pan-Orthodox Council is not planned, since serious differences have arisen in the family of Orthodox Churches also over the issues concerning by whom and how Councils can be convened”, Metropolitan Hilarion, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate said answering a question from a TV viewer at the Church and the World program. His Eminence reminded the audience that Councils, known in the history of the Church as Ecumenical, were convened by Byzantine emperors who also chaired them. In total, there were seven Ecumenical Councils in the period from the 4th to the 8th centuries. After a rupture took place in the 11th century between the Eastern Church and the Western Church, Councils continued to be convened in the West, with the Pope of Rome chairing them. It was not the case in the East. An attempt to convene a Pan-Orthodox Council was made as late as the mid-20th century, and its preparation lasted for over fifty years. Eventually, in 2016, a Council of ten Churches took place in 2016 in Crete, which cannot be called Pan-Orthodox because four Local Orthodox Churches did not take part in it out of the fourteen universally recognized Local Orthodox Churches. In addition, the decisions of the Council of Crete were not accepted by all the Churches. However, the need to hold a Pan-Orthodox Council does exist, the DECR Chairman believes. “But before holding this Council, it should be thoroughly prepared”, His Eminence stressed, “The fifty odd years allotted to prepare it proved to be not enough because literally in the last weeks before the Council, which was planned as Pan-Orthodox, a few Churches refused to attend it, and every one of them had her own reasons for it. Accordingly, to prepare a new Council it is necessary to prepare it more thoroughly”. At the same time, His Eminence does not think the preparation should be extremely long, as it is most important that “it should take into account the real interests and real needs of Local Orthodox Churches” - something that was not done in preparing the 2016 Council of Crete. DECR Communication Service /Patriarchia.ru Календарь ← 7 December 2023 year |
| Диакон Владимир Василик 20 апреля 2013 г. произошло освящение Поклонного креста на Пискаревском мемориальном кладбище Санкт-Петербурга в память о православных блокадниках, погибших в Великую Отечественную Войну в Ленинграде в 1941-1944 годах. English Edition [Homilies and Spiritual Instruction] Abba Dorotheos Abba Dorotheus said that one who trusts in his own understanding or judgment cannot submit to nor follow the good example of his neighbor. He likewise said: Being passionate, we cannot at all believe in our own hearts; for a crooked rule will make even the straight crooked. [News] Four Frontliners, Orthodox clergy experienced and trained in emergency response, will take on the task of assessing the needs of those affected by the tragedy and providing crisis counseling at local emergency care centers set up throughout the city. [News] During the festive evening that took place on April 20 in the capital of Sicily in " Teatro Massimo " , the consul general of the Russian Federation in Palermo V.L. Korotkov announced awarding with commemorative medals of a number of public figures who labored for establishment of good relations between south Italy and Russia. [News] Greek Hierarchs consider the order of the Ministry of Finance of April 2. [News] A non-commercial center for the protection of family and personal health is being set up in Belarus. It will give systematic counseling and rehabilitation to the victims of unhealthy forms of religiosity (destructive cults and sectarian distortions of traditional religions) and quasi-religious groups (for example, commercial cults with pyramid marketing), to their families and relatives. [Coming to Orthodoxy] Olga Rozhneva God’s providence leads us through life; and how good it is for those who can hear it in time, who try to understand God’s will for themselves. If we make plans for one thing or another but find numerous obstacles on our path to attaining it, we have to slow down and try to discern—is this plan God’s will for us? Sometimes the Lord protects us from danger, holds us back from our impulsive race through life, but we don’t understand it, we keep fussing, insisting upon our own will, instead of simply stepping back, waiting a bit, trying some other way... |
| Archive Holy Synod voices support to the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church 4 April 2019 year 15:07 On April 4, 2019, the Holy Synod under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia discussed the situation in Ukraine (Minutes 21). Members of the Synod resolved to support the Statement of the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of April 3. It reads: “The idea of overcoming the church schism in Ukraine by the granting of the Tomos of autocephaly to the uncanonical church groups (“UOC-KP” and “UAOC”) has turned out to be an error. None of the Local Orthodox Churches has recognized this illegal act perpetrated by the Patriarchate of Constantinople while a large part of the Local Churches, including the Churches of Antioch, Russia, Serbia, Cyprus, Albania, Poland and Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, have already expressed in various forms their disagreement with the decisions made by the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Local Churches have also stated that they did not recognize the newly created “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” as well as consecrations performed in this structure and prohibit their clergy to have any prayerful contacts and liturgical concelebration with its representatives in any form whatsoever. Thus, there was no reception, in other words acceptance, by world Orthodoxy of the actions perpetrated by the Patriarchate of Constantinople; which, in fact, has attempted to legalise the schism. Indeed, the legalization of the schism is not a way along which church unity can be achieved. We remind you that according to the historical-canonical tradition of the Church, autocephaly is granted only to a one Church within a certain state, and not to any part that has broken off from the Body of the Church.” The Holy Synod voiced full support to the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church which is undergoing hardships. The participants in the meeting underscored that the plenitude of the Russian Orthodox Church highly appreciates courage and firmness of the bishops, clerics, monks and nuns and pious laypersons of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at the time of persecutions unleashed against it by the current state authorities of Ukraine. Patriarchia.ru Календарь ← 7 December 2023 year |
| Archive Holy Synod calls upon Primates of Local Orthodox Churches to initiate pan-Orthodox discussion on the church situation in Ukraine 14 September 2018 year 20:29 On 14 September 2018, at its extraordinary session , the Holy Synod adopted a statement concerning the uncanonical invasion of the Patriarchate of Constantinople of the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church. “The unilateral, uncanonical actions of the See of Constantinople in the territory of Ukraine, committed while ignoring completely the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, indicate a direct support for the Ukrainian schism. It constitutes a great temptation among the millions-strong flock of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that the Patriarchate of Constantinople, considering itself to be the Mother Church for the Ukrainian Church, gives to its daughter a stone instead of bread and a serpent instead of a fish (cf. Lk. 11:11),” the statement reads. The document notes that “in this critical situation, when Constantinople has practically refused to resolve the matter by means of dialogue,” the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to suspend the liturgical prayerful commemoration of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and the con-celebration with hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. “In the event that the Patriarchate of Constantinople will continue to carry out its uncanonical activities in the territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, we will be compelled to completely break off the Eucharistic communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople. All the responsibility for the tragic consequences of this division will lie personally with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and the hierarchs supporting him,” the statement says. Being aware that the current situation puts in jeopardy the whole world Orthodoxy, the members of the Synod asked the Local Autocephalous Churches for support and called upon the Primates of the Churches “to fully realize our shared responsibility for the fate of the world Orthodoxy and initiate a fraternal pan-Orthodox discussion on the church situation in Ukraine.” Patriarchal Press Service Календарь ← 7 December 2023 year |
| Archive Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church take part in the second meeting of the Pan-Orthodox Secretariat for the Preparation of the Holy and Great Council 21 May 2016 year 16:31 On 18-20 May 2016, the second session of the Pan-Orthodox Secretariat for the Preparation of the Holy and Great Council took place on the island of Crete. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, taking part in the meeting were archpriest Nikolai Balashov, vice-chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, a member of the Secretariat; Rev. Alexander Volkov, head of the Patriarchal Press Service, an advisor of the Secretariat; and Rev. Anatoly Churyakov, DECR staff member. The participants in the meeting chaired by Metropolitan Jeremiah of Switzerland (Patriarchate of Constantinople), coordinator of the Secretariat, visited the venue of the Council, the Orthodox Academy of Crete, and saw how the preparation work was being carried out. On the feast day of Pentecost, the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches are expected to celebrate together the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Great Martyr Menas in the archdiocese of Crete. On the eve of the feast, the evening service will be celebrated at the Church of the Holy Apostle Titus. The members of the Secretariat visited the churches and put forward their proposals concerning the organization of the divine services on the feast day. Discussed at the meetings that took place in Heraklion and later at the Orthodox Academy of Crete were the preparation and the organization of the Holy and Great Council, whose sessions will begin on June 20, the Day of the Holy Spirit. The representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches also raised some matters of protocol and working procedure, discussed in detail how the official website of the Council will work, and formulated principles of accreditation and work of the press during the Council. While in Crete, the representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches met with Archbishop Irenaeus of Crete at the Agaraphos Monastery of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. DECR Communication Service Календарь ← 7 December 2023 year |
| Archive The Russian Orthodox Church helps the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to build a church 2 March 2021 year 11:52 On February 28, 2021, with a blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, Archimandrite Alexander (Yelisov) accompanied by his deputy Hieromonk Dometian (Markarian), made a visit to Israel’s Northern District. During his trip Father Alexander visited the city of Sakhnin where, with a blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, a church is being built for the local Christian population historically confessing Orthodoxy. The northern cities and settlements in Israel are special in that the Christian population there is indigenous, as they have preserved faithfulness to their religious beliefs for many centuries in spite of multiple political changes. This is why the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem shows special concern for the pastoral care of this region. The church under construction is planned by Patriarch Theophilos to become a spiritual pillar for all the local Orthodox Christians so that they could feel the support of the Mother Church in their historical home. Sharing the concern of the Church of Jerusalem, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill has made his own contribution to the church under construction and gifted it a carved communion table for the main altar dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God, as well as two communion tables for the church’s side-altars. The communion tables were produced by the workshops of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus. Archimandrite Alexander met with the warden of the church under construction, Dr M. Gantus and representatives of the parish community who were inspired by the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church in their work. The parish council persistently asked the head of the Mission to convey words of gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill noting that his good gesture will stay in the memory of the present and future generations of local Christians. Before the meeting began, Archimandrite Alexander and his party visited the Magdala representation of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in which they celebrated the Sunday Divine Liturgy at the church of St Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles. DECR Communication Service /Patriarchia.ru Календарь ← 7 December 2023 year |
| Archive Bishops of Local Orthodox Churches express support to Lvov diocese of Ukrainian Orthodox Church over arson attack on Church of St. Vladimir in Lvov 8 February 2018 year 11:28 Following an arson attack on the Church of St. Vladimir in Lvov, which occurred on February 3, 2018, Archbishop Philaret of Lvov and Galich keeps receiving letters from hierarchs of the Local Orthodox Churches. On February 3, a letter from Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Nikši (Serbian Orthodox Church) came, in which he condemned the actions of the arsonists and expressed his support to the archpastor, clergy and laypeople of the Lvov diocese. “It is hard to believe that in the country, to which the holy prince had brought the light of Christ’s Gospel, his churches are being subjected to arsons. This crime could only be committed by those who are completely devoid of Christian ethics and respect for the fundamental right of every human being to have his/her own house of prayer,” the message reads, in particular. Bishop Joanikije also expressed his hope that the law enforcement agencies would do all within their power to find the criminals and would defend the right of believers to have their churches where they meet with God. While referring to the arson attack on the church in Lvov and to the sorrows of the Church throughout its history, Bishop Jovan of Pakrac and Slavonia (Serbian Orthodox Church), mentioned in this context death camps in Jasenovac in Croatia, “where in the 20th century the blood of hundreds of thousands of Orthodox Christians was shed by those who also called themselves Christians.” He assured Archbishop Philaret of his prayers and promised to raise the problem of sufferings and discrimination of the clergy and laypeople of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church while interacting with international organizations. Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veroia, Naousa and Kampania (Orthodox Church of Greece) called the arson a sacrilegious act, regardless of who had committed it, as well as a shameful and mean manifestation of religious intolerance, and also assured Archbishop Philaret of his support. DECR Communication Service /Patriarchia.ru Календарь ← 7 December 2023 year |
| Archive His Holiness Patriarch Kirill greets Primates of Local Orthodox Churches with Nativity of Christ 6 January 2014 year 19:32 His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent Christmas greetings to the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches: His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria, His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya II of All Georgia, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania, His Holiness Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria, His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania, His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland, His Beatitude Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, and His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada. The message reads: “Christ is born! Glorify Him! By these joyful words of a church hymn I cordially greet you and congratulate you on the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. Now we are radiantly celebrating, giving thanks to the Creator and commemorating the miracle of the Incarnation of God – the most important event in the history of the economy of our salvation, which occurred over two thousand years ago in a small town in the east of the Roman Empire. Born not in royal chambers, but in a squalid cave in Bethlehem, the Lord Jesus Christ brought to earth a new covenant – the covenant of love which is truly more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mk 12:33). May this love, being sent from above, strengthen you in your Primatial ministry and inspire you to pray zealously on behalf of all and for all .” The message concludes with wishes of strength, God’s generous help and success in the service for the good of the Holy Church. DECR Communication Service /Patriarchia.ru Календарь ← 7 December 2023 year |
| Archive Пн 2 October 2018 year 11:24 18 September 2018 year 14:59 In his interview to RBC-Ukraine, Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary, chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, told about the sentiments prevailing among the clergy and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with regard to the recent developments in the church life in Ukraine, as well as about the likely reaction of other Local Churches in the event that Constantinople will grant a tomos to the Ukrainian schismatics, and the preparations by the authorities for taking a series of actions against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – adoption of anti-church laws and provocations against the major Orthodox holy sites in Ukraine. Metropolitan Anthony also noted that the faithful would defend their rights by all legal means. 14 September 2018 year 12:16 12 September 2018 year 13:21 8 September 2018 year 21:41 The communiqué of the Chief Secretariat of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople, published on September 7, states that two hierarchs, Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (USA) and Bishop Hilarion of Edmonton (Canada), were appointed “exarchs” of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Kiev. In his interview to Russia 24 TV channel, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, commented on the current situation and the reaction of the Moscow Patriarchate on the aforementioned decisions. 2 September 2018 year 12:10 30 July 2018 year 18:43 His Beatitude Theodoros, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, came to Moscow for the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’ and spent in Russia more than one day. He spoke about his visit, the view held by one of the oldest and largest Local Orthodox Churches in the world on the situation of the faithful in Ukraine, the political pressure exerted over the problem of autocephaly, the persecution against Christians in Africa and the problem of refugees, in an exclusive interview with the RIA Novosti news agency. 28 June 2018 year 09:45 16 June 2018 year 16:05 28 May 2018 year 10:09 23 May 2018 year 19:14 The Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople has stated its intention to discuss with all the Local Orthodox Churches the appeal made to it by Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko to create an autocephalous Church in Ukraine. Is there today a commonly accepted procedure for granting church independence – autocephaly and what does canon law say about this mechanism? – a detailed explanation given to RIA Novosti by the vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, Archpriest Nikolay Balashov. 16 April 2018 year 13:02 13 February 2018 year 15:06 16 June 2016 year 22:54 15 June 2016 year 13:52 Календарь ← 18 апреля 2024 г. (5 апреля ст.ст.) четверг 7 April 2024 year |
| Archive Holy Synod discussed consequence of Patriarchate of Constantinople’s invasion in canonical territory of Ukrainian Orthodox Church 28 December 2018 year 20:57 On December 30, 2018, at its session the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church discussed the grave consequences of the anti-canonical and criminal invasion of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the canonical territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Minutes No. 98). The Holy Synod has resolved to attest to its agreement with the assessment of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s invasion in the canonical territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, made in the introductory remarks of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia at the meeting of the Supreme Church Council on December 26, 2018, and in his letters to the Primates of Local Orthodox Churches. A special emphasis was given to the uncanonical nature of the ‘Uniting Council’ which took place in Kiev on December 15 and which was attended by members of the schismatic groups led by the Patriarch of Constantinople’s representative, Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, and Ukrainian President P. A. Poroshenko. An agreement was expressed with the canonical assessment of this event made by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Synod in its Decision of December 17, 2018. The Synod attested to its profound concern for the adoption of the discriminatory Ukrainian Law “On Amendments to the Ukrainian Law ‘On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations’ as it gives secular politicians grounds for seeking to deprive the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of her canonical and lawful name and assessed this legislative action as a grave violation of the principle of the state’s non-interference in the internal affairs of religious communities as sealed in the Ukrainian Constitution. It was noted that this law comes into contradiction with the fundamental international documents on defence of human rights and freedoms. The Synod decided to appeal to the Primates and Holy Synods of fraternal Local Orthodox Churches to support Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine, the episcopate, clergy, monastics and faithful children of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in connection with the present trials and not to recognize as an autocephalous Local Orthodox Church the community established at the so-called ‘Uniting Council’ in Kiev on December 15, 2018. Patriarchia.ru/ DECR Communication Service Календарь ← 7 December 2023 year |
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