| Memorial Service Takes Place at the Vladimirskaya Cathedral in St. Petersburg on Dostoevsky’s birthday Source: Pravmir.ru November 12, 2014. A memorial service for Fyodor Dostoevsky, the genius of the Russian language, took place at the Vladimirskaya Cathedral in St. Petersburg on November 11, the 193rd anniversary of his birth. The Blagovest-Info website has reported that the memorial service was chaired by Archpriest Gennady Belovolov, the research scientist of the Dostoevsky Apartment Museum, with Priest Alexander Prokofiev, a cleric of the church, concelebrating. In his speech, Father Gennady stressed the relevance of Dostoevsky’s writings and the importance of his personality for modern people. He noted that the birthday of the national genius is a nationwide holiday every single year. “Dostoevsky is the conscience of both our and any other times. Many people fight for justice at this momentous year for Russia, when there is bloodshed in the neighboring country, which is in fact the Russian land too. Fyodor Mikhailovich believed that the level of people’s morality should be judged by the great thirst for justice,” the priest pointed out. “Today, when ideals promoted by Dostoevsky are being mocked at and corroded, is the perfect time to remember his words: ‘How often a Russian laughs at something that he should cry over’,” Father Gennady reminded. Present at the service were scientists, who gathered at the memorial apartment museum of the writer on these commemoration days and will attend annual international readings dedicated to the writer’s life and works. Among the praying people was a great-grandson of the writer, Dmitry Dostoevsky. Memorial services for Dostoevsky have been held in St. Petersburg since the 80s. It has become a church and cultural tradition of the Northern capital to pray at the spiritual house of Dostoevsky, the church that the writer had attended. 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. |
| Muslim Fulani herdsmen massacred some 120 Christians in central Nigeria over the weekend, the majority of whom were returning from the funeral of the father of a local Christian clergyman. In an attack that lasted several hours, heavily armed gunmen identified as Fulani herdsmen open-fired on citizens in a number of villages in Plateau State, killing about 120 and injuring over 200 more as they returned from the funeral of a local Christian minister. The herdsmen reportedly also burned some 50 homes to the ground. The pastor in charge of Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Pam Chollom, said that majority of those killed in the attack were Christian mourners. “Herdsmen attacked our members who attended the burial of the father to one of our clergy, Baba Jakawa,” Pastor Chollom said, adding that the deceased man was over 80 years old and a committed member of the church, “so his burial attracted many sympathizers.” “The armed men ambushed the sympathizers on their way back from the burial, attacked and killed 34 persons from Nekan village, 39 others from Kufang, and 47 people from Ruku village,” he said. One eye-witness to the attack, Masara Kim, who was also returning from the funeral service and narrowly escaped being killed himself, said that the assailants “opened fire on the convoy of sympathizers and bullets hit a vehicle which I was travelling in, injuring one person.” “At least four other travelers were critically wounded in different other vehicles,” he said, with many of the injured scattering into the underbrush “amid heavy gunfire.” “The attackers by their looks, were herdsmen,” he said. The attacks, which are being described as an “11-village massacre,” began at about 1:00 p.m. Saturday and lasted until 8:00 that evening, according to police reports. On Sunday, Plateau State Police Command said it had counted 86 bodies, but since then the estimate of casualties has grown to approximately 120. Mainstream media such as CNN reporting on the story predictably downplayed the religious nature of the attack and the identity of the assailants, vaguely describing the incident as an example of “ethnic tensions.” |
| Photo: Fr. Daniel Naberejny/Diocèse de Chersonèse/flickr.com On July 23, 2022, the remains of Archbishop Feofan (Bystrov) of Poltava and Pereyaslavl’ arrived in St Petersburg from Paris for reburial. The bishop’s relics were greeted at Pulkovo Airport by representatives of the organization “Lestvitsa” and distant relatives of the late hierarch. The coffin was then taken to St Alexander Nevsky Lavra, where Archbishop Feofan was met by Orthodox faithful, many of whom venerated it. It was then interred in a crypt at Holy Trinity Cathedral, where Metropolitan Antony (Melnikov) and Metropolitan (Vorontsov) are also laid to rest. A funerary litiya was performed for the hierarch from abroad by Hieromonk Alexy (Stepanov). One of the organizers of the return of the remains of Vladyka Feofan, Pavel Dubrov, called the event historic, and not yet properly appreciated. “For many years I have produced the series ‘Lavra Meetings’ on Soyuz TV,” said Priest Anatoly Pershin. “Once a family from Latvia came to our studio, an Andrei Kurasin and Irina Izvekova, who lead a youth group called ‘Lestvitsa.’ They told me the story of Vladyka Feofan, ‘the New Recluse,’ the spiritual father of the Royal Family. They were the initiators of the project to return the hierarch’s remains to the Russian land. We broadcast this plan throughout the world. There were many difficulties in bringing his remains home, despite the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and His Eminence Metropolitan Varsonofy. The last minute there were some irregularities in the paperwork, and customs held up the move We prayed here to the Royal Passion-bearers, and the matter was resolved. This was a miracle which occurred before our very eyes.” Egor Kurasim, the son of Irina and Andrei, said that some time ago he moved to Moscow and helped his parents obtain the necessary documentation. “Lestvitsa” works with Russian children and youth in the Baltics. Its directors, having met Pavel Dubrov, a long-time admirer of Vladyka Feofan, decided to help move his remains back to Russia. They found his grave, which was in a terrible state, participated in his exhumation in person and spent eight years working on the formalities. “I am happy that the spiritual father of the Royal Family returned to his historic homeland. This should help unite society,” said Mr Kurasin. |
| Photo: storylinemissions.org Applications for 2022 Church Planting Grants are now being accepted by the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Evangelization . “Grants of up to are awarded to first-year recipients,” explained Archpriest Thomas Soroka, Project Manager of the Departments of the Orthodox Church in America. “The grant money must be used solely to assist in providing a salary for a full-time resident priest and be matched by the qualifying mission, deanery, or diocese.” Grants may be renewed for a maximum of three years. Missions that received grants in 2021 or 2020 must apply anew for the coming year, noting growth and progress in the mission or any changes to the status or stability of the mission. “A total of over in Church Planting Grants has been awarded to missions since the program was initiated two decades ago. Our goal in this program is to help support missions transition to full parish status,” Father Thomas added. Detailed information and application forms are available online . Applications must be received by the Department of Evangelization no later than Friday, October 8, 2021, to receive consideration. Grant applications must be reviewed and approved by each mission’s respective diocesan bishop before they are submitted. After a review by the Department, recommendations for qualified missions will be submitted to the Holy Synod of Bishops for final approval. Grants are to be used in the 2022 calendar year. For additional information, please contact Father Thomas Soroka at tsoroka@oca.org . The Mission Planting Grant Program is made possible in part due to the generous support of the Stewards of the Orthodox Church in America . The generous gifts of Stewards fund the development of programs and resources to assist parishes, missions, and faithful thrive in effective ministry. 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. |
| Prayers for Deliverance from Coronavirus Epidemic to Be Held Weekly at the Chinese Metochion in Moscow Source: Foma (Russian) Photo: st-nicholas.ru A prayer service for deliverance from the coronavirus epidemic, which is spreading in different countries of the world, will be performed weekly at the Chinese Patriarchal Metochion in Moscow. Archpriest Igor Zuev, Rector of the metochion, stated that the services will take place at St. Nicholas Church in Golutvin. According to him, the services will be held weekly on Sundays after the Chinese Liturgy, at 9:15, until the situation improves. “Prayer singing and prayer for the health of God’s servants in the land of China will be performed during a destructive pestilence and a deadly ulcer,” said Father Igor, reports RIA news agency. The priest noted that prayers during various large-scale emergencies are a natural tradition for the Orthodox Church. Archpriest Igor Zuev said that before the revolution, it was common for believers during epidemics of cholera or plague to impose a multi-day fast on themselves, perform prayer services and hold religious processions with miraculous icons or to holy places. Father Igor recalled, prayers “during a fatal plague and a fatal ulcer” were performed, for example, in 2009 in the Voronezh Metropolis on the occasion of the flu epidemic. Speaking about the essence of prayer, the clergyman emphasized that “a prayer is not a panacea or magic.” “From the point of view of the Orthodox faith, death, illness and suffering are the result of human sin… Therefore, in prayers for health and getting rid of pestilence, it is imperative to ask God to forgive our sins,” the archpriest explained. Earlier the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the outbreak of a new coronavirus as a public health emergency of international importance. Translated by pravmir.com 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. |
| 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 presides over All-Night Vigil in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Washington On May 13, 2017, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR), celebrated All-Night Vigil at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, the parish founded in September 1949 by St. John the Wonderworker of Shanghai. The archpastor was assisted by Archbishop Jonah (Paffhausen) of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa, Bishop Ioann of Naro-Fominsk, administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest Nikolay Danilevich, DECR deputy chairman, Ukrainian Orthodox Church; Archpriest Victor Potapov, rector of the church; Hieromonk Ioann (Kopeikin), pro-rector for training, Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies; Archpriest Yaroslav Lutoshkin, and other clergy of the cathedral. In his homily after the Vigil, Metropolitan Hilarion said that he was delighted to meet again with the rector of the parish, Archpriest Victor Potapov, and to celebrate in that church. ‘Already as a schoolboy in the Soviet time, I tried to catch Father Victor’s voice through jammed broadcasts as he anchored programs for Orthodox believers on Radio Liberty’, His Eminence reminisced. Metropolitan Hilarion reminded the congregation that in a few days it will be ten years since the Act of Canonical Communion was signed between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Church Outside Russia, which marked the restoration of unity within the Local Russian Orthodox Church. ‘It enabled us to stand before God’s altar for all these years and to partake from one Eucharistic Cup and to feel members of one Body of the Church of Christ, the Russian Orthodox Church, which has enlightened our Russian and many other peoples through centuries. And today our holy Church is present in various countries and cities where there are our faithful and prayers are said in Church Slavonic or a particular vernacular. And here, too, services are celebrated in both Church Slavonic and English since it is important that they should be understood by the faithful’, he said. |
| Archbishop of Australia Tested Positive for COVID-19, Shows Mild Symptoms Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who underwent a diagnostic test for coronavirus, was diagnosed positive on Tuesday, January 4. The Archbishop, who is fully vaccinated, showed mild symptoms of Covid-19 and was immediately placed in self-isolation to prevent the spread of the virus, reports the Orthodox Times . On this occasion, the Archbishop reiterates his paternal request and exhortation to the pious members of the local Church and to all our fellow human beings, without exception, to faithfully follow the instructions of the expert scientists, especially during the current period when the coronavirus is spreading and evolving rapidly. More specifically, Archbishop Makarios emphasizes: “I fully understand the adverse effects and especially the psychological fatigue that the evolving ordeal of the pandemic has brought to everyone. However, it is clear that we are going through an extremely critical period, during which the new variant of the virus is, unfortunately, spreading rapidly. This minimizes our room for complacency and necessitates even greater adherence to the rules recommended by experts. For this reason, I urge you all to do your utmost to protect yourself and the people around you, by minimizing the risk of getting infected and catching the disease or transmitting the virus to someone else. I find the necessity to say to you all, as Archbishop and your spiritual father, to urge again those who have not already been vaccinated to do so, trusting the scientific community. Millions of people have been saved, have avoided intensive care and intubation because they have been vaccinated. I repeat, that there are no dogmatic, canonical, and ecclesiastical reasons for someone not to be vaccinated.” 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. |
| Archpriest Alexander Ageikin Reposes in the Lord Photo: Epiphany Cathedral in Elokhovo Archpriest Alexander Ageikin, Rector of the Epiphany Cathedral in Elokhovo, Moscow, died from coronavirus at the age of 48 on Tuesday, reports the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church. “Father Alexander slipped into a coma around midnight and passed away in the morning,” reports Interfax. Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York sent his condolences in the following letter : To His Holiness Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia, To the Friends and Relatives of Protopriest Alexander Ageikin, To the Clergy and Parishioners of Epiphany Cathedral in Elokhovo: Your Holiness, Vladyko! Dear in the Lord Fathers, Brothers and Sisters: CHRIST IS RISEN! I learned of the death of Protopriest Alexander Ageikin with heartfelt pain, for he was a faithful son and servant of the Church of Christ, and I hasten to express the condolences of the hierarchy, clergy and flock of the Russian Church Abroad, as well as my own personally, in the sorrow of Your Holiness, of his wife, children, relatives and friends of Fr Alexander, along with the clergymen, officials and worshipers of Epiphany Cathedral, wishing everyone the all-supporting aid of Christ the Giver of Life! Our fervent prayers, thoughts and empathy are with you all. The Russian Church Abroad will never lose the good memories of the reposed as a dedicated servant before the Altar of the Lord, a person infused with the life of the Church, hospitable, a loving and beloved priest, husband and father. Even long before the formal dialog on reestablishing the fullness of unity between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Fr Alexander, as a cleric of Christ the Savior Cathedral, as well as its late sacristan Hegumen Iosif (Shaposhnikov), always warmly welcomed representatives of the clergy and laity of the Russian diaspora visiting the capital city of Russia and venerating its holy relics. Fr Alexander made several return visits to our dioceses, strengthening the fraternal bonds with members of our Church, who now pray for the repose of his soul and remember his labors, his sorrows, his humility and his prayers. It is worth noting that Fr Alexander, gradually ascending in service to the Church and meekly accepting the responsibilities laid up him by the hierarchy, never changed and never succumbed to vainglory. |
| Illnesses which don’t concern medical science appear on the spiritual plane Angelos Alekopoulos Far from discouraging the faithful from seeking the aid of medical science, the Fathers of the Church actually encourage us to visit specialists for whatever ails us. It is true, however, that Basil the Great rejects excessive respect for the art of medicine and points out the spiritual danger involved in ‘officiously keeping alive’. Let us examine medical science from the point of view of Christian Patristic Ethics. In his work ροι κατ Πλτος (The Greater Rule) Basil the Great a Father and Doctor [i.e. Teacher] of the Church sets out the relationship which we have with medical science, which is the anthropological principle that ‘God made us to be all of a piece’. He believes that the restoration of the health of the body is linked to the cure of the soul [hence ‘curate’]. For our Church, health is a great good, but it’s not an end in itself, since, apart from bodily health, spiritual and psychological health are also of great importance. On the spiritual plane, to use ascetic language, illnesses appear which don’t concern medical science and these are the unnatural passions. According to Professor Vasileios Kalliakmanis: ‘As a science, it is natural for medicine to prioritize objective knowledge, which is of an absolute nature. Whereas in the other natural sciences it seems that the prioritizing of objective knowledge does not impinge on the person, in medicine, which has to address people on a personal level, this prioritization has direct repercussions on the way the person is viewed. This is recognized in the medical community which is why doctors talk of the personal treatment of patients… This outlook is closer to that of the Church which, if necessary, deals with pastoral problems in a more person-centred and individualized way’. According to Basil the Great, medicine was given to us by God after the Fall to help us in our battle for survival and to lessen our tribulations. |
| Statement of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church at the beginning of their regular May session on the current situation on Kosovo and Metohia. From its historical seat, the monastery of the Patriarchate of Pec, which with its faithful people has passed a crucifixion-resurrection path of suffering and renewal, thirty-seven years after a setting fire to a refectory of the Patriarchate of Pec, twenty-one years since the martyr’s death of Hieromonk Stephan, spiritual father of this sacred convent, – the Holy Assembly of Bishops, presided over by His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Irinej, following visitations to our holy shrines – Patriarchate of Pec, monasteries of Decani and Zociste, and after conversations with the competent diocesan Bishop, diocesan clergy, monastics and faithful people in Pec, Prizren and Velika Hoca, issues the flowing statement concerning the current situation on Kosovo and Metohija. The Serbian Orthodox Church, as the guardian of historical, spiritual and cultural identity of our people, is called upon to address the most urgent situation in Kosovo and Metohija at this year’s session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops and to express extraordinary concern of the clergy, monastics and faithful people because of frequent official and unofficial statements regarding the final status of our southern province. The Assembly of Bishops shares their concern because of frequent statements made by powerful countries in the West that openly talk about the independence of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as due to the different speculations about a possible division of the southern Serbian province. In particular, various forms of pressure from Kosovo institutions, disrespect of laws and elementary human rights as well as more and more frequent usurpation of Church and private properties, have particularly contributed to this. Having all this in mind, the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church is going to deal with this matter thoroughly at this year’s session and, thereafter, will issue an official statement. |
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