| Archive Blessing of the cross installed at construction site of a church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God in Puerto-Rican San German 18 August 2021 year 14:31 In the evening of August 6, 2021, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, vicar of the diocese of Eastern America of the Russian Church Outside of Russia, arrived on the Island of Puerto-Rico. The hierarch was met by Archpriest Gregory Justiniano, rector of the Mission of St. John Climacus in San German. His Eminence Nicholas brought to the island the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God. He was accompanied by Archpriest Peter Jackson, head of the Spanish-speaking mission, and Protodeacon Sergiy Arliyevsky, a cleric of the Convent of the Dormition “Novo-Diveevo”, Nanuet, New York. On August 8, Bishop Nicholas celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the mission’s Chapel of St. John Climacus. Archpriest Gregory Justiniano, Archpriest Peter Jackson, Protodeacon Sergiy and Deacon Seraphim Justiniano concelebrated. Among the worshippers was Archpriest George Eldar, who serves in Puerto-Rico, The liturgical hymns were sung by the parish choir conducted by Hierodeacon Daniel (Justiniano), a cleric of the mission. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Spanish, English and Church Slavonic. After the service, a procession with the cross proceeded to the construction site of the church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God. Bishop Nicholas blessed the foundation cross made by parishioners. Then a festive reception was given in the territory of the parish with traditional dishes of Puerto-Rican cuisine. The engineer and the architect employed by the parish presented various stages of the design of the future church. Archpriest Gregory Justiniano spoke about the history of the mission and plans for the future, noting in particular, ‘The first Divine Liturgy celebrated in San German, Puerto-Rico, took place on Sunday, August 9, 2009. The Orthodox Mission of John Climacus plans to carry out its missionary service not only in a particular city but, with God’s help, on the whole island’. |
| Through the Pages of the Theological Works of Archimandrite Justin (Popovi) Today the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Justin of elije, who was glorified in 2010. (Although he reposed on the Feast of the Annunciation, he is commemorated on the feast day of his patron saint, St. Justin the Philosopher.) In his honor we offer the following study of his life and works, originally published in Russian in 1984. The name of Archimandrite Justin (Popovi +1979), doctor of theology, is held in great renown in the Local Orthodox Churches. Archimandrite Justin was born on April 7, 1894, on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, in the ancient Serbian city of Vranje to the pious family of a priest, which had given the Serbian Church seven generations of clergy. In Baptism he was given the name Blagoje, in honor of the Feast of the Annunciation. From 1905 to 1914, Blagoje Popovi studied at the Seminary of St. Sava of Serbia in Belgrade. During his years of study, the young Blagoje was especially interested in questions of contemporary literature and philosophy. He paid the greatest attention to the works of Dostoevsky, about whom he later wrote two studies: The Philosophy and Religion of F. M. Dostoevsky and Dostoevsky on Europe and Slavism. The works of the Holy Fathers had a decisive influence on the formation of Archimandrite Justin’s spiritual character. The Holy Fathers were, and remained to the end of his life, his irreplaceable teachers and instructors. He was wholly guided by their teachings. Archimandrite Justin especially loved St. John Chrysostom, to whom he prayed ceaselessly with childlike sincerity: “I feel St. John Chrysostom’s particular, merciful closeness towards me, a sinner,” he wrote, “My soul ascends to him in prayer: enlighten me by thy prayers… grant me to struggle with your struggle…” In 1916, Blagoje Popovi accepted monastic tonsure with the name Justin, in honor of Hieromartyr Justin the Philosopher (+166; celebrated on June 1). Indeed, like him, Archimandrite Justin was a genuine philosopher who internalized the truth of Christianity. He placed humble-mindedness at the foundation of his theology, following the example of St. John Chrysostom, who is known for these remarkable words: “The foundation of our Christian philosophy is humble-mindedness, for without it truth is blind.” This is why Fr. Justin, in his contemplation of God, does not speak about Christ as an ordinary person (or an “historical personage”), but rather as the God-Man, the Savior of the world. Fr. Justin felt that the only authentic theologizing of Christ in the Holy Spirit is the contemplation of God in which mind and heart (thought and feeling) are united in prayer, passing into contemplation and Divine vision. He often said: “Any of my thoughts that arises without being converted into prayer is oppressive.” |
| Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan Consecrates a Cross on the Site of the Future Church of the Annunciation in Puerto Rico Source: Eastern American Diocese Pravmir.com team 17 August 2021 Photo: eadiocese.org From August 6-8, a number of historic events took place on the island of Puerto Rico for the future of Holy Orthodoxy – the arrival of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God and the blessing of the cross & land of the future Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan arrived on the evening of August 6, greeted by the rector of San Juan Clímaco Mission in San Germán, Archpriest Gregorio Justiniano. On Saturday, August 7, Bishop Nicholas and those traveling with him: Archpriest Peter Jackson (dean of the Spanish Language Missions) and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent “Novo-Diveevo” in Nanuet, NY), were greeted by the peal of bells, and the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora was placed in the church. The clergy were then given a tour of the parish complex. In the evening, the Communion Rule, Great Vespers, and an Akathist to the Kursk Root Icon were served. On Sunday morning, Bishop Nicholas was greeted at the main doors of the church with the traditional bread and salt. After the reading of the Hours, His Grace celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by Fr. Gregorio, Fr. Peter, Fr. Serge, and parish Deacon Seraphim Justiniano. Praying in the church was Archpriest George Eldahr (rector of St. George Antiochian Church in Carolina, PR). Leading the parish choir was Hierodeacon Daniel (Justiniano; mission cleric). Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Spanish, English, and Church Slavonic. The church was filled with parishioners, pilgrims, and guests, many of whom received Christ’s Holy Mysteries. Upon conclusion of Liturgy, Bishop Nicholas addressed the faithful with a sermon, in which he reminded those gathered to always be thankful for the many blessings that God bestows on us daily, as well as the blessing of having the Most Holy Theotokos present on the island for the divine services. |
| Orthodox and Anglican leaders from around the world meet in Buffalo Source: The Buffalo News Natalya Mihailova 19 September 2015 Nearly 30 religious leaders from around the world are in Buffalo for an annual meeting to discuss ecumenical relations between the Orthodox Church and the Anglican Church. Photo: Photos: KT Bruce It marks the first time the International Commission for the Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue is being held in the United States. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Buffalo at 146 West Utica St. is hosting the weeklong event, which begin Saturday and runs through Friday. The dialogue includes delegates from 14 Orthodox churches and 14 Anglican churches or organizations in Canada, England, Australia, Cyprus, Zimbabwe, Russia, Serbia, Romania, Greece, Scotland, Ireland, Philippines and Sri Lanka. The Orthodox Church has about 250 million followers worldwide, while the Anglican Church Communion has about 77 million members. The Rev. Metropolitan Diokleia Kallistos Ware, an Orthodox bishop in England, is chairman of the dialogue, while the Rev. Christos B. Christakis, parish priest at Annunciation, serves as secretary, a post he’s held since 1994. “It’s a great honor to have world leaders meet in Buffalo,” Christakis said. “More importantly, the relationship building is paramount to reinforcing similar goals within Christianity.” The dialogue takes place each year, alternating between an Anglican and an Orthodox location. It was held in 2014 at St. George’s Anglican Cathedral in Jerusalem. The dialogue between the two traditions first began in 1973. The International Commission was created in 1989, and previous discussions have explored the question of who may be ordained and doctrine related to the Trinity. Ware wrote “The Orthodox Church,” one of the world’s best-selling English language books about Eastern Orthodoxy. He is presenting a series of lectures that are free and open to the public, including at 9 a.m. Saturday in Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church; at 5 p.m. Friday in the Millard Fillmore Academic Complex, Room 320 on the University at Buffalo North Campus; and at 10 a.m. Sept. 26 in Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. |
| Tweet Нравится Triple feast at Poland’s Supral Monastery Moscow, February 13, 2017 Photo: http://www.orthodox.pl/ There were sevearl causes for celebration at the Annunciation Monastery in Supral in northeastern Poland on Sunday. First, as in all churches celebrating on the Old Calendar, the Three Holy Hierarchs—Sts. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, three of the Church’s greatest saints and theologians—were celebrated, along with the consecration of the renovated Church of St. John the Theologian, and the name’s day of the monastery’s hierarch Bishop Gregory of Supral. Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland performed the consecration of the St. John the Theologian church before serving the Divine Liturgy at the monastery. The church was initially built in 1501 and was rebuilt in 1888. The monastery was taken over by the state in 1919, reestablished in 1984, and returned to the Church in 1993, and reconstruction has been underway since then. The site of the Polish Orthodox Church reports that the metropolitan was assisted in consecrating the temple by Archbishop James of Biaostocko–Gdaska, Bishop Gregory Supral, and Bishop Jerzy of the Ordinariate of the Polish Army, as well as a number of priests and deacons. In accordance with Church Tradition, a relic of St. Gabriel Zabudowskiego, martyred at the age of six in 1690 in Poland, was placed in the altar. After the Divine Liturgy a festive Moleben was also served to the Holy Hierarchs celebrated that day. His Eminence spoke of the hard times of the rebuilding of Supral Monastery, expressing hope that the day’s festivities would become a “prelude” to the next, namely the consecration of the monastery’s Annunciation Cathedral, where frescoes are currently being restored. Metropolitan Sawa thanked all involved in the repairs to the temple and the day’s festivities, followed by a reflection on the day’s Prodigal Son Gospel reading, calling all who have left the Church to return to their Mother, because “the Orthodox Church is the path to life and salvation.” He recalled that the Orthodox Church survived in Poland only through the faith and sacrifice of their fathers, and thus the faithful are responsible for that which they received from their ancestors. |
| Two communities in Chicago count their blessings every year and share them with those in need. Like most American urban centers, being in a good neighborhood actually means that right around the corner from you there might be someone in need. This is the case with the Annunciation Cathedral and St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Despite being in the posh Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, respectively, numerous low income areas are only blocks away from the two churches. An annual tradition, the two communities come together on a day intended to be spent with family, to give selflessly of their time and cooking talents. Cooking takes place all week and on Thanksgiving Day, the community center of the Annunciation Cathedral is opened to the public, with an open invitation to the city’s poor, homeless and lonely. Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres of St. George sees the ministry as vital to the teachings of Christ and his own calling as a priest. “We cook and feed and serve, with no questions asked,” Fr. Chris told the Pappas Post. “Everyone of these people has a story and every one of these people deserves the same comfort and compassion that we all deserve.” This year, the food line was staffed by young and old members of St. George and Annunciation, including a surprise visitor who served mashed potatoes to all who passed through the foo line, the 88-year-old Metropolitan Iakovos, head of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago. Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos also pointed out that this ministry of feeding and clothing the poor extends beyond the Thanksgiving holiday. It takes place throughout the year the second and fourth Tuesday of every month when various chapters of the churches’ ladies auxiliary, the Philoptochos Society, visit the Cathedral and feed and cloth the needy. “Our calling as Greek Orthodox Christians isn’t a one-day affair, but a year-round effort to assist the less fortunate,” the Bishop said, while praising the efforts of the two communities who serve as models for other communities in the region. |
| Archive Пн Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in Syria: I hope for the resumption of pilgrimages from Russia 27 September 2023 year 11:48 The first Russian church in Lebanon will soon open its doors to the faithful after the completion of restoration. Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ to the Patriarch of Antioch, spoke in an interview with RIA Novosti about the life of the Russian community, the shrines of Syria and Lebanon and the prospects for restoring pilgrimage trips fr om Russia to these ancient countries. - Very Reverend Father, according to the media, you recently discussed the restoration of the Church of the Annunciation in Lebanon at a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Rudakov. Please tell us about that church. - The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the town of Jal El Dib is located in the Christian suburb of Beirut - it is the first ever church of the Russian community in Lebanon. Several years ago, it was given to the Russian Orthodox Church by the Metropolis of the Mount Lebanon (Antiochian Patriarchate). Legally it remained in the ownership of the Metropolis, but we are free to build our liturgical and community life in it. Now the reconstruction of the church has been completed. Meetings with the Russian ambassadors to the Syrian Arab Republic and the Lebanese Republic are regular. I can note with confidence that relations between the Embassies and the Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church are characterised by openness, mutual understanding, trust and a common desire to work together to resolve the issues facing us today. - How are things now with pilgrimage and tourism by Russians to Syria and Lebanon? What problems are there in this sphere, and how are they being solved? - It is difficult to answer that question unequivocally. Syria and Lebanon are an integral part of the Holy Land. Events of Biblical history are connected with these countries. In this sense, pilgrimage and tourist routes here will always be of interest to the widest range of people. Another issue is that today, in the broader public consciousness, these countries are not safe for mass travelling. It is absolutely certain that when planning a visit to holy places and world-famous cultural heritage sites in both Syria and Lebanon, security issues must be taken into account. This is particularly true now for visits to holy sites in Syria. |
| Nazareth’s dwindling Christian populace torn between moving out, fighting back. This month’s local elections underline the bleak and bitter rivalries in the city of Jesus’s childhood SOURCE: The Times of Israel By Elhanan Miller A billboard in downtown Nazareth features election posters with the city " s mayoral candidates, October 10, 2013. Photo: Elhanan Miller/Times of Israel “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” wondered Nathaneal, a disciple of Jesus, in the Gospel of John. Asked today, that question would have many of the city’s residents hard-pressed for an answer. The upcoming municipal elections, scheduled for October 22, find the largest Arab city in Israel impoverished and depressed. A nationwide study, conducted by the Ministry of Public Security in August, revealed that Nazareth residents are the most likely Israelis to fear falling victim to crime. They also reported the lowest sense of personal security, along with the inhabitants of the crime-ridden cities of Ramle and Lod. “Things have deteriorated in this city,” said an elderly woman walking down Nazareth’s main street on Thursday, wearing a necklace with a large golden Cross. “No citizen gets any help — not from the municipality, nor from the government, nor from the police.” Like its Christian twin. Bethlehem, in the West Bank, Nazareth’s demographic makeup has dramatically changed over the past six decades, a fact some residents tie to the deteriorating sense of security and general “low quality of life.” From being a city with a large Christian majority before 1948, today 70 percent of Nazareth’s 80,000 residents are Muslim. The change dates back to Israel’s War of Independence, when an influx of internally displaced villagers from the surrounding area relocated to Nazareth. Researchers also point to a significantly higher Muslim birth rate. Muslim women pass by the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, March 2011. Photo: Natti Shohat/Flash90 Religious tension in the city came to the fore in the early 2000s, when the local Muslims began constructing a new mosque near the Basilica of the Annunciation, the city’s towering Christian landmark. In early 2002, the government decided to halt construction on the site, built over the grave of Salladin’s nephew Shihab a-Din, following massive pressure from the Vatican. The Muslims were infuriated by the move, but put up little resistance when an illegal structure they had built on the site was bulldozed the following year. |
| The first community of the Russian Orthodox Church emerges in Andorra admin 06 February 2013 On January 27, 2013, the rector of the Russian Church of the Annunciation in Barcelona, Father Seraphim (Pavlov), celebrated the Orthodox Divine Liturgy at the Catholic Church of St. Julia in San-Julia de Loria in the Principality of Andorra. The next Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the new community on February 24, the website of the Church of the Annunciation in Barcelona reports. Source: DECR Communication Service Tweet Donate Share Code for blog The first community of the Russian Orthodox Church emerges in Andorra admin On January 27, 2013, the rector of the Russian Church of the Annunciation in Barcelona, Father Seraphim (Pavlov), celebrated the Orthodox Divine Liturgy at the Catholic Church of St. Julia in San-Julia de Loria in the Principality of Andorra. The next Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the ... 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. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? A cup of coffee? It is not that much for a family budget, but it is a significant amount for Pravmir. If everyone reading Pravmir could donate 5 euros a month, they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, Orthodoxy, life " s purpose, family and society. Donate Related articles Davenport, IL Priest Moves Fast to… Fr. John A. Peck After 15 years as an Anglican priest, including six years as the rector of Trinity Church… |
| Archive His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrates moleben in Donskoy Monastery at the shrine with St. Tikhon’s relics 7 April 2024 year 17:38 On 7th April 2024, 3rd Sunday of Lent, of the Veneration of the Cross, Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, commemoration of the demise of Saint Tikhon the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1925), after celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Holy Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ visited the Donskoy Stavropegic Monastery in Moscow, which is home to the relics of the Holy Patriarch Tikhon. In the Great Cathedral of the Donskoy Monastery, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated a moleben. Concelebrating with His Holiness were Metropolitan Grigory of Voskresensk, chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, Patriarchal first vicar for the city of Moscow; Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Metropolitan Nikandr of Naro-Fominsk, chairman of the Financial and Economic Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate; Metropolitan Feognost of Kashira, chairman of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism, abbot of the Donskoy Monastery; Archbishop Foma of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk, head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate, rector of the Holy Theophany Cathedral in Yelokhovo in Moscow; Archbishop Savva of Zelenograd, deputy chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate; Bishop Alexy of Ramenskoye, private secretary to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill; Protopresbyter Vladimir Divakov, secretary of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ for the city of Moscow; Priest Vasily Losev, head of the Legal Service of the Moscow Metropolia; and ordained coenobites of the Donskoy Monastery. Among those in attendance were Mr Sergei Rudov, deputy head of the World Russian People’s Council; Mr Boris Listov, chairman of the Board of JSC “Rosselkhozbank”; and soldiers of the 1st Semyonovsky Independent Rifle Regiment. |
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