| Encyclical of Greek Archbishop Stylianos of Australia Concerning Same-Sex Marriage Concerning the impending address of the Federal Parliament concerning same-sex marriage, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia Archbishop Stylianos has issued na encyclical to his Australian flock: To the Reverend Clergy and the honourable Administrative Committees of the Parish-Communities of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Dearly Beloved, Further to our Encyclical of 28th May 2013, in relation to a law which the State proposes to vote upon with regard to Marriage between persons of the same gender, we write to you once again because the Federal Parliament is expected very soon to deal with the redefinition of the concept of Marriage. You might appreciate, then, should such an Act be legalized, what destructive consequences this will have on the institution of Marriage, but also on the institution of the Family more generally. As Orthodox Christians, therefore, we are obliged, once again, to express in the strongest possible terms, our objection to the enactment of such legislation, as this will assail the sacredness of the Sacrament of Marriage and the Family, as has been taught to us through the ages by our holy faith and by the Fathers of the Church. In the first instance, of course, our reaction must be through prayer to God. That is why the period of the August Fast for the Dormition of our Lady, which is about to commence, is the most appropriate time to beseech the Theotokos, of whom we ask, as " a fervent advocate and invincible battlement, fountain of mercy and sheltering retreat for the world, " to protect the People from such an aberration. We are also called upon to protest by gathering signatures, requesting the defeat of the proposed legislation. Our protest may be expressed by signing the relevant petitions or via the online internet page of the Archdiocese (marriage.greekorthodox.org.au). You shall receive detailed instruction from our Reverend Clergy. Hopeful that none of us will show indifference to such an important issue, I thank you for your cooperation in this matter and pray that the abundant blessings of God be upon you all during this blessed period of the Sacred August Fast. Sydney, 17th July 2015 With fervent fatherly prayers Archbishop Stylianos Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia PS—To be read in the Churches at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on the Sundays of 26th July, 2nd August and 9th August. 29 июля 2015 г. Смотри также Комментарии Мы в соцсетях Подпишитесь на нашу рассылку |
| Image of Tsar Nicholas II found beneath portrait of Vladimir Lenin A portrait of Tsar Nicholas II was discovered during the restoration of a full-size painting of the 1917 October Revolution leader Vladimir Lenin. The image was " hidden " for the last 90 years beneath water-soluble paint on the back of the canvas used by Soviet artist Vladislav Izmailovich for Lenin " s portrait. The discovery was made by restorers from the Stieglitz Art and Industry Academy in St. Petersburg, where the portrait has been on loan from the Russian Museum for restoration since 2013. The recovered works of the two artists will be presented at the St. Petersburg Museum of Applied Arts on November 30, 2016. Photo: http://rbth.com/ " The large-scale double-sided portrait, painted by different artists under different political regimes, is a unique phenomenon that has no historical parallels, " the Academy " s press service told RBTH. The history of the " double " portrait began in 1896, when artist Ilya Galkin, who portrayed the royal family many times, created a large-scale (9 " x 6 " ) ceremonial portrait of Tsar Nicholas II. The painting was commissioned in the year of the monarch " s coronation for the assembly hall of the Merchant Society " s Petrovsky Trade and Commercial School. After the 1917 revolution, the trade school building was converted into a regular school, and in 1924, after Lenin " s death, experts speculate that Vladislav Izmailovich covered the portrait of the tsar with several layers of paint and then illustrated the revolutionary leader on the back. Lenin, standing on a pavement against the background of the Admiralty, was hung in the same place in the assembly hall. The painting hung there for nearly a century, until the school " s administration decided to send the portrait, which was damaged during the Soviet era, for restoration. " At the bottom of the canvas, numerous small holes were discovered, presumably marks made with bayonets during the revolution, " the Academy " s press service said. " It is noteworthy that an X-ray examination of the canvas found that the heads of Lenin and the emperor are almost in the same place. " Photo: http://rbth.com/ Photo: http://rbth.com/ Photo: http://rbth.com/ Photo: http://rbth.com/ Photo: http://rbth.com/ Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Смотри также Мы в соцсетях Подпишитесь на нашу рассылку |
| Bulgarian Orthodox Church Patriarch backs initiative against same-sex marriages in EU Bulgarian Orthodox Church Patriarch Neofit has sent a letter of support for an initiative that insists on a uniform definition of marriage and family in the European Union, directed against same-sex marriage. A copy of the letter from Neofit, who chairs the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s governing body the Holy Synod, was posted on the website of Bulgaria’s Society and Values Association. The “Mom, Dad and the Kids” initiative is a “European Citizens’ Initiative” that started from Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Croatia, Sweden, France, Portugal and Germany, against “the increased undue pressure from Brussels in recent years to redefine marriage”. The initiative is a response to a reported statement by European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans in June 2015, that “the Commission should go forward and try to get all member states in the EU to unreservedly accept same-sex marriage as other marriages”. In the letter, Patriarch Neofit says that the Orthodox Church “is the guardian of traditional marriage” and it is good to support the “Mom, Dad and Kids” initiative and the church gives it its blessing and support to protect the right of each EU member state to itself define its policy in the field of marriage and family. According to the initiative’s website, it requires the support of a million EU citizens by December 10, and so far has gathered a third of the required signatures. The initiative, which has been registered with the European Commission, needs to surpass the threshold of million signatures for it to be discussed by the Commission. Those behind the initiative want marriage to be defined in EU regulation as “a union between a man and a woman and family is based on marriage and/or descent. as a union between a man and a woman, and the family”. They say that Article 9 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU gives each EU member state the right alone to determine its policy in the field of marriage and family. Bulgaria’s constitution, approved in 1991, appears to preclude same-sex marriage. Article 46 (1) of the Bulgarian constitution says: “Matrimony shall be a free union between a man and a woman. Only a civil marriage shall be legal”. According to the 2011 census in Bulgaria, about 60 per cent of the population declared themselves to be Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Sofia Globe 21 ноября 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Смотри также Комментарии Мы в соцсетях Подпишитесь на нашу рассылку |
| Tweet Нравится Tbilisi honors memory of 100,000 Georgian martyrs Tbilisi, November 15, 2016 Thousands of believers gathered on Metekhi Bridge in the center of the Georgian capital on the day of commemoration of the 100,000 Georgian martyrs slain by the Khwarezmians in Tbilisi in 1227. A Moleben was served on the bridge, reports Sputnik-Georgia . “Today is a special day. Today is the day of the memory of the 100,000 Georgian martyrs, whose life and actions were exceptional. As we know, they accepted martyrdom under Jalal-ad-Din. May the Lord strengthen and soothe Georgia by their prayers,” stated His Holiness and Beatitude Patriarch Ilia II. In 1227 Georgia was attacked by Khwarezm Sultan Jalal-ad-Din. On the first day of the battle in Tbilisi the Georgian army valiantly warded off the enemy’s attack, but the Persians living in Tbilisi opened the city gates at night, allowing enemy troops to enter. According to the testimony of the chroniclers, they were the “darkest days in Georgian history”—Christians were brutally massacred, babies were killed, women were raped, and mothers were killed with their children. By the order of Jalal-ad-Din, icons of the Savior and Mother of God were carried out of the Sion Cathedral and laid on the middle of the bridge over the Mtkvari River and citizens were driven to the bridge and ordered to walk on them, trampling the sacred objects. Those who turned from Christianity and defiled the holy icons were promised to be kept alive, while the rest were beheaded. 100,000 Georgians, for the sake of the icons, sacrificed their lives. Translated by Jesse Dominick Pravoslavie.ru 16 ноября 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi by the Mongols Commemorated on October 31 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi by the Mongols Commemorated on October 31 One hundred thousand Georgians sacrificed their lives to venerate the holy icons. One hundred thousand severed heads and headless bodies were carried by the bloody current down the Mtkvari River. 1000th anniversary of Nikortsminda church to be celebrated in Georgia 1000th anniversary of Nikortsminda church to be celebrated in Georgia According to Igumen Dionysius Bordzikula of the Nikorstminda Diocese, the millennial jubilee of the church occurred in 2014, but at that time funds were not found to commemorate it in a fitting manner. Holy Royal Martyr Queen Shushanik (†475) Holy Royal Martyr Queen Shushanik (†475) Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze Saint Shushanik was the wife of the Georgian prince Varsken, the ruler of Hereti. Having been raised in a pious Christian family, she was deeply penetrated with love and the fear of God. Комментарии Sunil bedi 17 ноября 2016, 07:00 I l houner the sentiment of tbilisi People . God always be with Georgia " people © 1999-2016 Православие.Ru |
| John Anthony McGuckin Proskomedie (Prothesis) JOHN A. MCGUCKIN The ritual preparatory to the celebration of the divine liturgy, which is substantially the preparation of the prosphora or loaves of offering. Greek usage involves the cutting out, from a single large loaf, of a cube of bread marked on its surface with the cross-shaped ICXC NIKA cipher (“Jesus Christ Conquers”) which has been baked into it. Slavic use generally employs five smaller prosphora, the first being used for the Eucharistic Lamb (Amnos) and the others for various commemorations. The priest who celebrates the Proskomedie (it is always celebrated by one priest alone) will leave some of the final elements unfinished if it is an episcopal service, since the presiding bishop will complete the prayers just before the Great Entrance. After the central cube of bread has been cut out, with attendant prayers, using a ceremonial knife (or lance), other particles of bread are also removed to symbolize the Blessed Theotokos, and the nine orders of saints (including angels, prophets, apostles, hierarchs ascetics, and martyrs), which conclude with the saint who composed the liturgy being celebrated (St. John Chrysostom, Basil, or James). These are laid on either side of the Lamb on the diskos. Particles are then removed to commemorate the ruling bishop, “the emperor” (civil authorities), the founders of the church, and those living and dead whom the priest wishes to remember. Wine is mixed with a little water in the chalice and the ritual concludes with the incensing of the veils that are laid over the sacred vessels in readiness for the Eucharist to begin. The faithful also provide other lists of names, and offerings of prosphora breads, to commemorate their own family lists (diptychs) for the living as well as the dead. The particles are placed into the chalice after communion with an intercessory prayer: “for all those commemorated here.” In earlier times the Proskomedie was celebrated in a separate building (as at Hagia Sophia, Constantinople), but in most Orthodox churches today the northern side of the altar area is used, where a small altar of preparation (prothesis) can be found, usually adorned with iconic symbolism recalling the nativity. SEE ALSO: Amnos; Eucharist; Lance Читать далее Источник: The Encyclopedia of Eastern Orthodox Christianity/John Anthony McGuckin - Maldin : John Wiley; Sons Limited, 2012. - 862 p. Поделиться ссылкой на выделенное |
| Abortion becomes “a European value” Brussels, March 16, 2015 The European Parliament has adopted a resolution which recognizes abortion as a fundamental right and also as a part of reproductive rights despite the fact that this issue remains within the framework of national policy of the EU nations’ governments. The so-called “Tarabela Report” called after the Belgian politician Marc Tarabela, has gone beyond the equality between women and men discussion and has become a tool of the radical change of the status of abortion promoting access to it as a fundamental human right, reports the Rosprav.ru website. On the whole the situation is moving towards intensification of the pro-abortion rhetoric in the EU countries and pressure on the countries that defend the life of their citizens before birth. Section 45 of “the Tarabela Report” reads: “…maintains that women must have control over their sexual and reproductive rights… have access to contraception and abortion…” The resolution was adopted at the session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg by a vote of 441 to 205 with 52 abstaining. The measure was fully supported by Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (the Socialists and Democrats EP Group). Since the establishment of the European Parliament in 1953 the group has existed under various names and until the elections of 1999 it had had the majority of representatives in the Parliament. It is currently the second largest party by membership in EP. The Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe has described the report as “contradictory” as it considers abortion as a fundamental human right and it (the report) also contradicts the Human Rights Charter of the European Union. The first article of the Charter reads, “Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected.” The second article states, “Each person has a right to life.” This Charter is a document that secures several basic rights. The formulation of this document was coordinated at ministerial level and included in the draft constitution for Europe. “The Tarabela Report” has provoked a protest among the Christian community of EU and a campaign with signatures collection against it has been launched . 170,000 people have already signed the petition against the report. On Thursday the European Parliament is likely to adopt another pro-abortion document: “The Panzeri Report”, named after its author, Pier Antonio Panzeri. Article 15 of this document recognizes abortion “as a means of saving of women’s lives.” The EU Bureaucratic term, “access to reproductive health services,” means promotion of abortions, birth control, and corruption of minors. 18 марта 2015 г. Смотри также Комментарии Мы в соцсетях Подпишитесь на нашу рассылку |
| American College Of Pediatricians On Same-Sex Marriage Ruling: ‘A Tragic Day For America " s Children’/Православие.Ru American College Of Pediatricians On Same-Sex Marriage Ruling: ‘A Tragic Day For America " s Children’ In a statement released Friday, the president of the American College of Pediatricians said the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage will have a significantly negative impact on children in the United States. Dr. Michelle Cretella, president of the College, said: [T]his is a tragic day for America’s children. The SCOTUS has just undermined the single greatest pro-child institution in the history of mankind: the natural family. Just as it did in the joint Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton decisions, the SCOTUS has elevated and enshrined the wants of adults over the needs of children. The College, which has members in 44 states and in several countries outside the U.S., joined in an amici brief in Obergefell v. Hodges , the case that has led to the legalization of same-sex marriage in all 50 states of the nation. In the brief, the amici stated what is often the case when sound research is ignored by the left when it fails to support their causes: Despite being certified by almost all major social science scholarly associations—indeed, in part because of this—the alleged scientific consensus that having two parents of the same sex is innocuous for child well-being is almost wholly without basis. All but a handful of the studies cited in support draw on small, non-random samples which cannot be extrapolated to the same-sex population at large. This limitation is repeatedly acknowledged in scientific meetings and journals, but ignored when asserted as settled findings in public or judicial advocacy. The College itself has maintained that a significant body of research has demonstrated that “same-sex marriage deliberately deprives the child of a mother or a father, and is therefore harmful.” 2 июля 2015 г. Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Supreme Court rules that states must allow gay ‘marriage’ Supreme Court rules that states must allow gay ‘marriage’ The Supreme Court has ruled that the U.S. Constitution contains an inalienable right to same-sex “marriage.” Archpastoral Statements on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Concerning Same-Sex Marriages Archpastoral Statements on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Concerning Same-Sex Marriages While this ruling marks a significant change in the way that homosexuality is regarded according to the civil statutes, it in no way affects the teaching and practice of the Orthodox Christian Church either in this country or anywhere else in the world. USA will do its best to spread gay-marriages all over the world USA will do its best to spread gay-marriages all over the world Following the Supreme Court " s decision to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states, the government will now endeavor to force such decisions on the rest of the world. Комментарии © 1999-2015 Православие.Ru |
| Ancient Georgian monastery to be restored in Turkey Altiparmak, Turkey, September 18, 2017 Photo: static.panoramio.com A tenth century Georgian Orthodox monastery of historic importance found in the northeastern Turkish village of Altiparmak is set to be restored by a group of both Georgian and Turkish experts. The team from the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia and the State Academy of Arts began its work on Parkhali Monastery on Saturday, reports agenda.ge . The monastery was built by Georgian Orthodox Church figure Gregory of Khandzta under the reign of Georgia’s King Davit III Kuropalates sometime before 973. The monastery is known as the place where The Martyrdom of the Holy Royal Martyr Queen Shushanik (†475) Saint Shushanik was the wife of the Georgian prince Varsken, the ruler of Hereti. Having been raised in a pious Christian family, she was deeply penetrated with love and the fear of God. " > Holy Queen Shushanik —one of the oldest Georgian hagiographies—was copied and preserved. St. Shushanik was the wife of the Georgian prince Varsken, the ruler of Hereti. Having been raised in a pious Christian family, she was deeply penetrated with love and the fear of God. She spent six years in captivity at the hands of her husband who had abandoned the true faith for worldly gain. While she was serving her sentence, she helped the poor that came to her. Through her prayers the sick were healed and children were born to the childless. She reposed in 475. The agreement of cooperation between the two sides was reached during a visit of the Georgian Minister of Culture and Monument Protection Mikhail Giorgadze in Turkey last week. The monastery restoration will include a study of the technical methods used for works on the monument by local professionals. The cooperation between Georgian and Turkish experts follows a high-profile agreement signed between the two countries earlier this year, involving cooperation on restoring and safeguarding monuments of the Ottoman Empire on Georgian territory, and Georgian historical sites found in today " s Turkey. Northeast Turkey is home to a number of magnificent Turkey " s Forgotten Georgian Kingdom Ongoing governmental disputes have left the fate of these medieval architectural wonders in limbo. " > Georgian monasteries from the medieval principality of Tao-Klarjeti, a former feudal state ruled by the Bagrationi royal family. Tao-Klarjeti was once a part of the United Kingdom of Georgia that thrived during the 12th and 13th Centuries. 18 сентября 2017 г. скрыть способы оплаты скрыть способы оплаты Смотри также Комментарии Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Мы в соцсетях Подпишитесь на нашу рассылку |
| Archive Prayers for consolidation of peace are offered in the Patriarchate of Antioch 3 March 2022 year 14:19 Members of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Antioch pray and hope that “the spiritual and historical ties between the Russian and Ukrainian peoples, which have emerged from the same baptismal font, would contribute to resolving the conflict, achieving of reconciliation, and consolidating of peace”, reads the communiqué on the results of the Synod session held in Balamand, Lebanon, on March 2, 2022. The Antiochian hierarchs also prayed to the Lord for inspiring the authorities to adopt the language of dialogue to spare human casualties and destruction. They expressed their sympathy to the shepherds and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy “during this difficult time for the Ukrainian people.” The Holy Synod again called for immediate release of the abducted in April 2013 leaders of Christian communities of Aleppo – Metropolitan Paul of Aleppo and Alexandretta, the Antiochian Orthodox Church, and Metropolitan Youhanna Ibrahim of Aleppo, the Syrian Church of the East. Sympathy and support to His Beatitude Patriarch John X and Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas was expressed back then by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia who called upon the leaders of different countries and international organizations to do anything possible for release of the abducted Christian leaders of Aleppo. Utmost concern for the destiny of the Christian hierarchs kidnapped in Syria was expressed by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the deputies of the Russian State Duma. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Francis voiced their request for making every effort to ensure the hierarchs’ prompt liberation in the Joint Declaration issued at their meeting in Havana in 2016. The Synod of the Orthodox Church of Antioch denounced the international silence over this issue lasting many years. The participants in the session reflected upon the recent developments in the Orthodox Church and the crisis that threatens Orthodox unity. They stressed the necessity to take decisions by consensus in the family of Local Churches. “Consensus and unanimity guarantee the unity of the Orthodox Church,” the Synod stated. Consideration has been given to a number of other topics. DECR Communication Service /Patriarchia.ru Календарь ← 7 April 2024 year |
| Euthanasia analyzed at program in Moscow Moscow, May 20, 2011 Participating in discussions on this burning issue were representatives of the health department of the Russian Federation, doctors, lawyers, and health organizations. Representing the Moscow Patriarchate was Deacon Roman Bogdasarov, reports the website of the department of Church and society interrelations of the Moscow Patriarchate. In his presentation, Fr. Roman stated that “Euthanasia is based upon two key principles—betrayal and deceit… Instead of discussing and resolving how to give terminally ill patients the possibility of treatment with financial help from the government and international funds, the responsible government officials introduce a slackening in the sphere of legalization of euthanasia. Instead of offering them a struggle for life and health in any way possible, they propose it only be done within the limitations of the family budget, remembering the lovely solution: ‘No person, no problem’ [Stalin’s well-know motto —PR/OC]. Instead of developing centers for psychological and material support for the family of terminally or seriously ill patients, a ‘doctor death’ appears, and deceitfully pushes these people into betraying the most helpless member of the family.” “A society that legalizes euthanasia is signing its own death sentence, because it is pushing out of its own heart the “centers of compassion and mercy,” which the seriously ill could become for the family and for all society. Without these centers, human existence is impossible in principle. Throw out the elderly from the megalopolis and reservations, kill the pathology together with the infant, give an injection to an invalid—could it really be that someone will breathe easier from all that? “Probably the most terrible thing that could happen on Earth is an epoch of absolutely healthy and happy people—a time when the sick, the displeased, the suffering, or simply the doubting, will no longer exist on in the world. Then there will be no need to have patience and gratitude, to help anyone, support anyone, co-suffer with them, and give ourselves. But in such an epoch, people will neither have any one close to them. Remember what the Gospel parable said about the good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25–37): The Lord clearly shows we should not be seeking someone to be our good neighbor, but to be a good neighbor ourselves to others. “The idea of prosperity for all on the Earth is incompatible with such a principle—after all, it is just not effective. You can’t save up enough medicine, money and resources for every sick person there is. But the mechanism of euthanasia—that is a super-effective method…” said Deacon Roman Bogdasarov. 20 мая 2011 г. ... Комментарии Мы в соцсетях Подпишитесь на нашу рассылку |
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