Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew thanked the Turkish government

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew thanked the Turkish government yesterday for granting permission for religious services to be held at the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre this year. Reviewing the year 2007 at a New Year's reception after a religious service at the Fener Greek Patriarchate, Patriarch Bartholomew listed the Ministry of Culture's permission for religious services to be held at the Church of St. Nicholas among the important events of the year for Orthodox Christians.

Jubilee of Georgia’s Patriarch Ilia II

Yesterday His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, Ilia II, celebrated his 30th jubilee of enthronement as Patriarch of Georgia. The solemn celebration took place at the Patriarchate Court in Tbilisi. On this occasion, numerous worshippers coming from all parts of Georgia visited the Patriarch and congratulated him for the jubilee, which is important not only for him personally, but for the entire Church of Georgia, as well.

Cooperation Agreed Between the Serbian Orthodox Church and Yad Vashem

The Serbian Orthodox Church’s delegation headed by Metropolitan Amfilohije started off the third day of its visit to Jerusalem by serving a joint Holy Liturgy with the Metropolitan of Tabor, Metodije, and the brotherhood of Jerusalem on Golgotha, where Christ was crucified. As Metropolitan Amfilohije pointed out, this was the best place for commemorating all victims of war, past and present, the place where the Lamb collected and elevated to Resurrection through the Cross all innocent victims.

Orthodoxy in China

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church took a decision at its winter session on Thursday to open a department of the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church (ROAC).

The Synod decision stresses the need to continue the efforts taken by the Department for External Church Relations in the dialogue with the Chinese, to normalize the situation of the Orthodox Church in China.

Visit to the Mother of Churches in the Holy City of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Dec. 25, 2007 - Today, His Beatitude Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem Theophylos III received members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church Most Rev. Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Coastlands, Amfilohije, and Rt. Rev. Hrisostom, Bishop of Zica, who are visiting the Patriarchate of Jerusalem together with protosyngellos Jovan and priest Gajo Gajic. They gave the best respects and blessing by His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch and our Church's Holy Synod of Bishops to the Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, who was finally recognized by the Israeli government and the Supreme Court of Israel. Yesterday at noon, the Patriarch of Jerusalem received the official Grammata of the Government of the State of Israel. Thus, the formal part of His Beatitude's recognition was concluded, as well, considering the fact that, once elected, the remaining countries in the region proceeded with His recognition immediately.

Charitable Kosovo Relief Fund Founded

The New Gracanica Monastery is collecting donations for Serbian children of Kosovo. A separate charitable fund named "Kosovo Relief Fund" has been established for that purpose. The aim is to collect as much money as possible in America and Canada from people of good will for needy Serbian kids of Kosovo. The target date to finish this project is St. Sava's Day (January 27, 2008) so that help can still be distributed to Serbian kids in Kosovo during this winter. The New Gracanica Monastery will distribute all collected money to families of the neediest kids through the Diocese of Raska and Prizren. Reports on collecting of donations and how the funds are sent and distributed will be posted at www.newgracanica.com . Names of all donors will be published in this site, except names of those people who choose to remain anonymous. All donors from the United States will receive tax receipts.

International Conference on the Restitution of Property to the Church and Religious Communities in Serbia

On the 21st of December, 2007, an International Conference on the Restitution of Property to the Church and Religious Communities was held in AP Vojvodina's Parliament in Novi Sad. The Serbian Orthodox Church was represented by Rt. Rev. Vasilije, Bishop of Srem, Rt. Rev.Irinej, Bishop of Backa, as well as the Legal Advisor of the Patriarchy's Administration Office, Mr. Milan Andric.