Orthodox Churches

Russian Church suspends commemoration of Pat. Bartholomew and concelebration with Constantinople hierarchs

As a result of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s appointment of two exarch bishops in Ukraine without any blessing from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church resolved at its extraordinary session today that His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will cease commemorating His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople during the Divine Liturgy.

Nikolai-do Church in Tokyo to be adorned with 11 new bells 95 years after earthquake

For the first time since 1928, new bells are being installed at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Tokyo.

110,000 process in honor of St. Alexander Nevsky in St. Petersburg

The holy Orthodox Church celebrated the translation of the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky the Grand Prince of Novgorod yesterday. His relics, housed at the Holy Trinity-St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, are among the greatest sacred treasures of the Russian Church in St. Petersburg.

Construction on Ascension Church begins in southern Spain

The Orthodox faithful in Estepona, Spain will soon have a place to offer their prayers and sacrifice to God.

The courage of Zakynthos: 75 years later

Today, Sept. 10, marks the 75th anniversary of one of history’s greatest examples of community resistance in the face of evil: the courage of Zakynthos.

If this is the first you are hearing of the anniversary, do not feel unaware. If this is the first you have ever heard of the island of Zakynthos, do not think yourself uneducated.

Outside of Greece, too few today can recall the courageous actions taken by this simple fishing island community during World War II. This community did not witness an historic battle. Rather, this Greek Orthodox community gathered together in civil disobedience to save 275 Greek Jews who would have been sent to Auschwitz.

Romania Parliament votes in favour of man/woman marriage only

Romanian Senators on Tuesday approved a measure that would pave the way for the constitution to be changed to explicitly state that marriage is a union of a man and a woman.

Senators voted 107-13 with seven abstentions to allow a referendum that could change the constitution, which currently states that marriage is a union between “spouses.”

The vote comes after Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies last year overwhelmingly approved the same measure.

Elder Amphilochios (Makris) canonized by Ecumenical Patriarchate

The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate resolved to canonize Elder Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos at its session today, reports vimaorthodoxia.

Elder Amphilochios was a monk of the St. John the Theologian Monastery on the island of Patmos, where St. John the Evangelist received the Divine revelation that became the book of Revelation. The elder also served as the abbot of the monastery. He also established women’s monasteries and an orphanage.