Christian world

ISIS removes Cross from church in Mosul

ISIS removed the cross on top of the dome of St. Ephrem Cathedral in the Shoorta neighborhood in Mosul, one week after the church was seized by ISIS members on July 1.

Hundreds of Egyptian women and girls kidnapped, forced into Islam, claims report

Fifteen-year-old Amira Hafez Wahim slipped out of the Christian church in Luxor, Egypt, where she had attended services with her mother in February, promising to dash to a nearby store and return quickly.

Five months later, she has not been seen since, although her parents immediately suspected a 28-year-old Muslim man named Yasser Mahmoud, who had tried to kidnap her before, had succeeded this time.  When her father went to the Civil Status Authority for a copy of her birth certificate, his fears were confirmed: Her name had been changed and she was now listed as Muslim.

Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome to make its Loggia, Crypt and Treasury accessible to Visitors

The papal Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome has changed its visit schedule. From Saturday, June 21, and on five following Saturdays the church doors will be open in the evenings in order to provide a special access to its loggia, crypt and treasury, reports Sedmitza.ru, citing Vatican Radio.

A tour which lasts an hour and a half must be pre-booked. For 18 Euros you can admire the loggia’s mosaic décor, which has survived since the 13th century, see the statue of an angel by the Italian sculptor Pietro Bracci (the 18th century), the papal hall (early 17th century), the baroque stairs by the Italian sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The tour continues in the crypt below the church and goes through the basilica’s Sistine Chapel, where the crypt of the sculptor and architect Arnolfo di Campio is located. 

Greeks Recognized as the Most Religious People in the European Union

A pan-European survey conducted by the Department of Social Research in nineteen European Union countries recognized Greeks to be the most religious people in the EU.

The results of the survey were published in a Guide to Mount Athos with reference to the newspaper «ΕλεύθεροςΤύπος».

Historic Meeting of Patriarchs of Alexandria and Archbishop of Finland in Helsinki

 The Finnish Orthodox Church celebrates the historic meeting of three Hierarchs from the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox family. Pope & Patriarch Tawadros II of Alexandria All Africa – Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope & Patriarch Theodros II of Alexandria and All Africa – Primate of the Alexandrian Patriarchate and Archbishop Leo of Karelia and All Finland who is the Primate of the Finnish Orthodox Church met in the capital city of Finland on 23rd June 2014.