News

Plans Suspended for Russian Cathedral in Paris

According to reports, François Hollande is under growing pressure to approve plans for a Russian Orthodox cathedral and cultural centre near the Eiffel Tower or risk straining diplomatic relations with Moscow. The plan to build the whitewashed cathedral, complete with five golden domes reaching up to 85.6 feet (26 metres) high, was meant to “promote Russian civilisation”, and comes “directly” from President Vladimir Putin. However, the design caused controversy in Paris, earning some strong criticism from President Hollande’s ally and mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, who described it as “an ostentation” of “pastiche architecture” and “mediocre”.

Prime Minister Ivica Dacic visits Serbian church in Ljubljana

On the feast day of Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, on 14 November 2012, during the official visit to Slovenia, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic visited in the evening the church of Sts. Cyrill and Methodius in Ljubljana and talked with local priests. He was interested for the needs of the Serbian Orthodox Church and promised the help in completing the important projects of the Church-school congregation of Ljubljana. 

New Archbishop of Centerbury - Justin Welby

Justin Welby was born on 6 January 1956 in London. Welby was educated at St Peter's School, Seaford and Eton College and subsequently went to Trinity College, Cambridge where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Law in 1978 (proceeding MA 1990).In 1989, he studied for ordination at St John's College, Durham. After several parochial appointments he became the Dean of Liverpool and was appointed as the Bishop of Durham in 2011.

St. Vladimir’s Seminary Pres’s Children’s Book Receives Gold Medal

St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (SVS Press)— the publishing arm of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY—has garnered a gold medal for its storybook, Saint George & the Dragon, written by Jim Forest and illustrated in iconographic style by Vladislav Andrejev. SVS Press & Bookstore Marketing Manager Dn. Gregory Hatrak was recently notified that the children’s book had received a 2012 Moonbeam Spirit Award.

Russia helps reconstruct Orthodox monasteries in Kosovo

Russia is helping reconstruct orthodox monasteries in Kosovo, ITAR-TASS reported.

Currently four orthodox monasteries in Kosovo are being restored. Moscow has allocated USD 2 million for the projects.