Orthodox Churches

Primates of Russian and Polish Orthodox Churches celebrate Divine Liturgy on Mount Grabarka on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

On 19 August 2012, on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Convent of Ss Martha and Mary on Holy Mount Grabarka.

Patriarch Kirill begins his visit to Poland

On August 16, 2012, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia arrived in Poland at the invitation of the Primate of the Polish Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Sava.

The official delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church who accompany His Holiness includes Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations; Bishop Sergiy of Solnechnogorsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s administrative secretariat, Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR vice-chairman; Hegumen Philaret (Bulekov), DECR vice-chairman; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, DECR secretary for inter-Orthodox relations; V. Legoida, head of the synodal information department; Protodeacon Vladimir Nazarkin, assistant to the DECR chairman; and M. Kuksov, acting head of the patriarchal personal secretariat.

Communiqué on the resurgence of Violence spreading throughout the World

The Ecumenical Patriarchate expresses profound concern about the resurgence of violence currently spreading throughout the world. From America to Africa and throughout Europe and Asia, continents are confronted with the phenomenon of intolerance that not only undermines world stability and peace, but also constitutes a denial of human dignity. Racial murders, genocide, ethnic cleansing, anti-semitism, destruction of places of worship etc, constitute barbaric acts that must be denounced publicly, particularly when they are masked with the veil of religion in an effort to justify them.

Hierarchal service is celebrated in Hamburg in honour of “Smolemsk” Icon of the Mother of God

On 10 August 2012, the feast day of the Smolensk “Hodegetria” Icon of the Mother of God, Archbishop Feofan of Berlin and Germany celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Russian Church of St John of Kronstadt in Hamburg.

Concelebrating with Archbishop Feofan were clerics of the Berlin and Germany diocese and clergymen from the Serbian, Romanian and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches.

During the service, deacon Ioakim Lindberg from the community of Ss Cyril and Methodius in Hamburg was ordained priest by Archbishop Feofan, website of the Church of St John of Kronstadt reports. Rev. Ioakim’s father, late Rev. Konstantin Lindberg, was the one who established the German language parish in Hamburg.
During the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Feofan handed over the patriarchal awards to the clerics of the Berlin and Germany diocese.

Source: mospat.ru

Celebrations marking 20th anniversary of the Kharkov Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Metropolitan Vladimir’s ministry at the chair of Kiev

On the eve of the commemoration day of St. Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles, July 27, representatives of Local Orthodox Churches assembled at a grand dinner to extend congratulations to His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Council of Kharkov and his primatial ministry.

Metropolitan Emmanuel of France greeted Metropolitan Vladimir on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and read out his congratulatory message stating in particular that ‘the feeling of unity has always prevailed among Orthodox Churches, their clergy and faithful – the unity of the faith but also the unity of accomplishments and aspirations. Especially in this period, in this historical context when the world is changing and humanity is experiencing a common crisis of values, it is necessary to feel this unity and experience it so that we may succeed in the cause of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ… This cause devoted to the ministry of Orthodox unity is really great, excellent and pleasing to God’.

Large Forest Fires near Hilandar

LATEST NEWS: Friday, August 10, 2012 at 8 a.m. - The Hilandar has reported that the fires approached to 3.5 km from the monastery. 

Since last night, due to unfavorable wind direction, the fire moved by 1.5 km towards the Hilandar. In relation to the line of defense wich fireprotecting road represents in the area of Proto Nero, the fire is only 700 meters away, which is extremely dangerous for the defense of  the Hilandar. Forty-nine firefighters ,rescuers, from Serbia with four fire engines and other operational vehicles are expected to arrive any moment.