Culture

Paschal Choral Concert in Belgrade

With the blessing of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irenej, a traditional Paschal concert with participation of many Orthodox choirs was held in Saint Sava’s Church in Belgrade on the Easter evening, 16 April 2017. The concert was performed under St. Paul’s words: ‘O death, where is thy sting? Where is thy victory? (1 Cor. 15: 55).

The concert was opened by a homily delivered by Bishop Arsenije of Toplica, vicar Bishop of the Serbian Patriarch and principal of St. Sava’s  Church. A great number of choirs participated  sharing the joy of the Resurrection of Christ with a large audience. Traditional church hymns, spiritual compositions of Serbian and Russian authors dedicated to the Feast-day of Resurrection, as well as other spiritual and patriotic hymns were on the program.

The Alexandrian Library opens its doors

On 22nd March 2017, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, welcomed to the Conference Centre of the Patriarchal Library within the Patriarchal Mansion, the Association of Alexandrian Scientists, who were visiting the Patriarchate for the first time.

Alexander The Greta in his beloved Alexandria

On 16th May 2017, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, accompanied byu His Eminence Narkissos Metropolitan of Accra and Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, visited Government House of the Great City of Alexandria, where he donated an elaborate bronze bust of Alexander the Great, a unique work by an artisit from Tinos, with the inxcription “Praxitelous”.

1400-year-old Byzantine coins found near Jerusalem

A stash of bronze coins dating to the fifth through seventh centuries has been found on the highway leading to Jerusalem in an archaeological excavation that began in June 2016. Archaeologists believe the coins may have belonged to Christians fleeing the invading Persian forces, reports Christian Today. The coins discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority were easily dated as they bear the image of the Byzantine emperors during whose reign they were made. Three periods are represented in the find: the reigns of Emperor St. Justinian (483-565), Maurice (539-602), and Phocas (547-610). Each coin depicts its respective ruler in military dress and bearing a cross.

Deacon Dragan Tanasijević: Chilandar – the Mother of Serbian Spirituality

It was in the gallery of the Parish house of Saint Sava church in Belgrade that deacon Dragan S. Tanasijević, the official photographer of the Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Church, presented a lecture on the topic extremely interesting Chilandar – the mother of Serbian Spirituality and with projection of the selected photos submitted to the audience a new insight into the Holy Serbian Rpyal Lavra, the monastery Chilandar.

On the world and eternity of the Athonite monasteries and specifically on the monastery Chilandar, the artist, photographer by the will of God, deacon Dragan Tanasijević exposed an unusual story complementing it with the photos that were incorporated into the line of pearls of Serbian spirituality.

Cyril of Alexandria: On the Publican and Pharisee

And He spoke also this parable unto certain men who trust in themselves that they are righteous, and despise others. "Two men went up unto the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. And the Pharisee stood and prayed thus to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of mankind, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or as this publican. I fast twice in the week. I pay tithe of all that I gain.' But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up even his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful unto me the sinner.' I tell you that this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For every one that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that abases himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:9-14).