Rare Seal of St. Sabas Discovered in Jerusalem
8. July 2014 - 11:55
An extremely rare seal of the Monastery of St. Sabas dated from the the Crusader period was discovered during excavations in Jerusalem. Unearthed a year and a half ago it was only now identified as a unique seal stamped by the laura – the Monastery of St. Sabas. The 800 year old seal bears a Greek inscription and the obverse side carries a figure. Dr. Robert Kool of the Israel Antiquities Authority conducted the examination of the seal and Prof. Jean-Claude Cheynet of France identified it as a seal stamped by the laura – the Monastery of St. Sabas during the Medieval period.
Solemn opening of Andricgrad
30. June 2014 - 12:36
On the occasion of the centenary of the beginning of the First World War and the Sarajevo Assasination Andricgrad was solemnly opened in attendance of the highest officials of Republic of Srpska and Serbia in Visegrad, on 28 June 2014.
By cutting the red tape Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, President of Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik and film director Emir Kusturica solemnly opened cultural and historic center - Andricgrad.
Hundreds of Egyptian women and girls kidnapped, forced into Islam, claims report
24. June 2014 - 10:24
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
24. June 2014 - 9:10
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
24. June 2014 - 9:03
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».
