Primates and representatives of Orthodox Churches in Kremlin

President of the Russian Federation for the first time in history will meet with primates and representatives of the local Orthodox Churches. As reported, president Vladimir Putin will receive high guests in the Great Palace of Kremlin.

President Putin will welcome Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria and All Africa, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, Serbian Patriarch Irinej, Patriarch Illiya of Georgia, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, Archbishop Sava of Poland, as well as representatives of other local Orthodox Churches. This meeting will affirm the contribution of Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church to a development of modern civilization and the foundation of spiritual and moral principles. Participants of this meeting will discuss about issues regarding ecumenical Orthodoxy, but also about issues in connection with Orthodox communities throughout the world.

Delegation of Orthodox Church of Jerusalem arrives in Moscow

On 22 July 2013, the delegation of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, headed by His Beatitude Patriarch Theofilos III of Jerusalem, arrived in Moscow for the celebration of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia.

The delegation includes Archbishop Theophylactos of Jordan; Archbishop Aristarhos of Constantina; Archimandrite Damianos, Exarch of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Greece; Archdeacon Athanassios, assistant to the dean of the Patriarchate of Jeruslaem; and Archimandrite Stefan (Dispirakis), representative of the Patriarch of Jerusalem to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Pope Francis arrives in Rio de Janeiro

Pope Francis has left Rome for his 12 hour flight to Rio de Janeiro, where he will attend the 28th World Youth Day. The Holy Father carried his own bag onto the plane. Pope Francis will spend all but one day of his week-long journey in the Brazilian city hosting the event.

During his week-long visit, Francis will see the faces of Brazil's success and struggles, starting with a meeting Monday with President Dilma Rousseff and followed by a visit to one of Rio's sprawling favelas, or slums, on Thursday.

Delegation of the Patriarchate of Antioch arrives in Moscow on the occasion of 1025th anniversary of Baptism of Rus’

On July 22nd, a delegation of the Patriarchate of Antioch arrived in Moscow, which was sent by His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Great Antioch and All East, in order to participate in celebrations on the occasion of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’.

The head of the delegation is Metropolitan Anthony (Shedraui) of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Venezuela. Along with the delegation is also Bishop Constantine (Kayal) of Chrisopolis, who came from Lebanon.  The representative of Patriarch of Antioch at Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Archbishop Niphon (Saykali) accompanied the delegation in Moscow. The high guests were welcomed by Bishop Panteleimon of Orehovo-Zuev, co-worker of the Department of External Church Relations Stefan (Igumnov), representatives of the clergy of the city of Moscow.

Over 70 sites at the Kiev Caves Lavra to be granted for use by Ukranian Orthodox Church

The Ukrainian government has decided to give to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (the Patriarchate of Moscow) for free use 75 objects of the national preserve—the Kiev Caves Lavra (Monastery) of the Dormition, reported the minister of culture Leonid Novohatko on Thursday. The respective decree was approved at the meeting of the cabinet.

"The adoption of the government decree will legally regulate the de facto situation that has existed for decades in the Lavra (Monastery) of the Kiev Caves. I would like to point that there is language only concerning free use of the property and not on separation from the owner," the press service of the Ministry of culture cites Novohatko."