News

Nature of communion and authority studied at 76th Orthodox-Catholic Consultation

The 76th meeting of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation took place at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY, June 1 to 3, 2009. The session, hosted by the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas [SCOBA], was co-chaired by His Eminence, Metropolitan Maximos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh and Roman Catholic Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

New Skete to hold annual pilgrimage August 8, 2009

The annual pilgrimage to New Skete Monastery here will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2009, during the Post-Feast of the Transfiguration. The theme of this year's pilgrimage is "Jesus: The Heart of Renewal." In addition to a full schedule of liturgical services and other events, Dr. Peter Bouteneff of Saint Vladimir's Seminary, Crestwood, NY, will address pilgrims on the theme's theological significance, while Sister Rebecca will offer a presentation on the image of Christ in the world as reflected in iconography.

Role of bishop of Rome key to Catholic-Orthodox progress

A common understanding of the role the bishop of Rome played in the united Christianity of the first millennium is essential for resolving the question of the primacy of the pope in a united church, Pope Benedict XVI said.

The pope met June 27 with Orthodox Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, Bishop Athenagoras of Sinope, who serves as the assistant metropolitan of Belgium, and Deacon Ioakim Billis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Archbishop Jovan of Ohrid participates in the international Science Conference in Veria, Greece

His Eminence Archbishop Jovan of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje,asked by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, participated in the XV International Science Conference Pavlia which is being held each year in Veria, in Greece, from June 25-28, 2009. This year a theme of the conference was: Family - Paul`s theology and
the contemporary insight.

The 16th Orthodox Inter-Parliamentary General Assembly

At the House of the National Assembly on June 24, 2009 the 16th Orthodox Inter-Parliamentary General Assembly was opened with a formal session. It is being held in Belgrade from June 24 – 28, 2009 and its host is the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

Assembly Chairman and the member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Sergei Popov, who pointed out that this conference is a chance to be heard a voice of Orthodoxy and the voice of all Christians. Popov also announced that the General Assembly will consider a response to the world economic crisis from the point of view of Christianity, as well as focus on the status of the orthodox people in Kosovo and Metohija, stressing that the forthcoming celebration of the 620th annual of the Battle of Kosovo, on June 28th.

British court confirms Russian Orthodox Church's right to London Cathedral

The UK High Court has confirmed the belonging of the London Cathedral to the Sourozh Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. The "judgment confirms that the Church should continue to have the benefit and use of such assets, including the London Cathedral," the Moscow Patriarchate website said on Monday.

"The judgment also recognizes that the Church is a thriving community, that it has in recent years enjoyed a substantial increase in membership," the website said. "The cathedral will hold its usual daily services at which all the faithful are very welcome to attend."