News

Alexandria Patriarchate Library

The preservation of the extremely important Alexandria Patriarchate Library is a fact. With money by the National Bank of Greece, the renowned collections of the library were preserved by the experts of the National Bank's Cultural Foundation and are henceforth highlighted at the Alexandria Patriarchate Mansion, where the library's inauguration was held on Friday with pomp.

The collection totals 40,000 books and 7,000 old manuscripts and rear editions dating from 1460 to 1800.

Formal Peaceful Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate

His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Hieronymus II will be on a Formal Peaceful Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, from May 9 to May 12, 2008. The Formal Doxology for the reception of His Beatitude will be held on Friday9/5/2008 at 11.30 a.m. at the Patriarchal Church of St. George.

Belgrade-Born Charles Simic is US Poet Laureate

In the U.S, poetry's most visible ambassador is the Poet Laureate of the United States, an honorary position bestowed upon our most distinguished bards by the Librarian of Congress, usually for a year. VOA's Adam Phillips spoke with the newest Poet Laureate of the United States: 70 year old, Belgrade-born, Charles Simic, and prepared this profile.

Russian Church calls for bigger protection of Christians worldwide by EU

The European Union should give better protection to Christians worldwide, Russian Church Representative to European International Organizations, Bishop Hilarion of Vienna and Austria said at a Monday meeting between EU officials and European religious leaders in Brussels. "Tolerance should not cause detriment to Christians, who still make up the majority of the European population. Phobia and discrimination of Christians should be condemned officially," he said.

Moscow wants to join restoration of Kosovo Orthodox monuments - Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry is weighing up a plan to help in the restoration of Orthodox monuments in Kosovo. "The Russian president has instructed the Foreign Ministry to come up with a plan to help in the restoration of Orthodox monuments in Kosovo under a UNESCO project, and make funds available for this project," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Medvedev: Special relations with Orthodox Church will be maintained

Special relations between the state and the Russian Orthodox Church will be kept and further developed, President Dmitry Medvedev has said. After conducting a prayer "For the Beginning of the Lofty Endeavor" in the Kremlin's Cathedral of the Annunciation, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia conveyed good wishes to the newly sworn-in head of state.

"The Church is ready to continue cooperating [with the state], since we have one Fatherland, one history and one future," Alexy II said.