News

Advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief for All: Experts gather at Halki

From September 7 to 9 more than 40 human rights experts from across Europe journeyed to the hilltop theological school of Halki on the Turkish island of Heybeliada. Once the heart of theological education for the Orthodox world, the school closed in 1971 as a result of a ban on private higher education in Turkey. Arriving by plane, train, and even by foot, participants discussed and debated approaches to advancing freedom of religion or belief.

Jewish New Year 5776

Evening worship last night marked the beginning of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) - 5776

The Editorial Board of the Information Service of the Serbian Patriarchate wishes its fellow citizens of the faith of the Covenant an abundance of divine blessings also in the New Year. May our fellow citizens feel happy and live in prosperity and every progress! We pray that every peace that comes from God, who is the Prince of Peace, dwells in the heart of each our fellow citizen of Abrahamic faith also during New Year 5776.  

L'Shanah Tovah!  L'Shanah Tovah U'Metuka!

Icon of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide Brought to St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral of Yerevan

On September 8, at 10:30, on the feast of the birth of the Holy Virgin Mary, with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the icon of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide will be placed in the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral of Yerevan for veneration and prayers of our faithful.

The icon of the Holy Martyrs was consecrated on April 23, during the Canonization service of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

The icon will reside in the Mother Cathedral for a month.

Source: OCP

The Pope Will Meet With Fidel Castro on Cuba

Pope Francis will meet with the Cuban president, Fidel Castro, during his upcoming trip to the island, scheduled from 19 to 22 September, as revealed on Monday on the site Vatican Insider.

In the article, it is explained that the Vatican requested the meeting, which has received the green light from the authorities of the Island. The details of the meeting, to be held in Havana are still unknown.

International conference: "Peace is always possible" begins in Tirana

Peace is Always Possible

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the last Balkan war, an international conference is being held in Tirana, Albania to discuss the important theme of peace. This conference is being hosted by the Community of Sant'Egidio in coordination with the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and the Episcopal Conference of Bishops of Albania.

ISIS Release 15 Assyrians Captured in Qaryatain – Syria

ISIS has released 15 Assyrians who were captured in the town of Qaryatain, Syria after they paid the jizya (poll tax). The 15 were among the 250 Assyrians captured when Qaryatain fell to ISIS on August 6. After capturing Qaryatain, ISIS issued an ultimatum to the Christian population: pay the jizya, convert to Islam or leave.