Patriarch Kirill has consecrated the first Russian church in Turkey

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has consecrated a church of Sts Konstantin and Elena on Monday in summer residence of Russian consulate in a place of Buyukdere near Istanbul. According to correspondent of Interfax-Religion, members of the Russian Church delegation accompanying Patriarch in the trip to Turkey have taken part in consecration and in the subsequent Divine Liturgy. The chorus of the Moscow Sretensky monastery sang during the service, and some employees of Russian embassy also assisted on the Liturgy.

Center of Hellenic Fund for Culture opened in Belgrade

Presidents of Serbia and Greece Boris Tadic and Carolos Papoulias opened this evening in Belgrade the Center of the Hellenic Fund for Culture. President Tadic emphasized during the celebration that Serbs and Greeks have common history, but they will have a common future within the European Union.

President Papoulias said that Serbia and Greece today build together an epoch of peace on the Balkans. " Serbia have all rights to be in EU because of its history, culture and geographic location", said President of Greece, who in last two days in Belgrade has given the full support to European integration processes in Serbia, as well as its endeavor to preserve its territorial integrity in Kosovo and Metohija.

Representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church at the formal reception at U.S. Embassy in Belgrade

On the occasion of the Independence Day  of the USA, which is being celebrated on July 4, at the residence of the U.S. embassy on Dedinje there was organized a formal reception of high representatives from all parts of public life - state, religious, cultural and other.

St Vitus Day in Kosovo and Metohija

Commemorating St Vitus Day in Grachanica is followed by many cultural manifestations which begin fifteen days before the actual holiday. As
a part of this manifestations book promotions, concerts, photo exhibitions and pictures, young poets' evenings. Last two evenings before St Vitus Day are reserved for two most visited events - " Most beautiful girl of Kosovo" and " St Vitus Day poet communion".

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan D. Williams: An Opportunity for Turkey is the School of Halki

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan D. Williams visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate for three days and had meetings with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Committee on Inter-Christian Relations. He also visited the Theological School of Halki and attended the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George.

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.