Georgian patriarch prompts population boom

Georgia has stemmed a long-term population decline thanks to an unpredecented offer by the head of its Orthodox Church to be godfather to thousands of children, the civil registry agency said Friday. The agency linked a sharp increase in births and marriages to improved living standards and the offer by the patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church to become godfather to every third child born to aGeorgia family.

Metropoliltan Philip - His Life and Legacy

In this historic interview on Ancient Faith Radio, Metropolitan Philip talks candidly about such things as Orthodox unity, music, our witness to the world, his most memorable accomplishments as well as his biggest disappointments. This two part interview was conducted by Fr. Peter Gillquist, Chairman of the Department of Missions and Evangelism in the Antiochian Archdiocese. It was Fr. Peter and a large contingent of Evangelicals who were received into the Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Philip over 20 years ago.

Celebration of Patronal Feast of the Patriarchal Church

 The holiday of Holy Simenon The Myrrh-gusher, the founder ofthe Serbian Church and the State and the worshipper for all the Serbian people before the Creator, was celebrated this morning with Holy Hierarchal Liturgy, which upon the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle of Serbia was served by Their Graces Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac and Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno. 

Pope asks Catholics to fast during Lent

Pope Benedict XVI is calling for Catholics to fast during Lent as a way of opening their hearts to God and seeing how the poor live. Lent is observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and many Protestant denominations as a period of penitence and fasting.

Secularization Among Challenges of Orthodox Christianity in America, says Scholar

Orthodox Christians in America must affirm their identity if they are to have a strong future amid a secularizing reality in the United States, a Greek Orthodox scholar said. Orthodox Christians have "a message and a way of life" that they must present as "an alternative to the morally and spiritually down-spiraling contemporary American lifestyle," said Rev. Stanley Harakas, Archbishop Iakovos Professor of Orthodox Theology Emeritus at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

Australia holds National Mourning Day after fires

On Sunday, 22 February 2009 Australians held a National Day of Mourning service in the Melbourne Park Rod Laver Arena for the victims of wildfires that killed hundreds this month, and survivors were promised the nation would support them in the massive task of rebuilding.

Tears flowed as The Honourable Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the hellish blazes of "Black Saturday" on Feb. 7 - which killed more than 200 people - had tested the nation's character, and the response was courage, compassion and resilience.