Ancient Bible Written in Syriac Found in Cyprus

An ancient Bible written in Syriac, a dialect of Jesus' native language, was found in Cyprus earlier this month.

Turkish Cypriot police who performed a raid on suspected antiquity smugglers had found the Scriptures in the northern Turkish-controlled part of Cyprus, according to Reuters. The police testified in court that they believe the ancient holy text could be as old as 2,000 years.

Bulgaria to Get Part of St. Klimen Ohridski's Relics from Macedonia

Bulgaria is to get part of the relics of Saint Kliment Ohridski from Macedonia after the Orthodox Church authorities in Skopje decided to satisfy the demand of Plovdiv Bishop Nikolay. The relics' giving will be performed by the Macedonian Bishop Timotey on November 24.

His Beatitude Jonah Visits the Orthodox Christian Mission Center

On Tuesday, February 10th the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) was honored by a visit from His Beatitude Jonah, Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada. Following a tour of the new Missionary Training and Administration Building, which will open its doors later this year, His Beatitude offered His hopeful prayers and words of encouragement to the gathered Mission Center staff. His Beatitude stated that, "The foundation and history of the Church is missions and the very essence of the Church is missions." His Beatitude further reminded the staff that missions is one of the most important functions of the Church because "Jesus Christ and the Gospel heals people's souls," and that through Christ "people are given hope and a sense of meaning."

SVS faculty footprints: spring semester 2009

The faculty of St. Vladimir's Seminary (SVS) serve the Orthodox Christian Church worldwide through their research, teaching, writing, and membership in various church ministries. Their activities throughout the globe-which include everything from presenting retreats at local parishes in the U.S. to witnessing to their faith at ecumenical venues-leave memorable "footprints," as they spread the message of Christ crucified and continue to follow his path.

Bishop Mark of Yegoryevsk temporarily appointed as chief of Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill has ordered Bishop Mark of Yegoryevsk to temporarily perform the duties of the head of the Moscow Patriarchate Departmet for External Church Relations. The Patriarch announced the decision at a meeting on Wednesday with the staff of the Department, which he had led for almost 20 years prior to being elected as the Patriarch.

Russian Church expects preparatory work for All-Orthodox Council to be resumed under Patriarch Kirill

The Russian Orthodox Church believes that preparations for the All-Orthodox Council will be more active in the nearest future. "We expect that preparatory process for the great and holy All-Orthodox Council of the Eastern Church will be revived," Inter-Orthodox Secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations Archpriest Nikolay Balashov said on Friday at a telebridge between Moscow and Paris.