One more Russian church to open in Mt. Athos

The Russian Athonite Society signed a contract with St. Paul Athos Monastery on financing a construction of St. Paul Church above the Holy cave of the saint. Private persons and organizations will donate funds to the Russian Athonite Society, the Society's press service has reported. The holy cave is situated not far from the monastery. Its founder St. Paul of Xiropotam lived in it at the 10th century.

Archbishop of Paris to visit Russia

Archbishop of Paris Andre Vingt-Trois will be in Russia on a visit on October 26 to 30 at the invitation of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. "The Russian Patriarch visited Paris last year, where he was cordially welcomed by the Catholic side. It is the cardinal's return visit," Priest Igor Vyzhanov, secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, told Interfax-Religion on Tuesday.

Alexy II: It was unreasonable not to mention the role of Christianity in European history when drafting EU Constitution

Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia believes that it contradicts historical truth not to mention the role of Christianity in the history of European civilization.

"I am convinced that the decision to exclude even mentioning of Christian basis from the Constitution of united Europe was unreasonable," Alexy II said at the session of guardian council of the Orthodox Encyclopedia church-scientific center in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

Address of Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW to the XIIth General Assembly of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church

Your Holiness,
Synodal Fathers,

It is at once humbling and inspiring to be graciously invited by Your Holiness to address the XIIth Ordinary General Assembly of this auspicious Synod of Bishops, an historical meeting of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church from throughout the world, gathered in one place to meditate on "the Word of God" and deliberate on the experience and expression of this Word "in the Life and Mission of the Church."

15th All-American Council

"The documentation now posted on the web site includes reports from the Chancellor, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Director of Ministries and Communications," said OCA Secretary, Archpriest Eric G. Tosi. "Delegates will also find a financial report that contains complete 2007 and partial 2008 financial statements for the OCA and for its stavropegial institutions."

Other material included are reports from each OCA ministry department, St. Vladimir's and St. Tikhon's seminaries, stavropegial monasteries, St. Catherine's Representation Church in Moscow, and the report from the Pension Board.

Cuba's first Russian Orthodox cathedral opens

Cuba's first Russian Orthodox cathedral was consecrated Sunday amid church bells, liturgical chants and the presence of President Raul Castro, in a sign of goodwill toward the island's former chief benefactor.

Russian diplomats and members of Cuba's dwindling Russian community crowded into the whitewashed seaside cathedral, which is topped by a gleaming gold dome.