The EU should give more attention to the problem of destruction of Orthodox sanctuaries in Kosovo and Metochia

The European Union should address the destruction of Orthodox sanctuaries in Kosovo with much more attention, the new Russian minister of Culture Alexander Avdeyev believes. "I saw destroyed churches, museums, and desecrated sanctuaries in Kosovo, and, of cause, I find it impossible to stay indifferent, whether it concerns the Moslem or the Orthodox religion. Most of the sanctuaries destroyed in Kosovo are Orthodox. UNESCO sounds the alarm, but more often than not receives no adequate reaction from the EU," said the minister, as quoted by the Rossiiskaya Gazeta daily on Thursday.

The Moscow Patriarchate believes missionary activities should be transparent

The Russian Orthodox Church is concerned that some missionaries don't observe the law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations as they conceal their confession, Interfax-Religion reports. "The Russian law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations clearly reads: "Name of the religious organization should contain information on its confession. Religious organization should indicate its full title when carrying out its activities," Vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin writes in his Scraps essays published by the Pravoslavnaya Moskva paper.

Greek Orthodox archbishop to visit Moscow

According to a press release from the Greek Orthodox Church in the US, Archbishop Demetrios of America will travel to Russia on May 21, leading a delegation from the Archdiocese on an official visit to the Patriarchate of Moscow. This first official visit of an Archbishop of America to the Church of Russia comes after the invitation of Patriarch Alexy II, conveyed both in person by His Grace Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk, the Administrator of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the United States, and in writing by His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the Head of External Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Accompanying the Archbishop on the seven day visit will be two Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston and Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, as well as the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Bishop Savas of Troas, Mr. Michael Jaharis, the Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council, representatives of major Church organizations, and accompanying staff.

PUBLIC COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE REGULAR CONVOCATION OF THE HOLY ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH HELD IN BELGRADE

In the Patriarchate in Belgrade, with the blessings of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle, and under the presidency of His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, who in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of the Serbian Orthodox Church substitutes for His Holiness, who is currently absent due to illness, the regular convocation of The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church was held from 15 to 21 May 2008. All of the diocesan hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the country and abroad, as well as His Beatitude Jovan, Archbishop of Ochrid and Metropolitan of Skopje, together with the hierarchs of the Autonomous Archdiocese of Ochrid participated in the work of The Assembly.

In the spirit of Paschal joy and with love in the Risen Lord, confronted by great contemporary spiritual challenges, The Holy Assembly of Bishops concerned itself with issues vital to the life, order and mission of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Vandals attack Orthodox cemetery in Tuzla

Unknown individuals attempted to break into the Church of St. George at Trnovac cemetery in Tuzla yesterday, said local priest Niko Tošić.Tošić said that the culprits had broken a door, and smashed some of the chapel's windows. The priest said that property belonging to the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) in Tuzla had been attacked and damaged over 50 times in the course of the last seven years, and three times so far this year.

Visit of His Beatitude to the Minister of Education

Yesterday His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Hieronymus paid a formal visit to the Minister of National Education and Religious Affaires Mr. Euripides Stylianidis.

After meeting His Beatitude, the Minister of Education expressed his joy and honour to have received the Archbishop. He also talked about an efficient cooperation that will upgrade religious education and will open new horizons.