Vatican issues cautious statement after visit by Kosovo leader

Vatican, Feb. 4, 2008 (CWNews.com) - After Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) met on February 2 with Fatmir Sejdiu, the president of Kosovo, the Vatican press office issued a statement emphasizing that the Holy See was not changing its policy regarding the possible independence of the Serbian province.

The Vatican "will follow developments on the ground with particular attention," the official statement indicated. The communiqué went on to say that the Holy See looked for a peaceful resolution of conflicts there, respectful of the rights of all parties.

New Archbishop of Athens to Be Elected on the 7th of February

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece will convene at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral Church on February 7 to elect a successor to Archishop Christodoulos of blessed memory.

On an extraordinary meeting held on Monday, following the passing away of Archbishop Christodoulos, the date for electing a new Archishop was set for Thursday, February 7. Furhtermore, during that meeting it was decided when the funeral service would be held.

Source: www.ecclesia.gr

The Official Internet Presentation of the Serbian Orthodox Church Ranks Among the First 50 Best Domestic Internet Presentations

Just like in the previous years, the official Internet Presentation of the Serbian Orthodox Church ranked among the 50 best domestic internet presentations in 2007, according to the editor in chief of the PC magazine. The complete list was pulished in the 141. number of the February issue and can be seen at http://www.pcpress.co.yu/top50/

The Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Passed Away

His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Christodoulos, head of the Greek Orthodox Church passed away at the age of 69, on the 28th of January, at 6 o' clock in the morning (Greek time). Following a seven months battle with cancer, he died at his residence.

The funeral service will be officiated at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral on Thursday, at 10 o' clock. The mortal remains of the late Archbishop will then be buried at the 1st Athens Cemetary with full honors of Head of State.

Representatives of all Orthodox Churches are expected to attend the funeral service. Very Rt. Rev. Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Coastlands Amfilohije will represent the Serbian Orthodox Church, while the Ohrid Archiepiscopy will be represented by the Archbishop of Ohrid and the Metropoly of Skoplje, Jovan.

New Serbian Stars have shone upon Australia and the World!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,
but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize (I Cor 9:24).

These days, not only the eyes of Serbian-Australians, but the eyes of the world were fixed on the Australian Open in Melbourne watching our Serbian athletes, our finest ambassadors to the world compete in a record tennis tournament!

Restitution of 1000 Hectares of Land o the Kovilj Monastery

The director of the Serbian Restitution Directorate, Mr. Vladimir Todorovic, said that 1000 hectares of land that had been taken away after WWII have been returned to the Kovilj Monastery. Mr. Todorovic pointed out for the Novi Sad based newspaper “Gradjanski list’’ that this represented one of the nine decisions brought so far on the restitution of church property.