Commission for the preparation of the meeting of Primates of Local Orthodox Churches concludes its work
7. March 2014 - 9:28
On 5 March 2014, the commission for the preparation of the forthcoming meeting of the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, chaired by Metropolitan John of Pergamon, continued its work at the Throne Hall of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Taking part in the commission was the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, which included Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations; archpriest Nikolai Balashov, DECR vice-chairman; and deacon Anatoly Churiakov, a DECR staff member.
Brotherly meeting of Primates of Church of Constantinople and Russian Church takes place at the Patriarchate of Constantinople
6. March 2014 - 10:44
On 5 March 2014, upon his arrival to Istanbul, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia headed for the Patriarchate of Constantinople where he met with His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew.
His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople warmly greeted the Primate of the Russian Church and his suite and expressed his joy over the participation of Patriarch Kirill in the meeting (synaxis) of the Primates and representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches.
Patriarch Kirill begins his visit to Instanbul
6. March 2014 - 10:42
On March 5, 2014, the Wednesday of the first week of Lent, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, after a morning service at the Church of Christ the Saviour, left for Istanbul (Constantinople) for a meeting of heads and representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches. The Primates come to Istanbul at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.
Despite the suggestions repeatedly made by the Russian Church that the date of the meeting should be changed, it will take place during the first week of Lent and expected to conclude on Sunday, March 9.
“His Holiness the Patriarch very much regrets that he cannot share in prayer with his flock in the forthcoming days of the first week of Lent”, said the head of the Patriarchal Press Service, Deacon Alexander Volkov.
Deacon Alexander also related that during his stay at the Patriarchate of Constantinople, on the land sanctified by the feat of many old ascetics, His Holiness Kirill will pray for the strengthening of all the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church who have begun Lenten pursuits.
Feast of Venerable Simeon the Myrrh-Gusher at Hilandar Monastery
3. March 2014 - 15:35
The feast of Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Gusher, marking nine centuries since his birth, was solemnly celebrated at the Hilandar Monastery
On the eve of the feast-day, February 28nd, His Grace Bishop Jovan of Ulpiana, Vicar of the Serbian Patriarch, as well as numerous guests from Mt. Athos and all the Serbian lands, arrived to the monastery. The Bishop was welcomed by the brotherhood and the abbot of the monastery. His Grace officiated the all-night Vigil service and the Hierarchal Liturgy next morning.
