Holy Synod appoints Archbishop Nathaniel Locum Tenens, Bishop Michael Temporary Administrator

Holy Synod appoints Archbishop Nathaniel Locum Tenens, Bishop Michael Temporary Administrator

On Monday, July 9, 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah and the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops met via conference call to further discuss His Beatitude’s resignation, as reported earlier on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America.

The hierarchs issued the following statement at the conclusion of their meeting.

“To the Venerable Clergy, Devout Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America:

“Beloved in Christ,  Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

His Beatitude address of welcome to H.E. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on the occasion of his visit to the baptism site Jordan

 His Beatitude address of welcome to H.E. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on the occasion of his visit to the baptism site Jordan

Address of Welcome to His Excellency Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation on the Occasion of his Visit to the Baptism Site Jordan.

Esteemed Vladimir Vladimirovich,
Your Royal Highness,
Dear distinguished guest,

We welcome you, Your Excellency, to this Holy Site where Our Lord Jesus Christ received baptism at the hands of the Holy Forerunner John the Baptist. From the earliest days of the life of the Church, pilgrims have come here, as you have done today, not simply to commemorate the event of Our Lord’s baptism, but also to re commit themselves to their own spiritual renewal.

Address of welcome Of His Excellency Vladimir Putin on the occasion on his visit to the Church Of The Nativity.

Address of welcome Of His Excellency Vladimir Putin on the occasion on his visit to the Church Of The Nativity.

Address of Welcome His Excellency Vladimir Viadimirovich Putin President of the Russian Federation on the Occasion of his Visit to the Church of the Nativity Bethlehem.

Esteemed Vladimir Viadimirovich,

Your Eminences,

Your Exellencies,

Dear Friends,

It is written “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news”. ( Rom, 10:15).

Your Excellency, Vladimir Viadimirovich, this morning we welcome you with joy to Bethlehem and to the Church of the Nativity, the place where Joy burst Into the life of the world Here, where the Eternal Logos became man, earth and heaven were joined, and the angels rejoiced;

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with youth delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with youth delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

On 8 July 2012, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with the delegation of young people from six dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The meeting took place in the Red Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The delegation arrived in Russia within the programme of the celebration marking the fifth anniversary of the restoration of canonical unity within the Russian Orthodox Church.

Taking part in the meeting were Bishop Panteleimon of Smolensk and Vyazma, chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Ministry; Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, vicar of the San Francisco and Western American diocese (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia); and archpriest Andrei Sommer, deputy chairman of the Synodal Youth Department (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia).

President of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate at the Phanar

 President of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate at the Phanar
 President of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate at the Phanar
 President of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate at the Phanar
 President of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate at the Phanar

On Thursday, July 5, 2012, the President of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate, Professor Mehmet Görmez, accompanied by İstanbul Chief Mufti Rahmi Yaran, visited the Phanar, where he was received by His All-Holiness. Prof. Görmez expressed support for the reopening the Theological School of Halki, saying that it is a fundamental right of non-Muslims living in Turkey to educate their own leaders and teachers. In attendance also were Metropolitans Geron Apostolos of Derkoi, Theoliptos of Iconium and Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madyton as well as the legal advisers of the Patriarchate, Prof. and Mrs. Hussein Chatemi.