Patriarch of Constantinople’s new encyclical defends Catholic-Orthodox dialogue
22. February 2010 - 9:32
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople's newest encyclical encourages dialogue between the Orthodox Church and other Christian churches and laments those who are "unacceptably fanatical" in challenging such dialogue. He specifically condemned the false rumors spread about Catholic-Orthodox dialogue. Patriarch Bartholomew's patriarchal and synodal encyclical was dated Feb. 21, Orthodoxy Sunday, when the Orthodox Church celebrates the defeat of the iconoclastic heresy.
Eastern Orthodox Christians to celebrate with historic service
22. February 2010 - 9:26Eastern Orthodox Christians of Colorado are celebrating solidarity with historic vespers services with three bishops and local clergy at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4610 E. Alameda Ave. in Denver. This would be the first time three bishops of the Eastern Orthodox Worldwide Communion have celebrated together at a Colorado service.
"Truth does not fear dialogue," says Ecumenical Patriarch
19. February 2010 - 10:14
Indifference in regard to Christian unity is not an option for the disciples of Jesus, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has stated in an encyclical issued on the occasion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
"It is not possible for the Lord to agonize over the unity of His disciples and for us to remain indifferent about the unity of all Christians," Bartholomew wrote in the encyclical. The Sunday of Orthodoxy is commemorated this year on 21 February.
The encyclical refutes "fanatical" challenges brought against theological dialogues among different Orthodox churches and against ecumenical contacts with the wider community of Christians by "certain circles that exclusively claim for themselves the title of zealot and defender of Orthodoxy."
Statistics on Russian Orthodox Church publicized by Patriarch Kirill’s in his report to the Bishops’ Conference in Moscow
9. February 2010 - 13:16Speaking at the Bishops' Conference held on 2 February 2010 in the chambers of the Church of Christ the Saviour, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia publicized the following statistics: in the Russian Orthodox Church as of today, there are 160 dioceses, 207 ruling and auxiliary bishops, 28434 priests and 3625 deacons. There are 30142 acting parishes, 788 monasteries including 386 male monasteries and 402 convents.
Turkish citizens hold demonstration outside Phanar in support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
9. February 2010 - 10:35
A demonstration in support of minorities was organized on Saturday, January 9, outside the compound of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul. The event was organized by a coalition of liberal and peacemaker organizations named '70 Million Steps Against Coups'. Demonstrators shouted slogans and held banners reading: 'No one should be able to touch the Patriarchate and Patriarch Bartholomew'; 'Long live the brotherhood of peoples'; 'Freedom'; 'Dissolve Ergenekon'; in Greek: 'All peoples are brothers and sisters'; and in Turkish: 'Bring coup instigators and ones planning "Klovos" to Justice.'
