Orthodox Churches

Multi-day cross processions underway in Bulgaria and Romania

Cross processions, when the faithful gather in prayer, bearing icons and banners, are an especially beloved form of worship among Orthodox Christians, and the summer months are especially conducive to the extended cross processions that are especially beloved in Eastern Europe.

Hundreds of thousands gathered in processions in Kiev and throughout Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia to celebrate the Baptism of Rus’ on July 28. While the procession in Kiev is perhaps the most well-known, other processions are also underway in Bulgaria and Romania, among other places.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem visits Tje Russian nunnery of St. Mary Magdalene in Gethsemane

On Sunday July 22/ August 4, 2019, the commemoration of the Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, was celebrated with especial liturgical brilliance at the Holy Russian Nunnery dedicated to the Saint in Gethsemane. Before the end of the Divine Liturgy, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos visited the Holy Nunnery, escorted by Geronda Secretary-General Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and Archdeacon Mark, and was welcomed by the Metropolitan Mark of Germany from the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), Archimandrite Romanos, the Abbess of the Nunnery, Nun Elizabeth, and the Abbess of the Russian Nunnery of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives Nun Veronica.

The feast of Prophet Elijah at The Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Friday July 20/ August 2, 2019, the Patriarchate celebrated the commemoration of Prophet Elijah the Thesbite in his historic Holy Monastery, which is located between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, near the ancient Monastery of Theotokos’ Seat.

On this feast the Church projects Prophet Elijah as a person full of strong and extreme zeal for the name of God, for which reason God graced him with the Divine power so that he was able to work many miracles and perform signs, as recorded in the books of Kings in the Old Testament and in St. James Epistle in the New Testament.

Ecumenical Patriarch: We must display strong spiritual resistance against hatred and violence

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expresses his revulsion and deep shock at the murderous US shootings at El Paso, Texas, which killed 20 and injured twenty six fellow citizens, but also at the bloody attack in Dayton, Ohio, which killed and injured many of our fellow citizens.  Patriarch Bartholomew said he strongly condemns all acts of hatred, be it racial, religious or social, but also any form of violence and fundamentalism, wherever they may come from.

Katerini welcomed the Relics of St. Dionysius of Olympus

According to an old custom, a fragment of the remains of Saint Dionysius, Patron Saint and Curator of all Pieria, was transferred for the 15th of August from the homonymous monastery of Olympus to Katerini. 

Specifically, on Thursday, August 1, in the central park of the city, the reception of the Holy Relics was held in the presence of the Clergy and the People, led by Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna. Then a liturgical procession was formed to the Church of Virgin Mary Pantanassa. There the relic was placed next to the icon of Panagia Odigitria.

Festal celebrations for the 27th anniversary since the enthronement of Archbishop Anastasios

With the participation of six Archpriests, many priests and a crowd of people, the 27th anniversary of the enthronement of the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania was celebrated on Friday, August 2, at the Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana. 

This event is a starting point for the rebuilding, rebirth and reestablishment of the Church in the neighboring country.