Orthodox Churches

Russian Orthodox Church Damascus representation celebrates Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

On April 1, 2018, the Day of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, the festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Great Antioch, Hegumen Arseniy (Sokolov), at the Damascus representation of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Holy Week: an Explanation

Great Lent and Holy Week are two separate fasts, and two separate celebrations. Great Lent ends on Friday of the fifth week (the day before Lazarus Saturday). Holy Week begins immediately thereafter. Let's explore the meaning of each of the solemn days of Passion Week.

Ancient capital of Georgia to be blessed on Annunciation-Holy Saturday

A solemn ceremony of the blessing of the ancient capital city of Mtskheta will be celebrated this year on the double feast of the Annunciation-Holy Saturday, reports News-Georgia.

The ceremonies will begin with the festive Divine Liturgy in the historic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the city of Mtskheta, followed by a procession during which the streets of the city will be sprinkled with Holy Water.

Holy Fire to be taken to Russian city where dozens of children perished in shopping mall fire

The Siberian city of Kemerovo was the site of a terrible fire on Sunday that broke out in the Winter Cherry shopping mall, claiming 64 lives, including 41 children, and leaving another 44 injured. Condolences have been pouring in from ecclesial and state authorities from throughout the world, and prayers have been lifted up for the victims throughout Russia and around the world.

The Celebration of Lazarus’ Resurrection at the Patriarchate

On Saturday March 18/31, 2018, the Patriarchate celebrated the commemoration of the rising from the dead of Holy and Righteous Lazarus by the Lord. Lazarus was the Lord’s friend according to the narrative of St. John the Evangelist (John 11:1-46), by which the Lord resurrected Lazarus, whom He loved dearly, and He cried before his tomb in Bethany “giving us an assurance of the common Resurrection before His Passion”.

The Palm Tree Branches Procession From Bet-faghe

On Lazarus Saturday afternoon (18.00), March 18/31, 2018, H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos blessed the palm tree branches at the Holy Monastery of Bet-Faghe. Then the traditional – since the first Christian years – palm tree branches procession  began from this Monastery, led by the Most Reverend Archbishop Theophanes of Gerassa.