Orthodox Churches

Patriarch John X of Antioch undergoes eye surgery

According to a statement on the Antiochian Patriarchate’s Facebook page, dated March 2, His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch recently underwent surgery on his left eye, completing earlier treatment. In October 2015, His Beatitude fell while entering the Holy Monastery of the Panagia of Evros in Marki, Alexadroupoli, breaking his glasses and injuring his eye. At that time he underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Alexandroupoli.

Luncheon honoring Syrian Patriarch

On Wednesday, March 1, 2017, His Grace, Bishop Irinej of Eastern America was among those invited to a lenten luncheon honoring His Holiness, Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch at Saint Vartan Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, the headquarters of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), New York, NY. 

Hierarchs of the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches were invited to the luncheon, hosted by His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Armenian Diocese of Eastern America, Primate of the Armenian Church of America.

Orthodox Church is most trusted institution in Bulgaria

According to a recent survey on Bulgarians’ attitudes towards various institutions, they trust the Bulgarian Orthodox Church the most, with political bodies and parties coming in last. The survey is summarized by The Sofia Globe. Sofia’s Open Society Institute’s February 28 report on the national public opinion survey shows that 55% of respondents trust the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The same amount answered that they trust the EU as well, while 31% distrust the EU, and one percent less distrust the Church.

Position of the Romanian Orthodox Church regarding the “civil partnership”

The Romanian Patriarchate observes with much concern the proceedings related to the potential formalisation of the so-called “civil partnership”, namely the draft law that is currently on the agenda of the Chamber of Deputies. We consider that to institutionalise an alternative type of family is contrary to the Christian faith and the tradition of the Romanian people, and can have serious consequences for the moral life in our families and society.

Restoration of Holy Sepulchre to be done in time for Holy Fire and Pascha

The burial slab within the Tomb was removed for the first time in 500 years.

With some joyous news for the beginning of the Orthodox Great Lenten podvig, head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem Archimandrite Alexander (Elisov) has stated that the restoration work on the Edicule over the Holy Sepulchre, the Lord’s Tomb, will be completed in time for Pascha, reports RIA-Novosti.

The orthodox christians of Kolwezi the Missionary Patriarch for His nameday

On Friday 17th February 2017, the feast of the Saint and Great Martyr Theodore of Tyre, the day on which His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa celebrates his name day, a festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Holy Church of St Nicholas, within the Missionary Centre of Kolwezi, conducted by the Alexandrian Primate, together with Their Eminences Nicephorus, Metropolitan of Kinshasa, Innocent, Metropolitan of Burundi and Rwanda, and the local Metropolitan Meletios of Katanga, accompanied by the Clergy of the Hy Metropolis.