Orthodox Churches

Archdiocese of Athens going digital

The Archdiocese of Athens of the Greek Orthodox Church recently held an intensive seminar, introducing its clergy to the world of digital technology.

Three hundred clergymen filled the seats in the archdiocesan Cultural Center to receive their new training at the hands of diocesan chancellor Archimandrite Symeon Volioti, reports orthodoxia.info. After an opening prayer, Fr. Symeon set about explaining how the archdiocese’s new applications can make life easier for both clergy and laity.

First Orthodox church in northern Congo opened

On Sunday, February 5 His Grace Bp. Panteleimon of Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon celebrated the consecration of the newly-built Church of St. John the Baptist-St. Nicholas in Impfondo, a town in the north eastern Republic of the Congo with a population of around 20,000. The church is the first in northern Congo, reports Romfea.

Miraculous icon of St. John the Baptist stolen from Lyadova monastery

An ancient miraculous icon of St. John the Baptist was stolen from the cliff monastery of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist in Lyadova, Ukraine, 225 miles southwest of Kiev.

Saint Petersburg Hermitage Museum displays only lifetime portrait of St. Xenia

An oil portrait of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg has been found among the collections of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, which researchers believe to be the only lifetime image of the city’s patron saint. The work has been restored and exhibited in the “Ancient Village” section of the museum, reports Izvestia.

Bishop Irinej of Eastern America visits Saint Vladimir’s Seminary

On Monday, January 30, 2017—the Feast of the Three Hierarchs—His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and His Grace, Bishop Irinej of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel.

Metropolitan Tikhon, who serves as Chairman of the school’s Board of Trustees, warmly welcomed Bishop Irinej to his “alma mater” for the first time since his appointment to the Eastern Diocese.  For several years, he had served in Australia.

Russian church on Cyprus to open in March

A majestic new church has been appearing over the past few months in the courtyard of the Metropolis of Tamasos and Orinis in the Nicosia district of Cyprus. The church, under the patronage of St. Andrew and All Russian Saints, being built in a Russian style, is unparalleled on the island. The church is due to be consecrated and opened in March this year, reports the site of the Church of Cyprus.