Orthodox Churches

Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross in Cairo

On the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, 3rd April 2016, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, officiated at Orthros and conducted the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St Nicholas in Cairo, concelebrating with Their Eminences Nicholas Metropolitan of Ermopolis, Arabic speaking Patriarchal Vicar, Nikodemos of Memphis Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo and Niphon of Pilousion Abbot of the centuries-old Monastery of St George in Old Cairo, where prior to the dismissal he performed the service of the Veneration of the Precious Cross according to the Church Typikon.

Holy Synod regards unia as running sore in Orthodox-Catholic relations

At its session on April 16, 2016 in St. Petersburg, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church heard a report of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on his visit to Latin America (Minutes No. 2).

Assessing the results of His Holiness’s meeting with Pope Francis of Rome, which took part during his visit and which resulted in signing a Joint Statement, the Holy Synod made special reference to the leaders’ statement that “the past method of ‘uniatism’ understood as the union of one community to the other, separating it from its Church, is not the way to re–establish unity”.

Medal of St. Mark of Ephesus instituted as award of Department for External Church Relations

The medal of St. Mark of Ephesus was instituted on 6 April 2016 with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia as an award of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR).

St. Mark of Ephesus, an outstanding defender of Orthodoxy, is an example to the DECR, the eldest Synodal institution of the Russian Orthodox Church. This year 2016 marks the 70th anniversary of the DECR.

The medal will be awarded to both cleryg and laity for achievements in external Church activities: for cooperation between Church and secular authorities in international activity; for upholding consent and civil peace in society; for considerable contribution to inter-Orthodox cooperation; for support of compatriots living abroad; for contribution to the strengthening of peace and friendship among countries and nations; and for active participation in Church and secular diplomacy.

40th Anniversary of Archbishop Averky (Taushev’s) Repose commemorated in Howell, NJ

On Wednesday, April 13, clergy and faithful gathered at the administrative center of the Eastern American Diocese in Howell, NJ, to prayerfully commemorate the 40th anniversary of the repose of Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of Syracuse & Holy Trinity, a distinguished hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, theologian and church author, and longtime rector of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY.

The Western American Diocese Will Mark the 50th Anniversary of the Repose of Saint John the Wonderworker

“Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants” (Leviticus 25:10).

The Western American Diocese is announces the 50^th Anniversary from the repose of our Father among the Saints JOHN Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker from June 30 to July 2, 2016.

His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion is scheduled to preside over the solemn Divine Services in honor of Saint John’s memory, accompanied by the members of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, other hierarchs and local and guest clergy.

A Growing Missionary Family: The Patitsas Family, OCMC’s Newest Missionaries to New Zealand

Please pray for OCMC’s newest missionaries Fr. Paul and Pres. Katerina Patitsas who are currently serving at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Auckland, New Zealand. Through your support that can further answer their call to share the Faith with the people of New Zealand and throughout the islands of Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa!