Orthodox Churches
Holy Sepulchre closed again amidst wave of new infections
14. July 2020 - 9:59
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, encompassing the site of Christ’s Crucifixion and holy Resurrection, was closed to parishioners and pilgrims again on Friday due to continuing coronavirus pandemic, reports the Times of Israel with reference to “multiple reports in Arab media.”
The Church was initially closed in March. Restrictions initially last one week, but the Church ended up being closed for two months.
However, both Israeli and Palestinian leadership are now adopting new, stricter measures in an attempt to curb a second, bigger wave of mass infections.
It is unclear how long the Holy Sepulchre will remain closed this time or whether services will continue behind closed doors.
The Palestinian West Bank experienced its deadliest day since the start of the pandemic on Friday, with 5 deaths and 331 new cases. Israel’s Health Ministry reported 1,684 new cases on Friday—the highest daily total since the start of the pandemic.
Source: Orthochristian.com
Unwavering support of Church of Greece for Ecumenical Patriarchate
14. July 2020 - 9:52
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and all Greece contacted Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Sunday.
The Archbishop expressed the full solidarity and unwavering support of the Church of Greece for the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Encyclical from Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Holy Eparchial Synod on Hagia Sophia
14. July 2020 - 9:50
Holy Wisdom, Arise! – Ἁγία Σοφία, Ὀρθοί!
To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
Statement on the Tragic Conversion of Hagia Sophia from Museum to Mosque
11. July 2020 - 22:37
We, the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, protest the decision of the civil courts in Turkey, as well as the clear direction of their government, to re-convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque. As citizens of the United States of America, we implore our government to intervene for the reversal of this decision. Furthermore, we urge the Turkish government to return to the status quo whereby Hagia Sophia remains a museum, respecting both its origins and history.
Russian Orthodox Church about Hagia Sophia: We regret that our concern has not been heard
11. July 2020 - 0:41
The Russian Orthodox Church expresses regret that its concern, like that of other Orthodox churches, about the prospect of converting Hagia Sophia in Constantinople from a museum into a mosque, has not been heard by the Turkish authorities.
The above statement was made by the chairman of the Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media of the Patriarchate of Moscow, Vladimir Legoyda.
Diocese of Australia & New Zealand builds first Romanian Orthodox Monastery in southern hemisphere
10. July 2020 - 15:27
The Romanian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand is carrying out a complex project in the Australian state of Victoria, which includes the first Romanian Orthodox monastery in the southern hemisphere, a social and cultural centre, an episcopal chapel and a church dedicated to the Three Holy Romanian Hierarchs Andrew Șaguna, Gregory the Teacher, and Theodosius of Brazi.
