Orthodox Churches

In Georgia miracles are occurring from The Myrrh-streaming Icon Of St. Gabriel (Urgebadze)

In Georgia many believers are rejoicing at the miracles occurring from the myrrh-streaming icon of Blessed Gabriel, “the Fool-for-Christ”, that belongs to a family in Tbilisi. Numerous people have been healed from this icon, as relates the “Postscript” program on the Rustavi 2 TV channel.

The icon of St. Gabriel First began streaming myrrh seven months ago. It was shown to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II who confirmed this.

Over the last two months, twelve more icons and photographs of elder Gabriel began shedding myrrh in the family which possesses this relic.

Patriarch Kirill Opens 23rd International Educational Christmas Readings

The 23rd International Educational Christmas Readings under the theme ‘Prince Vladimir. Rus’s Civilizational Choice’ were opened in a solemn ceremony at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow. The ceremony and the plenary session were led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

New Report Published on Orthodox Monasteries in the United States

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has published a new report on its website. The report, “Orthodox Monastic Communities in the United States,” is the result of a survey of the 70-plus Orthodox monasteries in the country. According to the Assembly’s site:

Arkhangelsk Diocese opens the virtual museum of the new martyrs

The Arkhangelsk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church has opened the “Virtual museum of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Arkhangelsk land.” The project of the website dedicated to the period of persecution of Christians for their faith in the 1920s-1950s in the north of Russia, won the “Orthodox Initiative 2013-2014” grants competition, reports the Arkhangelsk Diocese’s press service.

The www.arhispovedniki.ru website contains video collections and libraries related to the repressions, archival court cases, card files of those persecuted for their faith, the map of “sorrowful” places, the New Martyrs museum’s exhibits, and the “Ones who endured to the end” exhibition with methodological materials for guides.

Round-Table Conference on ‘The Heritage of Holy Rus’ and Challenges of the Modern World’

On 22 January 2015, the round-table conference on ‘The Heritage of Holy Rus’ and Challenges of the Modern World’ took place at the State Duma of the Russian Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

More than 40% of Russian residents visited holy places at least once in their lives

According to the latest survey carried out by the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion, 41% of Russian residents at least once in their lives have visited holy sites, such as churches with saints’ relics, wonder-working icons as well as holy wells and other places, reports TASS.

According to the respondents, going on pilgrimages, they are prompted, first of all, by faith and a desire to become closer to God (51% of those asked). Others were impelled by grief, the need of help (8%) or urge to pray for forgiveness of their sins (7%). Some people in visiting holy places find an opportunity to broaden their horizons (16% of the respondents).