Orthodox Churches

The Assembly of the Orthodox Youth Association of Albania was held

 About 380 young people, ages 18-30 years old, gathered on Saturday, December 13, 2014, at the Cultural Center of the “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral, in Tirana. The representatives of youth groups from different cities of the country came together for the further development and strengthening of the Orthodox Youth Association of Albania, which has been created in accordance with the Statutes of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania. The Association’s goals are the active participation of youth in the life of the Church, the cultivation of friendships, and a deeper knowledge of the Orthodox faith, Christian witness and service.

Patriarch of Jerusalem addresses guests at an event organized by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism

On Tuesday the 10^th/23^rd of December 2014, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism organized an event which had as guests representatives of Judaism and Christianity. The event was held in celebration of the Hanukah (the rededication of the Temple of Solomon), Christmas and the New Year 2015, at the Mercaz Shimson in Beit Shmuel, West Jerusalem, opposite David’s Gate and the hill of the Holy Sion.

At the event, the Israeli Minister of Tourism, Mr Uzi Landau, and his associates, hosted lunch for the representatives of Christian Churches in Jerusalem, namely the Greek Patriarch, the representative of the Latin Patriarch, the Custodian of the Holy Land, the Ethiopian Patriarch and the Representative of the Lutheran Church. Also in attendance was Mr Cesar Margiye, Head of the Office of Christian Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, representatives of the Police and the Israeli Civil Administration, Ambassadors of states, etc.

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem addresses King of Jordan in Karak

On Wednesday, the 11th/24th of December 2014, the king of Jordan visited the historical city of Karak (ancient Kyriakoupolis) in South Jordan, to meet with subjects of his kingdom, Muslims and Christians alike, on the occasion of Christmas. 

Russia spends €75 mln to build a spiritual center in Paris

It cost €75 mln to buy a land lot for building Russian spiritual and cultural center on Branly Embankment in Paris, the Kommersant daily reports on Monday.

Patriarchal Proclamation of Christmas 2014

+ BARTHOLOMEW
By God's Mercy Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome
and Ecumenical Patriarch

To the Plenitude of the Church:
Grace, mercy, and peace from the Savior Christ, born in Bethlehem
Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,

"Christ is descending from the heavens;
let us meet Him!"

God has appeared on earth and, at the same time, we have seen the perfect mantogether with the inconceivable value of the human person. Today especially, we experience the condition of humanity after the fall, as we daily affirm with the Psalmist that "all have gone stray, they are all alike corrupt; there is none that does good – no, not one!" (Psalm 13.3; Rom. 3.12-13)

Enthronement of Metropolitan Niphon of Pilousion by Patriarch of Alexandria

On Friday 19 December 2014, His Beatitude Theodoros II,Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, conducted at the Cathedral in Port Said the enthronement of His Eminence Niphon Metropolitan of Pilousion. Participants at the enthronement of His Eminence were Their Eminences Gabriel Metropolitan of Leontopolis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, Nikodemos of Memphis, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, as well as His Grace Meletios Bishop of Naukratis, Hegumen of the the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria and His Grace Chrysostomos of Berenice. Present were Representatives of the Coptic, Catholic and Protestant Churches, His Excellency the Ambassador of Cyprus Mr. S. Liasidis, the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Cairo Mrs. L. Komini, the Chargé d’ Affaires of the Greek Embassy in Cairo Mr. G. Papadopoulos, the Consular Harbour Master in Cairo, Mr. E. Poulakakis, the Chairwoman of the Hellenic Community of Port Said Mr. Ch. Theocharous, the Chairmen of the Arabic Speaking Orthodox Christians of Port Said  Mr. S. Issa and of all Egypt Mr. Robert Hosni, as well as the Chairmenof the Communities of Mansura, Damietta, Kantara, Daher and Heliopolis and  many faithful from the Holy Metropolis.