Orthodox Churches

Advanced courses for bishops and other representatives of Central Asian metropolitan region

On 12 January 2014, the advanced courses for bishops and other representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Central Asian metropolitan region were completed. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the advanced courses were organized by the Ss Syril and Methodius Theological Institute for Post-Graduate Studies in cooperation with the Central Asian metropolitan region.

Nearly 40.000 pilgrims visit Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on Thursday

About 38,000 people came last Thursday to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow to venerate the Gifts of the Magi from Holy Mount Athos, reported the Moscow police's press service to Interfax. No cases of violation of public order have been reported. The Gifts of the Magi are available for veneration in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior daily until January 13 from 08:00 to 22:00. On January 14-17 this shrine can be venerated in the Resurrection Novodevichy Convent in St. Petersburg, on January 18-24, in the House of Mercy in Minsk, and on January 25-30, in the Kiev Caves Lavra in Kiev.

The Archbishop of Canterbury at the Phanar

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His Grace the Most Revd and Rt Honorable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury met at the Phanar, Istanbul from 13th-14th January, 2014, for their first meeting since the Most Revd Justin Welby was enthroned as the Archbishop of Canterbury about one year ago. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of friendship and warmth. Both leaders agreed to focus on the continuation of close relations, the importance of the ongoing theological dialogue, and the commitment of the Anglican Communion and the Orthodox Church to greater cooperation for a common witness in an increasingly secular and pluralistic world, particularly in Europe.

Nativity of Christ in Bejing

A Christmas divine service was held at Beijing’s Dormition church on the night of 6-7 January. The Divine Liturgy was headed by the rector, Rev. Sergiy Voronin, with Igumen Melety (Sokolov), a teacher from the Moscow Theological Academy & Seminary, concelebrating. By invitation of the parish Fr. Melety annually comes to Beijing to assist with Christmas and Paschal divine services.

Christmas in Bethlehem

The feast of Christmas, the ‘Metropolis of all feasts’ according to the Church Fathers, was celebrated by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Tuesday the 25th of December/7th of January 2014, in the city where our Lord Jesus Christ was born by flesh, namely Bethlehem, where lies the magnificent Constantinian Basilica.

The feast began from Monday night, at 22:30 pm, as entrance was made from the gate of the Baptistery and the Matins procession was led by the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda.

Christmas Eve in Bethlehem

On Monday the 24^th of December 2013/6^th of January 2014, Christmas Eve was celebrated by the Patriarchate in Bethlehem in accordance with its ancient order.

In line with the approved schedule, at 9:00 am of the aforementioned day, His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, received the Israeli Police at the Patriarchate’s Hall on the occasion of the feast.