Orthodox Churches

Great jubilee in Christchurch

On Sunday, 15 December 2013, the church of Saint Nicholas of Myra of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand celebrated the 50^th anniversary.

His Grace Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand served the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the concelebration of the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia from New Zealand. Also deacon Vladimir Filipovic, priest of the Metropolitanate of Australia-New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church who lives in Christchurch concelebrated to the Bishop.

Patriarch Kirill chairs Moscow diocesan assembly

An annual Moscow diocesan assembly began its work at the Christ the Saviour’s Cathedral’s hall of church councils, chaired by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia as ruling bishop of the capital city.

Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas Eve

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks one of the biggest holidays – the Christmas Eve on Tuesday. Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day, a widely celebrated holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. It is a culturally significant celebration for most of the Western world and is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas. In Western culture, Christmas Eve is celebrated on December 24. 

Bulgarian Church: Metropolitan of Varna and Veliki Preslav elected

Bulgarian Patriarch Neofit has announced that Znepol Bishop Yoan (John) has been elected Varna and Veliki Preslav Metropolitan.

He has collected 9 votes, while 3 votes have been cast for Melnik Bishop Seraphim.

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held Sunday a meeting to elect a Metropolitan of Varna among these two top runners for the post.

Metropolitan Hilarion meets with Cardinal Kurt Koch

On 17^th December 2013, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for Promoting Christian Unity (DECR), met with Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

They discussed cooperation between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Roman Catholic Church in the Mixed Orthodox-Catholic Theological Commission and in the sphere of culture and students exchange.

Foundation of Chapel of Tsarevich Alexei in Peterhof

 The foundation of the Chapel of Holy Royal Martyr Tsarevich Alexei was laid on December 12 in the Znamenka estate in Peterhof. Rector of the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles Archpriest Alexy Koltsov placed the foundation stone, reports the Voda Zhivaya(Living Water) information agency.