Orthodox Churches

Missionary visit of Pope and Patriarch Theodor II to Holy Metropolis of Irinopolis in Tanzania

His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa is paying a missionary visit tto Tanzania and Burundi from 15th to 27th February 2013.

The Very Reverend Isidoros Salakos of the Alexandrian Throne reposes in the Lord

On 15th February 2013, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, arriving in Dar-es-Salaam, the first stop of his many days missionary visit to Tanzania Burundi and Rwanda,  was shocked to hear of the unexpected death of Isidoros Salakos, Archimandrite of the Alexandrian Throne.

The late Father Isidoros passed away at a hospital in Heliopolis in Cairo, as a result of complications from the wounds he suffered in an automobile accident during his journey to conduct a service last Sunday from the Egyptian capital to Suez.

Statement by His All-Holiness at the announcement of the retirement of Benedict XVI, Pope of Rome

His All-Holiness closely cooperated with Pope Benedict during his papal tenure, issuing joint statements on contemporary problems facing humanity and realizing official exchange visits, but above all resuming in 2007 the conversations of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (established in 1980 and interrupted in 2000). Immediately upon his election, His Holiness Pope Benedict accepted a formal invitation from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to visit the Phanar in November, 2006, on the occasion of the Patronal Feast of the Church of Constantinople. He also invited the Ecumenical Patriarch to deliver the only address by an ecumenical leader during the official celebrations in St. Peter’s Square for the 50^th Anniversary since the opening of the 2^nd Vatican Council in October, 2012. Below is the text of the formal statement by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Epistle of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the Day of Orthodox Youth

Dear Brothers and Sisters! I express my heartfelt congratulations to you on this feast day of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and the Day of Orthodox Youth.

Turning my mind’s eye to the events which led to the establishment of this church holiday, we and Righteous Simeon both joyfully greet the Savior Who was brought to the Temple of Jerusalem. But this event, in addition to its historic significance, has another symbolic meaning: in this we see the mystical meeting of the Creator and His creation, the personal meeting of mankind and God.

St. Mary Magdalene Church in Madrid

On February 7, 2013, Bishop Nestor of Chersonese blessed the first cupola and the cross for St. Mary Magdalene church under construction in Madrid, the website of the Diocese of Chersonese reports.  Present at the service were Russian Ambassador Yu, Korchagin, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, V. Yakunin, President of the Russian Rail-Ways company, V. Chernyshev, director of the Transsoyuz charity, and Carlos Palacio Oriol, president of the Spanish Talgo company, which has confirmed its readiness to support the construction of the church.  

Bishop Panteleimon in Congo

With the paternal prayers and blessing of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, His Grace Panteleimon, Bishop of Brazzaville and Gabon arrived in the city of Pointe Noire, second largest city of the Congo on Friday 8th February 2013. At the International Airport His Grace was welcomed by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Theologos Chrysanthakopoulos, the clergy, local authorities and many faithful.