Orthodox Churches

Orthodox Easter celebration in Seychelles

The Orthodox faithful in Seychelles celebrated the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, 15th of April, in a service at the conference room in Berjaya Beau Vallon hotel.

Archbishop Demetrios with a letter to the US Secretary of State Ms. Hilary Clinton, requesting release of Archbishop Jovan

The Archbishop of America of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America with seat in New York, Archbishop Demetrios, sent a letter to the US Secretary of State, Ms. Hilary Clinton, in which he expressed his deep concern regarding the imprisonment of the Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje Jovan, and requested his immediate release.

In his addressing to the US Secretary of State, Ms. Hilary Clinton, Archbishop Demetrios of America points out: “in the name of the 65 Hierarchs who are part of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, I would like to draw Your attention to the truly sad situation in which Archbishop of Ohrid Jovan is found”, and adds: “his arrest has several years long history, from the time when the schismatic church of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia began the persecution of Archbishop Jovan, the canonical Archbishop of Ohrid. The church of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is not recognized by any canonical Orthodox Church in the world, and her constitution by the internal powers is only one more example of action which is contrary to what is right and what is proper, and what is in accordance with the Canonical right of the Orthodox Church across the ecumene.

Patriarch Kirill leads a prayer vigil in defence of faith, profaned shrines, the Church and her good name

On April 22, 2012, the Sunday of St. Thomas, after the liturgy at the Church of Christ the Saviour, a prayer vigil was held at its northern porch in defence of faith, profaned shrines the Church and her good name.

Before the prayer service, the ark with a piece of the Lord’s Robe and a Nail from the Lord’s Cross was brought out of the church together with several shrines which had been subjected to profanation, including the veneration cross from the Cathedral of the Intercession in the city of Nevinnomyssk near Stavropol, icons from the church of St. Prokopius the Righteous in Velikiy Ustyug near Vologda and the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan from the church of St. George the Victorious in Velikiy Ustyug, which had been shoot through by bullets in the 20s of the 20th century.

On the second Sunday of Easter, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrates the Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and officiates at the consecration of Archimandrite Varnava as Bishop of Vyksa

On 22 April 2012, the Sunday of St Thomas, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

During the Liturgy the Patriarch officiated at the consecration of Archimandrite Varnava (Baranov) as Bishop of Vyksa and Pavlovo.

Agape Vespers at the Phanar

On Easter Sunday, April 15, 2012, His All-Holiness presided over the Agape Vespers Service at the Patriarchal Church of St. George.

Resurrection Service at the Phanar

On Sunday, April 15, 2012, thousands of pilgrims participated at the Resurrection Service presided over by His All-Holiness at the Patriarchal Church of St. George.