Orthodox Churches

Orthodoxy in Asia

Orthodox parishes in Asia in services use local languages as well as elements of local culture.

„In China, on Thailand and in Indonesia, for example, local artisans carve iconostasis and candleholders and decorate them with local elements. There is also a tradition to bless tea, while in Thailand the Orthodox people take off shoes before entering the church", said protopresbyter D. Pozdnayev. He emphasized that there exist local details and that they give parishes local colors. However, according to his words, the most important is the translation of the liturgical books and other  religious manuscripts in a local language, what is necessary in order to orthodox tradition to begin to live in the context of the Asian cultures.   

Our brother, South African Orthodox priest Father Johannes repose in Lord

Christ is Risen - Truly He is Risen!

Johannes Matsobane Rakumako was born on 26 November 1968 in Pietersburg, (now known as Polokwane) in what is now the Limpopo province of South Africa, the son of William and Anna Rakumako. He died on 12 April 2011 in Tshwane at the age of 42 years, 4 months and 17 days. He was baptised on 29 July 2001 at St Nicholas, Brixton. He attended the seminary in Nairobi for 1 year until 2002. He was ordained Orthodox priest on 25 July 2004.

Metropolitan Hilarion completes his visit to Tallinn

On 30 April 2011, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations, who visited the capital of Estonia with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, met with Metropolitan Stephanos, head of the church organization of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the country.

Number of Christian in Africa has grown 70 times in last 100 years

According to the research of  Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, in last 111 years he religious landscape of sub-Saharan Africa has changed dramatically. As of 1900, both Muslims and Christians were relatively small minorities in the region. The vast majority of people practiced traditional African religions, while adherents of Christianity and Islam combined made up less than a quarter of the population.

Russian Patriarch about courage of the Japanese

Patriarch Kyrril of Moscow and All Russia expressed an enthusiasm with the people of Japan. "I wish to express my delight how the Japanese people tackled with this accident, very courageous and solidary. We pray that the Japanese people as soon as possible heal this wound", Patriarch said during the meeting with Ambassador of Japan in the Russian Federation, Masaharu Kono in Moscow.

Paris skyline to be remodelled by Russian Orthodox church

Cathedral with five onion domes to be erected next to Eiffel Tower will include cultural centre and public garden

It is one of the most recognisable skylines in the world, featuring one of the most famous monuments.

On the banks of the river Seine, Gustave Eiffel's iron tower, the symbol of France, juts high above the 19th-century Haussmann buildings and the trees of the Champ de Mars park that surround it.

But all this is about to change if the Russians have their way.