Orthodox Churches

Patriarch Kirill and Barack Obama to foster friendship among Christians of Russia and the USA

Moscow, July 8 - Dialogue between the Christian populations of Russia and the United States is important for the development of relations between the two countries, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said at a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Moscow on Tuesday.

Russian Patriarch urges foreign religious organizations to respect Russian laws

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has reminded foreign religious organizations active in Russia how important it is to demonstrate respect for the legislation of the country. "It is extremely important that religious organizations coming to Russia abide by Russian laws and see that their activities will not create difficulties for public life, or provoke ethnic tensions," Patriarch Kirill said at a press briefing after talks with the head of the Turkish Religious Directorate Ali Bardakoglu in Ankara.

Patriarch Kirill has consecrated the first Russian church in Turkey

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has consecrated a church of Sts Konstantin and Elena on Monday in summer residence of Russian consulate in a place of Buyukdere near Istanbul. According to correspondent of Interfax-Religion, members of the Russian Church delegation accompanying Patriarch in the trip to Turkey have taken part in consecration and in the subsequent Divine Liturgy. The chorus of the Moscow Sretensky monastery sang during the service, and some employees of Russian embassy also assisted on the Liturgy.

New Grant Broadens Romanian Orthodox Church's Social Services

International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC] is launching a new program to increase the capacity of the Romanian Orthodox Church to more effectively help Romanian communities achieve economic sustainability and overcome severe social issues. The new program is made possible through a .6 million grant from the Romanian Ministry of Labor, Family and Equal Opportunity and the European Union.

Romania, one of the newest members of the European Union, has tremendous human and natural resources, though it lags far behind the rest of Europe in jobs and income level. Access to health care is inadequate in many rural areas. The two-year program will help the Church become a key player in providing social services and in creating new jobs and improving education and health care.

Archimandrite Melchisedek [Pleska] consecrated Bishop of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania

On Saturday, June 27, 2009, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah and the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America consecrated Archimandrite Melchisedek [Pleska] Bishop of Pittsburgh and the Diocese of Western Pennsylvania at Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Allison Park, PA.

The Consecration was preceded on Friday evening, June 26, with the Rite of Nomination and Proclamation, also held at the cathedral.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan D. Williams: An Opportunity for Turkey is the School of Halki

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan D. Williams visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate for three days and had meetings with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Committee on Inter-Christian Relations. He also visited the Theological School of Halki and attended the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George.