Orthodox Churches

Bartholomew I Gives Tribute to Focolare Founder

Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare movement, was not only a gift for the Catholic Church, but also for Orthodox Christians, affirmed Bartholomew I.

The ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople said this Sunday in an address on the first anniversary of the death of the founder, with whom he had a friendship for many years.

Patriarch Kirill urges PACE, UNESCO to give hope to Serbians in Kosovo

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has sent messages to Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) President Luis Maria de Puig and UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura. Patriarch Kirill reminded them that it will be five years on March 17 since the tragic developments in Kosovo and Metochia when radical nationalists started ethnic cleansing against Serbs, which he said resulted in the massive violation of human rights, hundreds of deaths, flows of refugees and the destruction of scores of churches and monasteries in the area.

Patriarch Kirill celebrates 33 years of his service as bishop

Last Saturday, March 14, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill celebrated the 33rd anniversary of his elevation to the rank of bishop by his confessor Metropolitan Nikodim. To commemorate this event, Patriarch Kirill conducted the Divine Liturgy at the Moscow Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Khoroshovo and upon its completion appealed to the clergy to selflessly serve God and people without concerns for health and career.

One more Russian church to open in Thailand

Preparatory works have started in the Thai city of Pattaya, where the Russian Orthodox Church of All Saints is to be erected, the official website of Moscow Patriarchate reports. To cut down big trees growing at the acquired site, permission from the Nature Conservancy was required. Besides, in compliance with the police instructions, the parking area earlier situated here was removed.

Russian Church considers biased the Strasbourg Court ruling on the case of Bulgarian schismatics

The Moscow Patriarchate considers biased the European Court of Human Rights ruling on the case of Bulgarian schismatics and assures full support to the canonic Church of Bulgaria. "It must be noted that the Court's acceptance of the complaint from the so-called "Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church" means implied support of its right to speak on behalf of the canonic Bulgarian Orthodox Church. This only testifies that the court rules in favour of one party in this internal church dispute", Bishop Hilarion of Vienna and Austria said addressing the All-Orthodox Meeting called in Sofia to discuss the above court ruling.

Тheological Faculty of the Serbian Orthodox Church recevies high honor

The Theological Faculty of the Serbian Orthodox Church was the recipient of the highest award of the International Fund of United Orthodox People. This Fund annually awards individuals and institutions for “exceptional contributions in promoting the unity of Orthodox people”. His Holiness Alexy II Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia personally presented the award to the Very Rev. Dr. Vladan Perisic, Faculty Dean, on 21 January 2004. The solemn ceremony took place in the facilities of Christ the Savior Church in Moscow before 4,000 guests. Previously, this prestigious award for 2003 was presented to His Beatitude Peter VII, Patriarch of Alexandria, and to Mr. Dimitris Stephanopoulos, President of Greece.