Culture

Virtual tour of exhibition dedicated to New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia opened on the website of St. Tikhon's Orthodox University

A virtual tour of the exhibition, “Overcoming: the Russian Church and the Soviet government” has opened on the website of the St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University of Humanities. The largest exposition, dedicated to the persecution of the Church during the Soviet era, became available to internet users ahead of the completion of restoration of the Moscow diocesan house in Likhov Lane Moscow.

Over the two month since it was opened, more than 7,000 people attended the exhibition in memory of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, organized by St. Tikhon’s University in the winter of 2012/2013 at the Museum of the Contemporary Russian History. The unique exhibits were collected in various corners of the former Soviet Union, and included the saints’ personal things; various documents reflecting the government’s theomachic policy and the Church’s reaction to it; and items used in the underground liturgical life the existed in labor camps.

Three flavors of Orthodox Christianity in Anchorage

In the past several months I’ve visited four Orthodox churches in Anchorage representing three branches of Orthodox Christianity. The Orthodox faith traces its roots in Christianity back to apostolic (early church) times. Eastern and Western Christianity mutually separated in the 11th century.

Anchorage Orthodox churches represent Greek, Antiochian, and Russian Orthodox. It’s like eating ice cream. You can have many flavors of ice cream, but it’s ice cream nonetheless. I’ll attempt to describe some of the flavors of each in this column.

Postage stamp for 100th Anniversary of Patriarch Pavle to be issued in Serbia

A postage stamp in honor of the 100th anniversary since Serbian Patriarch Pavle’s birth will be issued in Serbia, reports the Serbian Patriarchate’s official website.

The decision to issue the anniversary stamp was made by the Serbian Government on July 25 this year. The stamp in honour of Patriarch Pavle will be issued and put into circulation on September 11, 2014 (his birthday) together with a matching envelope.

The launch of this stamp will take place in October this year at the Post, Telephone and Telegraph Museum in Belgrade.

When the Serbian flag flew over the White House

On July 28, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson gave the following message to the American people. It was read in churches throughout the country and published in virtually all major newspapers. The Serbian flag was raised over the White House and all public buildings in the nation's capital. The message read:

To the People of the United States:

On Sunday, 28th of this present month, will occur the fourth anniversary of the day when the gallant people of Serbia, rather than submit to the studied and ignoble exactions of a prearranged foe, were called upon by the war declaration of Austria-Hungary to defend their territory and their homes against an enemy bent on their destruction. Nobly did they respond. So valiantly and courageously did they oppose the forces of a country ten times greater in population and resources that it was only after they had thrice driven the Austrians back and Germany and Bulgaria had come to the aid of Austria that they were compelled to retreat into Albania. While their territory has been devastated and their homes despoiled, the spirit of the Serbian people has not been broken. Though overwhelmed by superior forces, their love of freedom remains unabated. Brutal force has left unaffected their firm determination to sacrifice everything for liberty and independence.

New exhibition on Healing in Jerusalem’s David’s Tower

When you combine ancient medicines, miracles and faith – you get a fascinating remedy in the form of the new exhibition now on display at the Tower of DavidL Jerusalem: A Medical Diagnosis. With a view of Jerusalem through the lens of medicine and faith, the exhibit curated by Dr. Nirit Shalev-Khalifa, takes a look at the constant human struggle of a healthy life through the unique context of the holy city of Jerusalem.

Rare Seal of St. Sabas Discovered in Jerusalem

An extremely rare seal of the Monastery of St. Sabas dated from the the Crusader period was discovered during excavations in Jerusalem. Unearthed a year and a half ago it was only now identified as a unique seal stamped by the laura – the Monastery of St. Sabas. The 800 year old seal bears a Greek inscription and the obverse side carries a figure. Dr. Robert Kool of the Israel Antiquities Authority conducted the examination of the seal and Prof. Jean-Claude Cheynet of France identified it as a seal stamped by the laura – the Monastery of St. Sabas during the Medieval period.