Many Paintings, Icons Burn in Fire

at Grabar Center

Moscow, July 15, Interfax - Several paintings and icons stored on the third floor of the Academician Grabar Russian Art Research and Restoration Center at 17 Radio Street in Moscow have burned in a fire, a policeman told Interfax.

The fire has fully destroyed the third floor. Although the flame is contained, the interior is still ablaze. The firemen are spraying water but they have not put out the fire so far.

The fire alarm at 17 Radio Street sounded at 1:13 p.m. Moscow time, a source at the Moscow Emergency Situations Department told Interfax.

Three Ka-32 helicopters are currently trying to put out the blaze. In all, 248 firemen and 65 pieces of machinery are involved in the operation.

The fire started in the attic and the roof and spread across an area exceeding 1,500 square meters.The fire is rated three on the five-point scale. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry has confirmed the deaths of two firefighters who were putting out a blaze in Moscow.

Source:

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=7475

Court Fines the Forbidden Art 2006 Exhibition Organizers

Moscow, July 12, Interfax - The Tagansky Court in Moscow has ordered former Sakharov Center director Yury Samodurov to pay a 200,000 ruble fine.

The second defendant in the Forbidden Art case, former head of the Tretyakov Gallery's division of contemporary movements, Andrey Yerofeyev, has been ordered by the court to pay 150,000 rubles as a fine, an Interfax correspondent said.

The indictment says that the exhibit displayed works "carrying humiliating and insulting images hostile to the Christian religion and believers." The criminal case against the organizers was initiated according to Article 282 (inciting hatred or enmity).

The defense lawyers of the exhibition organizers have appealed the verdict.

Source:

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=dujour&div=125

Metropolitan Hilarion: Orthodox Rite Is an Integral Part of the Entire Worldview of an Orthodox Believer

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, speaking on 10 July 2010 on the Church and the World TV program, answered questions from numerous viewers concerning the ritual side in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church.

First of all, His Eminence Hilarion pointed to a basic difference between the Western – Protestant and the Eastern – Orthodox perception of the liturgy: ‘The Orthodox rite is an integral part of the entire world perception held by an Orthodox believer and the Orthodox Church. Some Protestant churches in the West are deprived of Christian symbols; there are neither icons, nor crosses. And the liturgy, accordingly, is almost fully devoid of the ritual side as people sing hymns and psalms while the priest reads a sermon and the organ plays. After that all go away. In the Orthodox Church the liturgy is perceived altogether differently: for us it is first of all the participation in the upper world. We believe that the liturgy we celebrate on earth is only part of the divine mystery which continues unceasingly in heaven and we can participate in it as well. During the Divine Liturgy, prayers are lifted up when the priest enters the sanctuary and asks God: “Make this our entrance to be an entrance of holy angels”, that is, angels enter the sanctuary together with the priest. Our liturgy, just as icon, is profoundly symbolic. Hence the development of various rites which can be described as a ‘choreography of the liturgy’ with the bows of the clergy and deacons and incensing. It is a certain synthesis of arts which includes church frescos, irons and church music’.

Asked about the extent in which the church rite can be brought nearer to real life with the purpose making it more intelligible for modern people, the archpastor answered, ‘The ritual aspect of the church life has always developed and continues developing. The liturgy as celebrated today is not quite the same as it was in the 5^thor the 12^thcentury in Byzantium. Many things have remained the same, for instance, prayers, in particular, the Liturgies (which today’s lay people do not hear because they are read by the priest in the sanctuary). But many things have gradually changed: the liturgy lives its own life and there is a certain development going on within it.

‘The ritual aspect of the Church is like the life of man: everything happens in it naturally. Some rites may die out with time, may go out of use to be replaced by new ones. It is very important for the church leadership to see to it that the ritual creativity is not sent self-floating; otherwise there will be different rites in different places, as it is already happening today. This development has nothing bad in itself if the clergy or laity do not invent some rites of their own which claimed to become part of the tradition. Some parishioners take innovations as part of the church statute, though they are in fact amateur products’, His Eminence explained.

He also explained to the viewers where the dividing line runs between the use of rite in Orthodox faith and the belief in rite growing into superstition, ‘Belief in rite is when a person concentrates not on the essence of Orthodox faith but on some purely external sides of church life; when he thinks that to be Orthodox means to jump into an ice hole on the Epiphany Day or to bake Ester cakes and paint eggs on Easter or to go to a cemetery on the Day of the Dead. Such a person does not think about the meaning of being Orthodox which lies in the Orthodox way of life, in building one’s family according to the gospel’s ethical north, in being guided in one’s professional life by the principle of religious life, etc. On the contrary, the belief in rite is when things secondary and accessory come to the fore while the most important and essential things are ignored’.

DECR Communication Service

Source:

http://www.mospat.ru/en/2010/07/14/news21784/

Patriarch Kirill’s Working Meeting with Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians

On July 14, 2010, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia held a working meeting with the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians.

In attendance at the meeting were also Bishop Sergiy of Solnechnogorsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s administrative secretariat, and the leader of the Novo-Nakhichevan and Russian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bishop Ezra’s Nersesian, the Patriarchal Press Service has reported.

They discussed various problems involved in cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

DECR Communication Service

Source:

http://www.mospat.ru/en/2010/07/15/news21897/

Metropolitan Hilarion Visits Monasteries and Churches in Yekaterinburg

On July 14 and 15, 2010, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, who is on a visit to Yekaterinburg with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to participate in the 10^thRussian-German Forum ‘St. Petersburg Dialogue’, visited monasteries and churches in the city. The DECR chairman was accompanied by Archbishop Vikenty of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturie.

On July 14, the archpastors visited the religious education center under the church of All Saints (The Church-on-the-Blood), built on the spot where the czar’s family were executed. Metropolitan Hilarion also visited the church of St. Nicholas of Myra in Licea as well as its museum and library.

Later that day they visited the church of St. John the Baptist, which was the cathedral church in the Soviet time and the only acting church in Yekaterinburg. The DECR chairman inspected the diocesan institutions located next to the church, including the main office of the Soyuz Orthodox TV channel. He had a live-broadcast talk with TV viewers.

Then the guests visited the publication department, the Voskresenie radio studio and the diocesan printing house. His Eminence Hilarion also saw the new building of the Religious Education Center.

From there the archpastors proceeded to the monastery of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers in the Ganina Yama, where the remnants of the Passion-Bearer Nicholas II’s family members were thrown down into a mine and then burnt. Metropolitan Hilarion and Archbishop Vikenty lifted up a prayer at the reverence cross and saw the churches and territory of the monastery.

On July 15, Metropolitan Hilarion, accompanied by Archbishop Vikenty, visited the New Convent of Our Lady of Tikhvin in Yekaterinburg. The abbess Domnika took them on a tour of the convent’s churches, missionary classes and a sewing shop.

DECR Communication Service

Source:

http://www.mospat.ru/en/2010/07/15/news21876/

Ground Blessing Ceremony of the Gevorkian Seminary Gym and Event Center

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,

Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the ground blessing ceremony for the new Gym and Event Center of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary was held on July 11, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Present for the ceremony were members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin and Mr. Sayat Oruncakciel, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bedros and Anna Oruncakciel, of the United States, benefactors of the Center.

During the ceremony, His Holiness blessed the grounds of the new wing, which will serve as the main auditorium and physical education facility for the students of the Gevorkian Seminary. Following the blessing, His Grace Bishop Sahak Mashalian, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary read a commemorative declaration of the construction, which was placed in a sealed container and encased within the foundation of the building.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the Armenian Pontiff extended his message to those in attendance. His Holiness was confident that the addition to the seminary would motivate the students to continue their education with zeal and devotion as future clergyman. His Holiness extended his blessings and gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Bedros and Anna Oruncakciel wishing them vibrancy, continued good health and renewing success in their activities in support of the Nation and Church and service to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of the US as well as to the Homeland.

His Holiness also extended his appreciation to Mr. Jim Torosian, Architect of the building and Mr. Gagik Galstian, President of the Constructors’ Union of the Republic of Armenia.

Source:

http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=3&nid=1600&y=2010&m=6&d=14&lng=en

HIS EXCELLENCY SAAD HARIRI THE PRIME MINISTER OF LEBANON PRESENTS CONDOLENCES TO HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

07/09/2010

On Friday 9 July 2010, in the evening of the day of the funeral of the deceased father of Catholicos Aram I, His Excellency Saad Hariri came to Antelias to present his condolences personally. The visit also provided the opportunity for them to discuss problems, projects and issues related to the internal situation of Lebanon.

Source:

http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/English/visitscatheng.htm#2

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF LEBANON VISITING HIS HOLINESS ARAM I IN ANTELIAS

07/11/2010

On Sunday, 11 July 2010, His Excellency Michel Suleiman, the President of Lebanon visited His Holiness Aram I at the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon. The purpose of this visit was to present to His Holiness in person his condolences for the passing away of his father, whose funeral took place two days ago.

At the meeting next to His Holiness the present were Primate of Lebanon His Grace Arch. Kegham Khatcherian, the members of the Central Committee of the Catholicosate, the Armenian ministers and deputies, as well as the presidents of the Armenian political parties.

The meeting was an occasion also to discuss with the President of Republic issues pertaining to the actual situation in the region in general, and Lebanon in particular. His Holiness Aram I reaffirmed the strong commitment of the Armenian community to strengthening the state of Lebanon with its institutions, as well as deepening the internal unity of Lebanon as a country of coexistence, harmony, and tolerance.

Source:

http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/English/visitscatheng.htm#4

Chairman of the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechization of the UOC Participated in the Festive Arrangements Dedicated to the 95th Anniversary of the Famous Ukrainian Historian Scholar Petro Tronko

At the column hall of the Kyiv city council (Khreshchatyk, 36) the fcholestive session dedicated to honoring of Petro Tymofiyovych Tronko, a famous Ukrainian historian scholar, chairman of the administration of the All-Ukraine Oles Honchar Foundation of Restoration of prominent Monuments of Architectural Historical Heritage, distinguished activist of science and technique of Ukraine, the Hero of Ukraine, academician of the NAS of Ukraine, on the occasion of his 95^th birthday anniversary and the75th anniversary of his public political and scientific activity.

With the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the Primate of the UOC, taking part in the arrangements was chairman of the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechization, Vicar Bishop of the Kyiv Metropolis His Grace Hilary of Makariv. He read out the greetings to the hero of the anniversary and conferred onhim the order of the Holy Hierarch Dymytriy (Tuptalo), Metropolitan of Rostov.

Source:

http://orthodox.org.ua/eng/node/1421

"Church Ready to Compromise for Religious Harmony"-

His Beatitude the Mafriano

Syrian Orthodox Church in India

ALUVA: Syriac Orthodox Church is ready for any compromise to keep up the religious harmony, said His Beatitude Mafriano Baselios Thomas I. His Beatitude was inaugurating the joint Managing Committee and Diocesan Council of Ankamali Diocese at Aluva. Metropolitan of Ankamali Region of the diocese, Mor Severios Abraham presided over. Metropolitans Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Athanasius Elias were present. Regional Secretary Rev. Fr. Varghese Kallappara, Priests Secretary Chor-Episcopos B. John , C Y Varghese, Baby Varghese, Reji C Varkey, and Advocate Jeyby Paul spoke on the occasion.

Churches Hail Court’s Reversal on Remarriage

Egypt’s Coptic, Catholic and Anglican Churches all welcomed a decision by the Supreme Constitutional Court to overturn a previous ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court obliging church authorities to allow Christian divorcees to remarry.

“For the church, marriage is a sacrament that the state has no right to interfere with,” said Coptic pastor Abdel Messieh Bassit.

Catholic Church Spokesman Rev. Rafiq Greish also welcomed the decision, calling for implementation of a proposed personal status law for non-Muslims that would allow civil marriages among Christians.

The court reversal has, however, ignited controversy within judicial circles, with some judges asserting that the Constitutional Court’s verdict represents a direct challenge to the competence of the Administrative Court.

In a related development, MP Georgette Quilliny denied rumors that President Hosni Mubarak had personally intervened to resolve the debate.

“Rumors like this only serve to tarnish the independence of the judiciary,” she said.

Source:

http://www.copts.com/english/?p=4629

Muslims Attempt to Behead Apostate in Egypt

The latest in a string of failed attempts by Muslim fanatics on the life of Egyptian Muslim-born Maher el-Gowhary who publicly converted to Christianity in 2008, took place on Sunday July 5, 2010.

As 57-year-old Maher left his secret lodging, somewhere in metropolitan Cairo with his lawyer, two unknown men on a motorbike, attacked him with daggers. “They were aiming at my neck to behead me,” said Maher in an interview with the newly launched US-based Hope Coptic TV Channel. “Something inspired me to turn and give them my shoulder, instead of facing them, which was lucky.”

He said that he fell to the ground covered in blood. “Had it not been for the interference of passers-by who were unaware of my identity and my efforts to quickly stand up and defend myself, I would have been dead by now,” he said.

During the attack, one of the men shouted the Islamic Jihadi cry of “Allah is Great,” while stabbing him. The attackers called him an infidel, and cursed his Christian faith. Maher said that he was left with heavy wounds, however, he fears seeking medical treatment.

He condemned the negative attitude of the Egyptian authorities and held responsible for the attempts made on his life the religious leaders who call for the killing of others “just for being non-Muslims.”

Shortly after his conversion to Christianity became public, Maher and his 15-year-old daughter Dina, who also converted to Christianity, were forced into hiding. They have been living on the run, changing lodging as frequent as once or twice a month for fear of their identity being discovered. The Fatwa issued by Sheikh Youssef El-Badri calling for the ’shedding of his blood,” caused them to live in constant danger in the face of the reactionaries and advocates for the enforcement of Islamic apostasy laws, which call for the death of a convert.

“We live in constant fear ever since radical shaikhs have called for my blood to be shed because I left Islam. We are mostly afraid of the uneducated people on the street,” Maher said in an interview last week on ZDF German TV. He added that ever since he openly made known his Christian faith, “our future is ruined. We are discriminated against, I do not believe that we will receive justice.” (.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrjqyUQn3_s)

Maher el-Gowhary or Peter Athanasius as he is now called, became acquainted with Christianity through a Coptic Christian room mate when he was a young cadet at the police academy. He converted secretly to Christianity 36 years ago. He married a Muslim woman, the mother of his daughter Dina, who divorced him when she gave up hope that he will give up Christianity. Dina chose to live ‘on the run’ with her Christian father, rather than her Muslim mother.

In August 2008, he filed the second ever lawsuit of a Muslim-born against the Egyptian Government to officially alter his identification documents to reflect his new Christian identity. He lost the case on June 13, 2009. According to the Court ruling, the religious conversion of a Muslim is against Islamic law and poses a threat to the “Public Order” in Egypt. Although the verdict is on appeal, he said this usually takes years before being brought to the courts.

After losing his court case, Maher and Dina tried to leave Egypt, however, they were barred from leaving Egypt and their passports seized at Cairo Airport on September 17, 2009 without any legal reasons. They were told that the order came from a higher authority. Although officially their first destination would have been ‘a holiday in China’ they planned to travel afterwards and seek asylum in the United States. Maher later filed a lawsuit to gain the right to leave Egypt and have their passports returned.

Dina became known after she wrote to President Obama asking for help. It was reported that the el-Gowharys met with the US Committee on International Religious Freedom on their last visit to Egypt in January 2010, and that they have asked for asylum in the United States (Fox News video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USlI07s9l1k&feature=related.

On March 9, 2010, the administrative court, refused to return Maher and Dina’s passports. During a second hearing on June 29, his lawyers fought with each other leading to the judge adjourning the hearing until November 9. “I am so sad,”he said. “Five months postponement is a lifetime for us, the way we live.”

In September 2008, a failed attempt on the life of Maher and another well-known convert to Christianity Mohamad Hegazy was carried out; they were shot at and had to run and seek refuge in the subway station. Young Dina was subjected to an acid attack in April 2010, however, she also escaped unharmed.

Feeling cornered with all the state agencies against him, Maher commented on the latest attempt made on his life saying:” What do I do if I am threatened with death in my own country? I am afraid to go to the police, because instead of getting my rights I may get arrested instead, since I am considered an Apostate.”

Mary Abdelmassih

Source:

http://www.copts.com/english/?p=4638

The Feast Day of the Patron of Physicians Celebrated in Archbishopric of Belgrade-Karlovac

On behalf of His Holiness IRINEJ, Serbian Patriarch, His Grace Vicar Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno served today the Divine Liturgy in the chapel of Sts. Cosmas and Damian at the Clinical Center of Serbia.

His Grace Bishop, in a presence of the adminstration and staff, cut the slava cake and congratulated to the present the Patron's feast day conveying them the blessing of His Holiness IRINEJ, Serbian Patriarch. Bishop reminded the present of the pious life of Sts. Cosmas and Damian who treated the ill with the help of God and not expecting any reward.

After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop went to the side chapel dedicated to Sts. Cosmas and Damian at the hospital of Dr Dragisa Misovic where he cut the slava cake along with pious people and the staff of this hospital.

Source:

http://www.spc.rs/eng/doctors_patrons_feast_day_celebrated_archbishopric_belgradekarlovac

Receptions in Belgrade Patriarchate

15/7/2010

His Holiness Patriarch IRINEJ, Serbian Patriarch received today in the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade His Excellency Monsignor Orlando Antonini, Apostolic nuncio in Belgrade.

His Holiness IRINEJ, Serbian Patriarch met today with Mrs. Vera Matic, the secretary of the Bible Society of Serbia, who presented Tony Crook, Secretary General of the Bible Society, to Serbian First Hierarch.

Source:

http://www.spc.rs/eng/receptions_belgrade_patriarchate_july_15_2010

Bishop Joanikije Served on Remains of an Old Church

Serbian Orthodox Church –

Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral

Few years ago, at a foot of the mountain of Komova, few kilometres from Andrejevica, in the village of Kosutic, remains of an old church were uncovered at the site called Namastir. It is a very old church, which belongs to the oldest churches so far discovered in Polimlje, which do not exist in the area of our diocese. The church was probably from the fifth or sixth century. It is assumed that this was once a seat of the diocese. On July 15, this year, His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic with priests served the Divine Liturgy at the foundations of this church.

Bishop consecrated and cut the slava cake along with a president of the committee for the restoration of this sanctuary Mr. Mileta Djerkovic. After the service, a luncheon of love was prepared.

Source:

http://www.spc.rs/eng/bishop_joanikije_served_remains_old_church

Serbia Gay Groups Want to Meet Patriarch Irinej Seeking to Curb Anti-gay Violence

By The Associated Press (CP)

BELGRADE, Serbia — A Serbian gay group has asked to meet with the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej, to seek his help in curbing anti-gay violence.

The Gay-Lesbian Info Center says in a statement posted on the group's website that gay people "are suffering violence on a daily basis" and that many assailants justify attacks with religious beliefs.

The group says that "therefore the church can play a role in reducing the violence."

There has been no immediate response from the Serbian church, which has considerable influence in conservative Serbia. Church elders have in the past criticized homosexuality.

Serbia also has faced international criticism after a gay pride march was cancelled last year over extremist threats.

Source:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gL7CK0OyhVCTVwbt3Z0xmBaKlSbg

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel Paid a Canonical Visit to the Archdiocese of Sibiu

16-07-2010

The canonical visit that His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church paid to Brasov city, from 10 – 12 July 2010, began with the ceremony for awarding the title of citizen of honour of the city in the heart of the country. Local and county authorities, hierarchs, priests and people of culture of Brasov city attended the event.

Saturday, 10 July 2010, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church was awarded the title of citizen of honour of Brasov city. The distinction was awarded within the framework of the extraordinary session of the Local Council of Brasov and opened the series of events related to the visit the Primate of our church paid to the city at the foot of Tampa Mountains. At the same time, the gesture of the community of Brasov city came as a proof of respect for the care His Beatitude showed to the faithful over here. The ceremony took place at the seat of the City Hall of Brasov, in the presence of the local authorities, such as the prefect of Brasov county, Ion Gontea, the local counselors and the representatives of the main religious cults in the city. Besides His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, some other hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church were also present: His Eminence Laurentiu, Metropolitan of Transylvania, His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Arges and Muscel, and His Eminence Archbishop Ioan of the Diocese of Covasna and Harghita.

In the final speech, the Patriarch of Romania thanked the authorities of Brasov city for the distinction offered: “Today we might say we have a small Europe here, in Brasov, where we spread hope all around through this peaceful living and mutual respect. It is through this peaceful living and friendship that we can implement the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who shows us that the commandment of love for our neighbour is the foundation of the Christian life”, said His Beatitude.

Mayor George Scripcaru awarded His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel the diploma of citizen of honour, a medal and the book “History of Brasov City” by Alexandru Surdu. The Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church offered the City Hall of Brasov an icon of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and a plaque of the insignia of the Romanian Patriarchate.

Presence and Blessing

The same day in the evening, the Patriarch of our Church participated in the Te Deum service that a group of priests and deacons headed by His Grace Andrei Fagarasanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Sibiu, celebrated in the church of the Holy Trinity in Scheii Brasovului, and blessed the construction works of an old people’s home of the parish. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered the church of Brasov a blessing cross made in the workshops of the Romanian Patriarchate, a book on the Nicene – Constantinople Creed and an icon of Jesus Christ, our Lord, for the future old people’s home at this church of Brasov.

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel explained the importance of the social work in parishes: “Today, an old people’s home means a home of hope and dignity. Our degree of civilization, as well as of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, depends on the way we behave towards the old people and children, towards the poor and the sick, towards the people who really need our help, and who ask, in fact, the help of God, but He uses our hands to answer them”.

Sunday, 11 July, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, consecrated the church of “Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen and of Saint Cornelius the Centurion” in Brasov city, assisted by a group of hierarchs, priests and deacons – informs “Lumina” newspaper. The re-consecration of the church of Brasov was the central event of the visit the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church paid to Brasov. The city feast drew over 2,000 faithful, local and county authorities, representatives of some other religious cults and pilgrims from other parts of the country. The re-consecration of the place of worship – as huge as a real Cathedral – took place in a solemn atmosphere with detailed preparations by the parishioners in the Valea Cetatii district of Brasov. Besides the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church also present were His Eminence Laurentiu, Metropolitan of Transylvania, His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Arges and Muscel, His Eminence Ioan of the Diocese of Covasna and Harghita, His Grace Gurie, Bishop of Deva and Hunedoara, His Grace Macarie of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe and His Grace Andrei Fagarasanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Sibiu. We also mention some of the officials present at the event: the mayor of Brasov city, George Scripcaru, prefect of Brasov county, Ion Gontea, and vice-president of the County Council of Brasov, Ion Ochi.

The Sense of the Spiritual Healing

The re-consecration service followed the consecration of the chapel arranged at the semi-basement of the church. His Eminence Calinic, together with His Grace Gurie and His Grace Andrei Fagarasanul, consecrated the chapel, assisted by a group of priests and deacons. After surrounding the church, splashing it with holy water and anointing it with the Holy Great Myrrh, there followed the building of the holy altar and putting the holy relics in the leg of the Holy Table. Then, the painting and altar screen were consecrated and the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the place of worship.

In the sermon delivered at the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the main teachings of the Gospel read on the 7th Sunday after the Pentecost. “The healing of two blind men and of a dumb one shows, first of all, the merciful love of Jesus Christ, our Lord, as well as the deep meaning of the word ‘salvation’, namely getting rid of a hard state, healing of a disease, release from bondage and getting out of danger or trouble”, said His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.

Distinctions for Founders and Benefactors

To end with the Divine Liturgy, parish priest Corneliu Garbacea received the Patriarchal Cross from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, as well as a blessing cross for the church of Brasov. The mayor of Brasov was awarded the Order of “Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen” for the support granted to the Orthodox parishes in the city, while Gheorghe Seghete, founder of the church, was awarded the order of “Sanctus Stefanus Magnus”. The Diploma of Honour was awarded to the members of the Parochial Council, to the architects, engineers and painters who supported the construction works. Rev. Garbacea offered the Patriarch of Romania a beautiful hierarchic epitrachil and a plaque of the church on behalf of the parish. His Eminence Laurentiu thanked His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel for the support and attention paid to the faithful of Brasov city and underlined the fact that the faithful of Transylvania would sustain the projects the Romanian Patriarchate initiated.

The construction of the church dedicated to Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen and to Cornelius the Centurion began in 1990, one year after the parish of Valea Cetatii was set up in the district of the same name. His Eminence Serafim of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan See of the Central and Northern Europe, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Sibiu at the time, laid the foundation stone on 10 June 1990.

Source:

http://www.basilica.ro/en/news/his_beatitude_patriarch_daniel_paid_a_canonical_visit_to_the_archdiocese_of_sibiu.html

THE CALL OF THE FAITH –

Magazine of the Romanian Patriarchate for Christian children and family - No. 8

Issue 8, July-August 2010, of “The Call of the Faith” magazine of the Romanian Patriarchate has just come out. The magazine addresses especially the Christian children and families. The new issue comprises a small dictionary of surnames, information on Saint Emilian from Durostor, and on baby food. Special events in the life of the Romanian Orthodox Church are also presented, such as the awarding of prizes to the winners of the contest “My Creed” by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the celebration of the Sunday of Parents and Children at the Patriarchal Palace, as well as many games and examples for children.

Source:

http://www.basilica.ro/en/ad1/the_call_of_the_faith_magazine_of_the_romanian_patriarchate_for_christian_children_and_family_no_8.html

Participants in Russian-Polish Youth Seminar Visit St. Sergius’ Laura of the Trinity

A Russian-Polish youth seminar took place from July 5 to 7, 2010, in Moscow, under the theme ‘Russia and Poland Today and Tomorrow: A View of the Younger Generation’. It was attended by members of the public, young scientists, students from Russia and Poland, as well as representatives of the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches. The Department for External Church Relations was represented by Hegumen Philip Riabykh, DECR vice-chairman.

On July 6, participants in the seminar visited St. Sergius’ Laura of the Holy Trinity. The Polish guests were taken on a tour of the monastery. They were told about the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh, who laid the foundation of Orthodox monastic tradition in northern Russia, the history of the monastery, its architectural features as well as today’s life of the monastery and the work of the Theological Schools. After the tour the guests visited the church archeology chamber in Moscow Theological Academy to see Old Russian icons and other exhibits.

Madrid, July 12, Interfax - The Madrid administration has allotted a plot of land in a prestigious area in the north of the Spanish capital for the local Russian Orthodox parish to build a church, the parish rector Archpriest Andrey Kordochkin told Interfax-Religion.

A board of trustees formed for the construction project includes Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, a claimant to the headship of the Romanovs Imperial House of Russia, Russian Ambassador to Spain Alexander Kuznetsov, Russian Orthodox clerics, and Russian and Spanish architects.

Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, at a ceremony in March 2009 in which he awarded a symbolic Golden Key to Madrid to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, announced a decision to allot land for building a Russian church in response to a request from the Russian Embassy.

The Russian Parish of the Nativity of Christ was set up in 2003.

The plot is 756 square meters in area.

Moscow, July 5, Interfax - Works to reinstall the icon over the gates of the Moscow Kremlin Nikolskaya Tower will start this Monday.

"The first stage of works consists in removing a layer of plaster covering a metallic grid and bars. They are approximately in ten centimeter distance from the icon," St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation press service told Interfax-Religion on Monday.

The works will take several days, then experts will have to evaluate state of the icon and decide on methods and terms of restoration.

Last Tuesday reinstallation works on the walled-in icon over the gates of the Spasskaya Tower started. In a week time, restorers managed to remove a layer of plaster from the image and dismantled metallic grid and bars.

St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation had initiated the reinstallation of icons over the gates of the Moscow Kremlin towers as far back as in 2007. The project received the government support and the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia.

In April 2010, experts of the Interregional Scientific and Restoration Office made probes of the icon-cases of the Spasskaya and Nikolskaya Towers. The research has confirmed the hypothesis that the icons were preserved under the layer of plaster.

Ancient icons were discovered on the Spasskaya and Nikolskaya Towers of the Kremlin. They were walled in during Soviet times and have been deemed lost for a long time now.

According to the existing historical materials, the Spasskaya Tower houses the icon of the Savior depicted with St. Sergius and St. Varlaam falling down at His feet. The icon was painted to commemorate the rescue from the siege of Moscow by the army of Magmet Girey in 1521. The mural on the Nikolskaya Tower dates back to the late 15th - early 16th centuries. During the civil fights in October 1917, the icon of St. Nikolas of Mozhaysk was riddled with shots, but his face escaped unharmed which the Moscow believers considered a miracle.

A Youth Group of the Russian Church Abroad Headed by Protopriest Andrei Sommer is Making a Pilgrimage to the Holy Sites of Russia’s Capital

A youth group hailing from various dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, headed by Protopriest Andrei Sommer, arrived in Moscow on July 6, 2010. That day, the young worshipers prayed during all-night vigil at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, and visited Red Square. The following morning, the feast day of the Nativity of John the Forerunner, Fr Andrei and the young pilgrims prayed at St John the Forerunner Church in Presna, at which His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia performed the great consecration of this church, which had undergone fundamental restoration of its interior and main structure, and also reconstruction of the central altar table. After the ceremony, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated Divine Liturgy in the renovated church.

On Thursday, July 8, the youth group visited Novodevichy and Sretensky Monasteries in the Russian capital and participated in the celebration of SS Peter and Fevronia of Murom, which is also Russia’s Day of the Family, Love and Devotion.

The young pilgrims are expected to visit other holy sites of Moscow, as well as Holy Transfiguration Solovetsky Stavropighial Monastery.

Ukrainian Orthodox Church Receives Permission for Construction of Resurrection Cathedral

On July 7, at the residence of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church received the Conclusions of the State expertise and the Permission for Construction of the Resurrection Cathedral of the UOC.

The documents were handed to His Beatitude Volodymyr respectively by head of the Central Service of the State Investment Expertise of Ukraine Volodymyr Ampilohov and deputy head of the Department of the State Architectural Construction Control Oleh Bushovskyy.

Expressing gratitude to the heads of the state institutions the Archpastor wished them further fruitful work and marked them with the orders of the Holy Great Martyr George the Trophy-Bearer.

According to Volodymyr Fedorovych Ampilohov, following the comprehensive expertise of the buildings of the Cathedral and its adjoining administrative-economy buildings the respective documents were issues, which marks the full-fledged and legal beginning of the construction of the Cathedral.

On the 60th birthday anniversary of the President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych was conferred on the highest award of the UOC – Distinction of the Primate of the UOC number 001

His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr of Kyiv and All Ukraine extended personal greetings to Victor Yanukovych on his birthday anniversary. His Beatitude offered the President an icon of the Saviour as a present, wished many years of life and God's help in the service to the people of Ukraine. For the services to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and on the occasion of the 60^th birthday anniversary President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych was conferred on the highest award of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - the Distinction of the Primate of the UOC number 001. The resolution to establish such distinction was passed at the last session of the Holy Synod of the UOC.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr Prayerfully Commemorated the 44th anniversary of

His Episcopal Consecration

On July 9, on the holiday the First Hierarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy in concelebration of the host of hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the open air - in the square in front of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Also praying at the service was representative of the Patriarchate of Constantinople Bishop Athenagoras of Sinope. At the divine service the Primate prayed for the repose of the presently reposed hierarchs, who performed episcopal consecration of His Beatitude Volodymyr.

At the end of the Liturgy His Grace Athenagoras greeted Metropolitan Volodymyr on the anniversary of his episcopal consecration and reported the greetings of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

On his part the Archpastor thanked the guest for the greeting words and greeted the clergymen and faithful on commemoration of the Icon of the Mother of God of Tikhvin.

Also at the end of the divine service Metropolitan Volodymyr was greeted by the Prime-Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov.

Source:

The Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate informs us:

From 6 – 7 July 2010, the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was held at the Patriarchal Residence under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel

We mention some of the decisions taken:
- Proclamation of the year 2011 as Homage Year of the Holy Baptism and of the Holy Wedding in the Romanian Patriarchate in order to strengthen and promote the values of the Christian family;
- The approval of the Social Pastoral Programme for the time of economical crisis proposed by the Romanian Patriarchate in order to aid the aged families with low pensions, the poor families with many children and low income and the poor sick people. The programme will be implemented in every eparchy at the level of the parish, monastery, deanery and eparchial centre by intensifying the social programmes unfolded and by organising new charitable canteens, getting donations of aliments, clothes and other products badly needed as well as money for aiding the disadvantaged social categories;
- Approval of some measures of support for the families of the priests in the poor parishes by setting up pastoral eparchial funds through solidarity contributions;
- The Holy Synod decided to launch a brotherly appeal to brotherly dialogue with the Romanian Church United with Rome (Greek – Catholic) for a common Christian witness in the Romanian contemporary society more and more secularised today, hoping to create a climate of trust and mutual respect between the two Romanian Churches. In this context, the hierarchs of the Holy Synod approved in principle a possible invitation of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Romania. In this sense, the Romanian Patriarchate will estimate the time of the invitation after consulting other factors involved.

The stage of the preparations for the construction of the Cathedral of the Nation’s Salvation was also presented during the synodal meeting. To end with the session, the hierarchs of the Holy Synod participated in the prize awarding ceremony of the winners of the design contest for the Cathedral of the Nation’s Salvation, held in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace. On this occasion, the site www.catedralaneamului.ro was officially launched, dedicated to the Cathedral of the Nation’s Salvation and achieved by the Basilica Press Centre in collaboration with the Department for Church Monuments and Constructions with the support of the IT Service of the Romanian Patriarchate.

Charter of the OCA's Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee Posted

SYOSSET, NY [OCA] -- The Orthodox Church in America's Sexual Misconduct Advisory Committee (SMPAC) held a teleconference on July 6, 2010.

The SMPAC advises the Office of Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations (Office), which is under the authority of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah and coordinated by the Chancellor, Archpriest Alexander Garklavs.

Among other important issues, the SMPAC discussed that there is a misunderstanding as to the purpose of the Committee. Some members of the Church mistakenly believe that the Committee is supposed to investigate complaints of sexual misconduct. The SMPAC is not investigating any current cases or allegations, since that goes beyond its adopted Charter. The Charter had been blessed by His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH and adopted on May 20, 2010. Previously cited in a release on the OCA website on May 27, 2010, the complete text of the Charter appears below.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

CHARTER

The Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee (“Committee”) was created by Metropolitan JONAH on January 28, 2010 to work with and assist the Office of Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations (“Office”). The Committee was initially known as the “Sexual Misconduct Allegations Review Committee.”

The Committee is under the authority of the Metropolitan, and is chaired by the Chancellor of the Church, who is the day-to-day supervisor of the Office. The Committee operates in an advisory capacity only and does not assume any responsibility for the handling of sexual misconduct allegations, because that responsibility properly belongs to the Diocesan Hierarchs and the Office, according to the Policies, Standards, and Procedures on Sexual Misconduct. Committee members are appointed by the Metropolitan.

The complexity of sexual misconduct allegations requires a multi-dimensional awareness of issues and skills in various disciplines, so that allegations of misconduct may be considered from several perspectives -- spiritually, ethically, legally, clinically as well as pastorally. Overlapping and interrelation between these disciplines can best be addressed by a team approach, such as via a standing advisory committee to assist the Metropolitan and the Office.

Archpriest Alexander Garklavs (Chair), Archpriest Eric Tosi, Archpriest Michael Matsko, Archpriest Theodore Bobosh, Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, Dr. Nikita Eike, Mr. James Spencer, Esq.

President Tadic and Vujanovic in A Visit to Cetinje Monastery

As a part of the official visit of the President of Serbia Boris Tadic to Montenegro, presidents of Montenegro and Serbia Filip Vujanovic and Boris Tadic visited today the monastery of Cetinje and kissed the relics of St. Peter of Cetinje, the right hand of St. John the Baptist and the particle of the Holy Cross of God. The two presidents were welcomed in the church courtyard of the Cetinje monastery by monastery brotherhood led by His Eminence Amfilohije Archbishop pf Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral. His Eminence greeted them with a sermon in the monastery church.

Two of them talked about the role of the Church in relations of this two states, and considering that Metropolitan Amfilohije is Locum tenens- Administrator of the Diocese of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija an issue of the problem of the mentioned issue about the problem of the return of the displaced and refugees from Kosovo and Metohija, of which a considerable number was in Montenegro, living in hard conditions and deprivation.

The meeting of the two presidents with Metropolitan was attended by: Ambassador of Serbia Zoran Lutovac, adviser to the President of Serbia Mladjen Djordjevic, advisor to the President of Montenegro Sonja Tomovic Sundic, heugemon of the Cetinje monastery protosyngellos Metodije Ostojic, a dean of the Seminary of St. Peter of Cetinje protopresbyter Gojko Perovic and a secretary of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral protopresbyter Obren Jovanovic.

At the end of the meeting, both state delegations were sent off by the bells of the ancient monastery of Cetinje.

On July 7 by letter, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians confirmed the re-election of His Eminence Archbishop Karekin Bekchian as Primate to the Diocese of Germany of the Armenian Church

On June 27, during annual the Diocesan delegate’s meeting, Archbishop Karekin was re-elected to serve as the Primate.

His Holiness congratulated His Eminence on the occasion of the election asking that the Holy Right Hand of Almighty God protect and assist Archbishop Karekin to continue his mission with spiritual devotion, for the welfare and prosperity of the Armenian Diocese of Germany and the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.

French Senate Delegation Visits Mother See
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On July 9, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received a delegation from the French Senate, led by Senator Serge Lagauche, who are members of the France-Armenia Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group. Senator Lagauche serves as President of the Friendship Group.

Welcoming the first visit of Senator Lagauche to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Pontiff of All Armenians reflected on the close and warm relations between the two nations. His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the French authorities for their careful attention towards the Armenian community, which he witnessed during his Pontifical visit to France.

During the meeting His Holiness discussed the current high levels of cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the French authorities, citing the recent example of the Etchmiadzin Dental Clinic for Children, which is sponsored by the "Bardzunk 5165" French-Armenian charitable organization.

At the conclusion of his remarks the Pontiff of All Armenians wished much success in the strengthening of friendship between Armenia and France.

Senator Lagauche expressed his appreciation to His Holiness for the reception, conveying the best wishes of the delegation members to the Armenian Pontiff. The Senator also reflected on the devotion of the Armenian nation to the Armenian Church which he stated was evident in the Armenian Community of France.

During the meeting they also reflected on the importance of the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide to prevent future atrocities against mankind. They also discussed the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Kharabagh Conflict and the importance of the participation of France in the OSCE Minsk Group.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF LEBANON VISITING HIS HOLINESS ARAM I IN ANTELIAS

His Holiness Visits Most Reverend Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace

LONDON, UK: His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas visited Most Reverend Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Supreme head of Anglican Church of England at Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop on July 08, Thursday. His Holiness was welcomed at the Palace by the Archbishop himself. His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Mor Athanasius Touma Dokkoma, the Patriarchal Vicar for Great Britain. His Holiness thanked Archbishop for his historical visit to the patriarchate few years ago. His Holiness presented the Archbishop a Holy Bible in Syriac.

Addis Ababa:: On 12/7/2010, the Ethiopian Orthodox Twahedo Church Patriarch celebrates his 18^th year of enthronement at Holy trinity cathedral where he iwas enthroned to the patriarchate. The programme started in early in the morning with the divine liturgy. After the liturgy His Holiness takes his place with Archbishops, Church fathers & Government Officials. Various colourful ceremonies were presented. His holiness blessed the people thereafter.

On June 28, the opening ceremony of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Russian Language Laboratory was held in the Vaskenian Theological Academy at Lake Sevan. The language laboratory was founded with the assistance of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church and through the benefaction of Mr. Hrachia Poghosian from Russia.

Following the official opening of the laboratory, Rev. Fr. Gevorg Saroyan, Dean of the Vaskenian Theological Academy gave opening remarks, "The history of the Vaskenian Academy is not a book, but the history of ? soul. This day is another spiritual achievement in the chronicle of our 20 years. Today we face the issue of development of qualified clergy. Clergy who will contribute to the Renaissance of our Christian State with their devotion, faith and love towards the nation. Over the last several years, the Academy has placed great importance on the teaching of the Russian language. This centuries old historical relationship ties the Armenian and Russian nations with spiritual and cultural threads. The opening of the Russian language laboratory is testimony to the good relations between the two countries", he stated in part. He expressed his gratitude to Mr. Karen Mkrtchian, President of the Armenian Community in Saint Petersburg for expanding the Academy library with Theological literature and for providing the best textbooks of the Russian language. Father Gevorg also expressed his appreciation to Mr. Hrachia Poghosian, representative from the Armenian Community of Saint Petersburg for furnishing the linguistic laboratory and providing proper technical equipment. Father Gevorg also reflected on the establishment of cooperation in spiritual education between the Vaskenian and St. Petersburg academies.

Bishop Ambrose, Dean of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy addressed those present, "Glory to God that I have the opportunity to participate in this festive ceremony of the opening of the language laboratory, and share this joy with those present. This event is witness to the atmosphere of warmth and friendship that exists between the two nations and Churches, and the decades-old cooperation between our two educational institutions. This bond is further evident by the numerous clergy, who after graduation from the Vaskenian and Gevorkian Seminaries, continue their education in our country and serve in different departments, parishes and Dioceses of the Armenian Church". He also reflected on the difficulties of the past and the excellent conditions of the present. According to the Bishop, the technical equipment in the laboratory will provide an opportunity to the students to follow the theological lectures of the St. Petersburg Academy. He also extended the greetings and best wishes of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Mr. Karen Mkrtchian, President of the Regional national-Cultural Community of Saint Petersburg and benefactor Hrachia Poghosian also spoke, both expressing their sincere feelings on the occasion of the opening. At the conclusion of the ceremony the choir of the Academy gave a brief musical performance.

With the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians training classes will be held for over 130 teachers of Diocesan Sunday schools of the Armenian Apostolic Church from July 6-10, in the Writers’ Union Lodge in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia. The training course has been organized by the Christian Education Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with the support of World Vision International of Armenia.

During the training, participants will be introduced to a new teaching program for Sunday schools. Clergy of the Armenian Church and trainers will deliver course lectures. With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Arakel Kharamian, Primate of the Kotayk Diocese, the teachers will participate in the Morning and Evening Services offered in the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator of Kecharis, and a Divine Liturgy of Oath will be celebrated at the conclusion of the classes.

Serbian Orthodox Church Is A Support to Serbian Diaspora

Patriarch IRINEJ made a reception for delegates of the Assembly of the Diaspora and the Serbs in the region and gave them a blessing. In the St. Sava Cathedral, Patriarch served a pontifical liturgy, attended by the representatives of the diaspora to whom he said not to forget their roots.

In the parish house of the St. Sava Memorial Cathedral in Vracar, Serbian Patriarch IRINEJ talked with representatives of the diaspora and said to them not to forget their origin and roots, and to revive, strengthen and maintain the relationship with the mother country.

Minister for Diaspora Srdjan Sreckovic thanked Patriarch IRINEJ for blessing the work of the Assembly of the Diaspora and the Serbs in the region and said that in this way an important message was sent that the state and the church in the future would work together to preserve the cultural, linguistic and religious identity.

He said that the church and the state were separated, yet together , as they existed for the people.

According to him, the Serbian Orthodox Church has long been a uniting factor and the fulcrum of the whole nation and in those times when the state did not regarded the diaspora as a partner and an ally, but as a kind of an opponent.

Gvozdenovic emphasized that the role of that assembly was in the legislative and institutional framework and must be based on mutual respect and appreciation and added that the Assembly of the Diaspora and the Serbs in the region could do many things and it was up to it to form a strategy and create a mutual plan of further activities.

Patriarch IRINEJ served this morning the liturgy in the St. Sava Cathedral in a presence of the delegates of the Assembly of the Diaspora and the Serbs in the region, which had been founded in the yesterday's constitutive session.

In Memoriam: His Eminence, Metropolitan John of Nicaea, Former Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland

TURKU, FINLAND [OCA] -- His Eminence, Metropolitan John of Nicaea, retired former Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland, fell asleep in the Lord here on July 1, 2010.

A convert to Orthodox Christianity, Metropolitan John served as the Primate of the Autonomous Finnish Church from 1987 until his voluntary resignation in 2001, at which time he was named Metropolitan of Nicaea, a titular See of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Born John Wilho Rinne in Turku, Finland on August 16, 1923, he received a doctorate in theology from Finland's Abo Akademi University in 1966. He completed studies in canon law at the University of Thessaloniki in 1971. He received monastic tonsure at the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian on the Island of Patmos in 1967. Following his ordination to the diaconate and priesthood at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he was consecrated Bishop of Lapland, Auxiliary to the Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland, in 1969. Three years later he was appointed Metropolitan of Helsinki, a position he held until 1987.

Metropolitan John's ministry was unique. Multilingual, he was a theologian, translator, author, and internationally renowned expert in canon law. He also participated in various ecumenical endeavors. He received numerous Church and civil awards. While his views were often criticized, he will be remembered by the Finnish faithful as "a caring and respected shepherd," according to the web site of the Orthodox Church in Finland at www.ort.fi.

His Holiness will consecrate Mor Gabriel Syriac Orthodox Church, Mount Lebanon

KESRWAN, MOUNT LEBANON: His Holiness the Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas will celebrate the consecration of the Mor Gabriel Church and the Syriac Center in Ajaltoun – Kesrwan – Mount Lebanon on August 8, 2010. It is a pioneer center in the Syrian orthodox church of Antioch, and one of the most important projects of the Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon. It stands in the town of Ajaltoun, the capital city of Kesrwan and is 15 km away from the coastal city of Jounieh and 30 km to the north away from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, admits most of the villages and towns in the mountain. Anyone going up the mountains or down to the coast passes through this town –Ajaltoun- the center is 50 m away from the highway.

The overall area of the land is 3600 m2 and the built area is around 28000 m2. It is composed of many buildings in 8 stories: 3 underground floors and 5 above the ground. The lower stories are halls and parking lots and storage rooms, used for different purposes while the upper stories include the big church and reception halls, gathering rooms, learning and training rooms and bedrooms. There are seven halls on the different floors for information gatherings, meetings, conferences, researches and church studies, educational, social, ecumenical and national activities, especially the meetings for religious dialogues (Christian-Christian and Christian-Muslim) and general activities about issues like ecumenical work, human rights, justice and peace, woman, youth and children, people with special needs and handicapped (disabled), and so on…that falls within the activities and specialization of the world council of churches (WCC) and the middle east council of churches (MECC) and other organizations.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court on Wednesday temporarily suspended a court order forcing the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church to allow Coptic divorcees to remarry.

In May, the country’s High Administrative Court upheld a ruling that said two divorced Coptic men could take new wives despite church rules that limit remarriage to certain cases, such as when adultery is involved.

The case provoked fierce resistance from Pope Shenouda, the leader of Egypt’s Copts, and complaints that the court was undermining the Church’s ability to keep sway over its flock in Muslim-majority Egypt.

Farouq Sultan, the head of the constitutional court, ordered that the administrative court’s ruling be suspended until a final decision was reached on a claim filed by Shenouda.

The Coptic leader said the administrative court’s decision contradicted a 2008 criminal court ruling which dismissed a case brought against Shenouda by a divorcee angered that he had been prevented from remarrying.

The Constitutional Court could take years to make a final decision on the claim, legal sources said.

Christians, mostly Orthodox Copts, make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s 78 million people. Many Christians grumble about discrimination, although some Christians have risen to ministerial rank or are top business executives.

Supporting the construction of churches in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories is equivalent to backing Armenian separatism, Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Religious Associations Hidayat Orujov told media today. The Holy Virgin Protection Russian Orthodox Church is currently being built in Nagorno Karabakh.

Orujev added that it is illegal to build a church in the occupied territories without Azerbaijan’s permission. The foundation-laying ceremony was held June 19.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the United States – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.

On July 6, at his residence, His Beatitude Christopher, Archbishop of Prague, Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, awarded Mr. Dmitry Malyshev, adviser to the chairman of Gazprom Neft’s board, and Mr. Igor Vozykov, a well-known sponsor and former top manager of the Transneft company, the highest church order – the Grand Order of Sts Cyril and Methodius, in recognition of their support for the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia and financial contribution to the painting of murals in the cathedral of the Michalovcie and Kosica diocese.

At approximately midnight of July 4, 2010, His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany and His Grace Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart, returning to the Monastery of St Job of Pochaev in Munich-Obermenzig from a visit to the Women’s Skete in Buchendorf, were involved in an auto accident in Bavaria.

Upon entering the A8 highway between Stuttgart and Munich, the BMW carrying the hierarchs was hit from behind by a car driven by a drunk driver who had been celebrating Germany’s victory over Argentina in the World Cup games in South Africa.
Vladyka Mark, sitting in the back seat, and the driver, suffered no injuries, but Vladyka Agapit, who was sitting beside the driver, suffered injuries to the back and neck.
“The back of his seat was broken and flew back, so this was a strong collision, said Vladyka Mark. “The back of the car was crumpled like an accordion and is beyond repair.”

That night, the hierarchs were examined by doctors at Dritter Orden Hospital in Munich. Vladyka Agapit was treated and released. Later that night they returned to St Job Monastery.

As a result of this accident, however, Vladyka Agapit must postpone his planned July 5 trip to the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, where he was to serve on a temporary basis.

Divine Services Are Held in the Residence of St John (Maximovich) at St Nicholas Cathedral, Where He Died in 1966

There is a chapel now in the former residence of St John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco at St Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, WA, where the saint died in 1966 while accompanying the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora. On the feast day of the saint, Saturday, July 3, Protopriest Alexei Kotar, the Senior Priest of the Cathedral, celebrated Divine Liturgy here along with the Cathedral’s other clergymen.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr met with President of the Synod of the German Evangelic Lutheran Church of Ukraine Pastor Andrew Hamburg

On June 30 at the residence of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church a meeting was held of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr of Kyiv and All Ukraine with President of the Synod of the German Evangelic Lutheran Church of Ukraine Pastor Andrew Hamburg.

During the meeting the issues of bilateral relations were discussed. In particular, pastor Andrew Hamburg is a deputy chairman of the group “Reconciliation in Europe – the Churches’ task in Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Germany”. The aim of the group is seeking the ways of interaction of the Christian churches in solving topical social issues in Eastern and Central Europe. Now the group in engaged in preparation of the international conference for the migration problems in modern Europe.
Taking part in the work of Reconciliation group is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Pastor Andrew told His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr of the group’s initiatives and asked for his prayers for successful realization of these initiatives. His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr thanked pastor Andrew Hamburg for his visit and wished God’s help in carrying out of important social projects.

Taking part in the meeting also were the official representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Reconciliation group associate professor of the Kyiv Theological Academy Volodymyr Bureha and secretary for the Department for External Church Relations of the UOC archpriest Mykolai Danylevych.

On July 1, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at his metropolitan’s residence at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra met with director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) doctor Francis Gurry, who was on a visit to Kyiv on these days at the invitation of the Ukrainian government.

Accompanying the high guest at the Kyiv Caves Monastery was Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Dmytro Tabachnyk.

In the course of meeting Mr. Francis Gurry told His Beatitude of the work of the organization he heads, whose headquarters is located in Geneva, the capital of Switzerland, where metropolitan Volodymyr had worked for a few years as Patriarchal Exarch of West Europe.

Also the high guest shared his impressions of staying in Kyiv and thanked the First Hierarch for the possibility of visiting the great shrine – the Kyiv Caves Monastery. To his opinion the visit to Lavra was the most important event during his stay in Ukraine.
At the end, the parties exchanged keepsake gifts.

Reference. Doctor Francis Gurry started his activity in the domain of intellectual property (IP) in 1985 at the post of the specialist of the Bureau for Cooperation in the Branch of Development and External Relations for the Countries of Asia and Pacific Ocean region. Starting from 1997 he held post of the counsel to Director General, and starting from 2003 he became his deputy. In autumn 2008 he was appointed Director General of WIPO.

WIPO is a specialized establishment of the UN, whose aim is to promote protection of the intellectual property all over the world by means of securing cooperation between the states and through the multilateral agreements of administrative rule, regulating legal and administrative aspects of the Intellectual Property.

On July 3 His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr performed consecration of the Church in the name of the Holy Trinity located in the very center of Berdyansk.

Concelebrating to His Beatitude were His Grace Yelisey, Bishop of Berdyansk and Prymorsk, His Grace Alexander, Bishop of Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyy and the diocesan clergy.

Praying at the divine service also was the wife of the President of Ukraine Liudmyla Yanukovych.

The Holy Trinity Church could not contain all those willing to attend the divine service. Numerous worshippers prayerfully participated in the Divine service due to the broadcasting from the church.

Upon completion of the Divine Liturgy the Primate marked with church awards those who worked especially hard for the good deed of construction of a new church.

“The church is a place consecrated in a special way and dedicated to God, the place of the special presence of His grace. It is the place where we meet God, His Virgin Mother His holy angels and the holy God-pleasers. There our communal prayers, communal thanksgivings and personal secret words, born in the corners of our hearts are lifted up. Here we bring our sorrows and our pains, since we realize our weakness and the depth of our sins. Here in the church man can find consolation; get purified through penance and Holy Communion.

The church of God is a place of the special mysterious presence of God among us and with us. Therefore we are to value it and know that the most sacred place on the earth is the church of God. Here a true spiritual feast is being performed at every divine service. Here all the history of our salvation is taking place. That is why we love so much our orthodox churches and construct the new ones.

The Holy Trinity Church that we have consecrated today also bears a seal of grace, abundantly sent by the Lord for our benefit, in order to stay with us. May the one who will cross the doorstep of this church get the God’s blessing and the gift of the Holy Spirit. May the mercy of God will rest on this city, on you and on everyone visiting this church”.

In his response Bishop Yelisey of Berdyansk and Prymorsk has once again thanked His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr for his visit to the Diocese of Berdyansk.

As a prayerful remembrance of the visit and the divine service celebrated, archpriest Oleh Nikolayev, rector of the church offered the UOC Primate as a gift the icon of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Berdyansk.

On July 3 in the evening His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr called to the churches of Berdyansk.

This morning, the working session of the Holy Synod began at the Patriarchal Residence, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. To open with the session, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church delivered a spiritual meditation entitled “Episcopal Dignity and Responsibility in the Church”.

While referring to the dignity of the Episcopal service, His Beatitude said: “The dignity of the Episcopal service is holy and great, and its responsibility and difficulties are multiple. In a world in which the sense of holiness and communion are being lost quite fast, the numerous difficulties of the Episcopal service urge us to come close to Christ, the Head of the Church, through prayer, thought and work”.

During the same meditation, the Patriarch of Romania said: “The time of crisis urge us to repentance for everything that was mistake or absent mindedness in our personal life, in the Christian life in general, in the community to which we belong and in the society in which we live. At the same time, any time of crisis urges us to a new beginning, to a renewal of the thought and deed, of the way of thinking and working.”

The Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church showed that the renewal cannot be done in the Romanian Orthodox Church but through the spiritual deepening of the Holy Scripture and of the writings of the Holy Fathers: “In the Orthodox Church no renewal can be genuine and efficient on a long term, unless the renewal of thought and work is based on the spiritual deepening of the Holy Scripture and of the Saints’ lives”, informs TRINITAS Radio station.

The Holy Synod session is being held from 6 – 7 July 2010, at the Patriarchal Residence of Bucharest.

Present for the ceremony were His Grace Bishop Ararat Kaltakjian, Director of the Properties of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; His Grace Bishop Marcos Hovhannisian, Primate of the Diocese of Gegharkunik; His Grace Bishop Sahak Mashalian, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary; His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshian, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Aragatsotn; His Grace Bishop Ambrose of Gatchina, Dean of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, Benefactor Hrachia Poghosian, representatives of the Armenian Community and members of the teaching staff of the Vaskenian Academy.
Following the official opening of the laboratory, Rev. Fr. Gevorg Saroyan, Dean of the Vaskenian Theological Academy gave opening remarks, “The history of the Vaskenian Academy is not a book, but the history of ? soul. This day is another spiritual achievement in the chronicle of our 20 years. Today we face the issue of development of qualified clergy.

Clergy who will contribute to the Renaissance of our Christian State with their devotion, faith and love towards the nation. Over the last several years, the Academy has placed great importance on the teaching of the Russian language. This centuries old historical relationship ties the Armenian and Russian nations with spiritual and cultural threads. The opening of the Russian language laboratory is testimony to the good relations between the two countries”, he stated in part. He expressed his gratitude to Mr. Karen Mkrtchian, President of the Armenian Community in Saint Petersburg for expanding the Academy library with Theological literature and for providing the best textbooks of the Russian language. Father Gevorg also expressed his appreciation to Mr. Hrachia Poghosian, representative from the Armenian Community of Saint Petersburg for furnishing the linguistic laboratory and providing proper technical equipment. Father Gevorg also reflected on the establishment of cooperation in spiritual education between the Vaskenian and St. Petersburg academies.

Bishop Ambrose, Dean of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy addressed those present, “Glory to God that I have the opportunity to participate in this festive ceremony of the opening of the language laboratory, and share this joy with those present. This event is witness to the atmosphere of warmth and friendship that exists between the two nations and Churches, and the decades-old cooperation between our two educational institutions. This bond is further evident by the numerous clergy, who after graduation from the Vaskenian and Gevorkian Seminaries, continue their education in our country and serve in different departments, parishes and Dioceses of the Armenian Church”. He also reflected on the difficulties of the past and the excellent conditions of the present. According to the Bishop, the technical equipment in the laboratory will provide an opportunity to the students to follow the theological lectures of the St. Petersburg Academy. He also extended the greetings and best wishes of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

The president of the Assembly of the Diaspora and the Serbs in the region Slavomir Gvozdenovic said that he was sure that diaspora could at least little help to the mother country, as well as the mother country could help the Serbs in the diaspora to preserve rare Serbian institutions from those educational to those cultural.
Gvozdenovic emphasized that the role of that assembly was in the legislative and institutional framework and must be based on mutual respect and appreciation and added that the Assembly of the Diaspora and the Serbs in the region could do many things and it was up to it to form a strategy and create a mutual plan of further activities.

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kyrill considers that priesthood should do more active missionary work via blogs and social networks. During the meeting with priesthood of the Diocese of Tver, he noticed with regret that ” a level of discussions in the social networks sometimes seems depressed”, and at the same time right there “it forms the mood of people, especially the young”.

In the opinion of the head of the Russian Church, each regency within one diocese should have its own web-site, through which it will spread information on its activities, maintain a dialogue with the authorities and discuss socially relevant and contraversial topics.

ALEPPO, SYRIA: A Colloquium commemorating the life and works of Bar Ebroyo, the famous Syrian polymath and renowned Church father, was held in Aleppo, Syria, July 1 – 4th, 2010. The participants who came from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Turkey and the United States as well as from Lebanon and Syria enjoyed the papers presented at the Colloquium by scholars and specialist in Syriac studies. These contributions, which included fourteen papers that were delivered in seven sessions, discussed the writings of the celebrated scholar and polymath Mor Gregorios Abul- Faraj Bar Ebroyo as a chronicler, grammarian, philosopher, physician, theologian, mystic and as a major contributor to church liturgy and canon law.

Prior to the start of the Colloquium, the new conference facility that had been prepared for the event at the Aleppo Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese was consecrated under the name Bar Ebroyo Centre for Syriac Studies with a special prayer by His Eminence Mor Gregorios Youhanna Ibrahim, Archbishop of Aleppo.

The proceedings also included an opening session in which a letter of blessing from His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East was read. The welcoming address and the first paper of the Colloquium were delivered by Mor Gregorios Youhanna Ibrahim, Archbishop of Aleppo and the host of the Colloquium.
The Colloquium programme included visits to a number of archaeological and historical locations. These included a tomb structure in Sirreen, East of Mabug that contains an old Syriac inscription dating back to 74 AD, the grave of Sulaiman Shah one of the forefathers of the founder of the Ottoman empire, Qalaat Najm (Citadel) on the river Euphrates where Bar Ebroyo was imprisoned by Hulagu when he tried to intercede on behalf of the city of Aleppo and the town of Mabug, the birth place of Theodora, the Syrian Queen, and the seat of Mor Philoxenus of Mabug (+ 523).

1. Metropolitan Mor Gregorios Youhanna Ibrahim (Syria)
2. Pier Giorgio Borbone (Italy)
3. Deena Dinno and Khalid Dinno (Canada)
4. Margherita Farina (Italy)
5. Jean Fathi (France)
6. Jan van Ginkel (Netherlands)
7. Hubert Kaufhold (Germany)
8. Fr. Elias Kesrouani (Lebanon)
9. George Kiraz (USA)
10. Hidemi Takahashi (Japan)
11. Sara Tanoglu and Ishak Tanoglu (Turkey)
12. Herman Teule (Belgium)
13. Fr. Baby Varghese (India)
14. Dorothea Wetecke (Germany)

Garima Gospels, possibly among earliest surviving illustrated Christian manuscripts, preserved by Anglo-French team working at remote monastery.

Legend has it they were created in a day after God intervened to delay the sunset. Today, a British charity revealed how it had worked to save the Garima Gospels and set out evidence suggesting they may form one of the earliest surviving illustrated Christian manuscripts.

Kept at the remote monastery of Abuna Garima in northern Ethiopia, the two volumes had become fragile. But an Anglo-French team of specialists sponsored by the Ethiopian Heritage Fund travelled there to preserve them.

The gospels are named after Abba Garima, a monk who arrived in Ethiopia in the fifth century. The story goes that, with God’s assistance, he copied the four gospels in a day. In the 1960s specialists studied them and concluded they were created around 1100. Later, however, a French specialist in Ethiopian art took two fragments to Oxford and one was dated to the fifth century.

But the gospels were in poor condition. An Anglo-French team was put together, including Gloucestershire bookbinder and manuscript conservator Lester Capon, who described how his breath was taken away when he saw the “beautifully bright colours” of the illuminated pages. “I’d seen photos when I was preparing for this work, but seeing this book in real life was astonishing. It was big – you could fell an ox with it – it was beautiful, the colours were vibrant. But the condition was poor. It had the look of a burst mattress.”

He set up his “bindery” in the monastery courtyard, which attracted the attention of monkeys. “I kept an eye on them as I was fearful that one may jump down from the roof, grab a folio, scrunch it up and run off down the hill.”

The team only had time to conserve the illuminated pages. Blair Priday, of the London-based Ethiopian Heritage Fund, said the story of the gospels was “magical”, with nobody knowing where fact and fiction met.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew says he has a promise from the prime minister and Turkish authorities that the Halki seminary will reopen next year. He says he has been asked many times why he has not moved the patriarchate outside of Turkey to serve under better conditions. ‘As Turkish citizens, we are loyal, we love our country and we don’t want to leave’

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew has expressed optimism that Turkey will next year reopen a historic seminary that was shut down nearly four decades ago.

The Greek Orthodox seminary, located on Heybeliada island off Istanbul, was a main center of theological education for more than a century before Turkish authorities closed it in 1971 under a law designed to bring universities under state control. The European Union has long asked Turkey to reopen the seminary to prove its commitment to human rights as it strives to become a member of the 27-nation bloc.

“We are optimistic that our government will reopen the school next year at the latest after nearly half a century has passed since the school closed in 1971,” Bartholomew told members of the Greek Orthodox community following a religious sermon at a small chapel next to the Halki seminary on Sunday.

“We have the promise of Prime Minister Erdogan, the minister of education [Nimet Çubukçu] and Mr. Egemen Bagis, the chief negotiator for EU talks, who have told us repeatedly that there is no legal obstacle to reopening the school,” said Bartholomew.

The government, keen to boost its bid to join the EU, has in recent years taken steps to improve the rights of its non-Muslim minorities but has so far refrained from any move on the seminary. Still, there have been positive signals that the government will reopen the school, as it has been working on a formula to bring it in line with the existing university system in Turkey. Yet it remains to be seen if Ankara will be able to open it next year during election times.

Bartholomew said the school – when it functioned before “unfortunately the authorities of our country closed it down” – served not only the needs of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate but also the needs of other Christian Orthodox churches.

“The ecumenical dialogue is one of the priorities of the ecumenical patriarchate and human beings all over the world, because those who completed their education at the school not only served in Greece but in many countries around the world where they were sent by the church,” said Bartholomew. Turkish authorities do not recognize the Greek Orthodox patriarch as “ecumenical,” regarding him merely as the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in Turkey.

“We have been here as an institution for 1,700 years and this is a great privilege for Turkey,” said Bartholomew. He then shared an interesting anecdote from his recent meeting with the former prime minister of Canada.

“As Turkish citizens we are loyal, we love our country and we don’t want to leave, because I am asked many times,” he said.

“And only a few days ago I was asked by the former prime minister of Canada who last Tuesday visited the ecumenical patriarchate, which is our headquarters, and when we had a cup of coffee in my office, he asked me, ‘Do you think you will leave this country some day sooner or later and go somewhere else’ in order to serve the ecumenical mission under better conditions? I said, ‘No, we have never thought about this. We don’t accept this possibility. We want to stay here because our legacy is here. Our roots are here. In the last analysis, we love our country.’”

“We pray for the entrance of Turkey into the EU, the European family,” he said. “Wherever I go internationally, I support it wholeheartedly … because we do believe that Turkey is a part of Europe.”

At the Expo, the Chinese authorities allow the Orthodox community to celebrate regular prayer services. Local communist officials also present at the ceremony commemorating the saint, who reunited the Orthodox community in the early thirties.

Shanghai – The small Chinese Orthodox community have celebrated St. John of Shanghai with a “moleben,” a solemn liturgy. The ceremony was chaired by Archpriest Alexei Kiselevich, rector of the Orthodox community of the metropolis, in the church of St. Nicholas.

Many foreign faithful in town to visit the Expo also took part in the moleben, as well as local government representatives. In fact the authorities allowed the Orthodox to hold regular prayer services during the universal exhibition. During the year, however, the Orthodox Church is normally under strict control: regular celebrations take place only within the Russian embassy. The Orthodox Church is not among the five religions recognized by the government.

The Russian Orthodox Church arrived in China about 300 years ago. The first communities were made up of Russian emigrants and resided mainly in the north. Even now the majority of believers are of Russian descent. They are located in four parts of the country: in Heilongjiang, Harbin, where there is a parish dedicated to the Protective Cloak of the Mother of God in Inner Mongolia (Labdarin) in Xinjiang (in Kulj and Urumqi).

The Cultural Revolution wiped out the presence of bishops and priests. Even today, the faithful have no priest, and they gather to pray only occasionally on Sundays. However, there are 13 Chinese students studying at the Orthodox Sretenskaya Theological Academy of Moscow and the Academy of St. Petersburg. For large celebrations at Christmas and Easter there are Russian priests who celebrate the liturgies, but within the territory of the embassy or consulates.

The Chinese Orthodox Church has a separate jurisdiction, but the Patriarchate of Moscow and Constantinople are trying to entice it into their orbit. Metropolitan Nektarios, based in Hong Kong depends on the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Here many publications for the faithful in China are printed and he has often stressed the need for greater religious freedom.

In fact St. John of Shanghai was a champion of religious freedom. Born in Ukraine in 1896, he arrived in China in 1934 after being consecrated bishop. Here he met the Orthodox community, divided on ethnic grounds, and completed the construction of the great cathedral. After the takeover by the Maoists, he was forced to immigrate to San Francisco, where he died.

In the fall of 2011, a new institution will open its doors to the Orthodox community. St. Katherine College in San Diego, California, will commence the first year of classes, offering an emphasis in Composition, English Language and Literature, Foreign Language, U.S. Government and History, Economics, Mathematics, and the Sciences. As to affiliation, the website explains that “The College community is independent, but it is closely associated with the Orthodox Christian community.” Fr. Thomas Hopko, Dr. Scott Cairns, and Dr. Vladimir Morosan are all listed as faculty, among several other Orthodox academic luminaries.

Recently, Antiochian.org interviewed Vicki Brannock, St. Katherine College’s Executive Director for Communications and Recruitment.

Of course the academic emphasis is important to us. We are selecting staff that represents the best in Orthodox academia and are working to strike a balance between the well established (Fr. Thomas Hopko, Scott Cairns) visiting professors and mid-level and younger faculty that we believe will make significant impact on the future.

2. What will be some of the unique aspects of the St. Katherine college education?

A benefit will be the relatively low cost ($15,000 per year) tuition and the promise of getting your degree in a timely manner. So many students, especially in the state systems are not able to get their undergraduate degree in 4 years because of school overcrowding and class cutbacks. So the historically less expensive alternative of the state college does not provide the same cost savings it has in the past when students must delay graduation until the 5th or 6th year.

Additionally, students will have the opportunity to attend college on the west coast in one of the most beautiful and safest cities in the United States.

3. How would you describe the spiritual formation available at St. Katherine?

The spiritual and relational aspect is invaluable. We are creating a culture of open dialogue and mutual respect between students and faculty. Students will have an opportunity to not only be taught by, but exchange ideas and build long term relationships with, some of the best minds in Orthodox Christian thinking today. Also the fact that this is the first class of students provides a unique opportunity to not only obtain an outstanding education but to be part of something special that will continue making an impact well into the future. “For Christ is Our Life” is the SKC motto, But it is more than that, it is the truth we live by and the witness we share with the world. We believe there are many others who share this passion for transformation. It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “The philosophy of the classroom today will be the philosophy of government tomorrow.” It is wonderful to think that our faculty, students and parents will impact our society in such a positive way!

We will be accepting applications beginning July 2010 and classes begin fall 2011.

Hariri hospital in Belmond and Orthodox disagree on the label and the marginalization of “Ms.”

“Do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing” (Matthew: 6) This is what the Bible says.. The one who wants to do good must not boast before the people and the Bible also says: “If you are fasting your face so as not to appear to men to be fasting” (Matthew 6:16).

This is what we have learned him of our church and that’s what every Christian to apply in their daily lives in light of this society that is tending towards materialism, and the language is frequently asked which is the language spoken by all the money when it enters into any place of spoil and spoil his people.

Since about two weeks, the President of the Government Saad Hariri, the cornerstone of the hospital would be built on the land of Our Lady of Balamand, since the announcement of the name of the hospital, “hospital Rafik al-Hariri,” so the voices have started objecting to emphasize that what is based on the land of Deir can not only be the name of the monastery or on the the name of a saint and a lot of evidence from the St. George Hospital, a hospital, Roman, you know, through secondary school and Orthodox schools: Our Lady of the cups and secondary Mar Elias and the three satellites and many others.

That is why the concerned that there could be a hospital on the name of the donor, and this is especially what prevented the Orthodox Church, which only thanking the donor, which is supposed to be tender is unconditional.

Note that the space made of the project is 140000 square meters, while the hospital needed only for 23000 square meters, thus providing the value of land donations much larger than the value of the donation of Prime Minister Hariri’s 20 million dollars only, and thus contribute to the monastery through land donations worth more and therefore if donation because of the label material can be said that Our Lady of Balamand is entitled to the designation.

For these reasons, some believers collapsed and opened a page on Facebook to support the monastery of Our Lady of Balamand called “Gyari Balamand Monastery of Our Lady” and arrived at 1500 in three days, and started providing support to the monastery and object to naming the hospital in the name of the donor.

After that, the women delegation Kuranyi request an appointment from the Patriarch of Antioch to deliberate on this issue, but what if he knows the Patriarch reason for the visit even changed the way home and hook it up sovereignty to equal 900 thousand Orthodox in Lebanon and Syria, Hariri, said the delegation, the meeting without a result has increased the crisis.

After what was issued by the Patriarch of Antioch collapsed believers are not bound only concern is the canonical and the founders of page Facebook to send a letter to Patriarch explain their point of view about what is happening, and contacted the President of Our Lady of Balamand Archimandrite Isaac Barakat handed over the book to motivate turn to the patriarch, but the surprise was that the head of the Abbey of Balamand was had received just before the book removal from office, which is likely to be on the impact of the repercussions of hospital Prime Minister Hariri in Belmond and support Archimandrite Barakat page Facebook by suspending a single saying: “God Fifth: Hey, guys, and’Adra Thrskm” This may be the sentence provoked ire of Patriarch and led him to fire the head of the monastery.

When the sixth and half of Tuesday evening, June 29 gathering believers and are keen to Heritage Orthodox and property of Our Lady of Balamand talented originally from the sons of the football, and took to the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand and handed over a message to the audience because of the absence of Archimandrite Barakat after the dismissal was a gathering symbolic that ensues bigger steps and movements, including the various components of the Orthodox regardless of any political affiliation or regionally, issue of the right issue, not for the policy, either closely or remotely, also confirms everyone.

It is well known that when facing the dilemma of the herd or flock a case resorts to the sponsor to ask for support, support and advice, but when you give up the shepherd from the sheep to whom shall the sheep go????

NEW YORK – The 40th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, will convene in Atlanta, Ga. July 4-8, 2010 and it will focus on the theme of this Congress “Come and See,” which was set by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America as a follow up to “Gather My People to my Home” theme of the last Congress.

The Clergy-Laity Congress is convened biennially and is concerned with all matters, other than doctrinal or canonical, affecting the life, growth and unity of the Church, her institutions, her finances, her administration, educational and philanthropic concerns and her growing role in the religious life of the nation.

The 40th Congress takes place this year in the Metropolis of Atlanta headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios, and is co-chaired by William Marianes and Nick Moraitakis of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Atlanta. This year’s Congress will be shorter by one day in an effort to reduce overall expenses and make participation more affordable.

Along with the Clergy Laity Congress the National Ladies Philoptochos Society will convene its biennial convention. Other organizations holding meetings include the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, the Retired Greek Orthodox Clergy of America, the Order of Saint Andrew – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians.

A summary schedule follows and more detailed information is available at www.clergylaity.org

Sunday, July 4
9:00 am – Divine Liturgy, Annunciation Cathedral
1:00 pm – July 4th Celebration, Annunciation Cathedral
3:30 pm – Exhibit Opening, Marriott Marquis Hotel
4:00 pm – Philoptochos Opening, Marriott Marquis Hotel

Monday, July 5
9:00 am – Official Opening & Keynote Address
11:00 am – Hierarchal Sessions
1:30 pm – Strategic Forums
7:00 pm – Congress Social Event, Georgia Aquarium

Tuesday, July 6
9:00 am – Congress Committees
Philoptochos General Assembly
Ministry Strategic Planning Sessions
7:30 pm – Clergy-Family Social Event
Delegates Free Evening

Wednesday, July 7
9:00 am – Clergy Laity Plenary Session
6:30 pm – Grand Banquet Reception & Dinner

Thursday, July 8
9:00 am Clergy Breakfast with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

Registration hours: Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 1pm-9pm and Monday 9am-9pm
The Exhibit Hall will be open: Sunday 3pm-9pm, Monday-Wednesday 9am-6pm. This program is subject to minor adjustments.

Guests from the Russian and Romanian Orthodox Church attended on Sunday the Divine Liturgy served at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on the occasion of the 39th year since the enthronement of Maxim, Patriarch of the Bulgarians and Bishop of Sofia.

Maxim, a former Bishop of Lovech, was enthroned as the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on July 4, 1971. He was born October 29, 1914, in the village of Oreshaka, Central Northern Bulgaria, and is currently aged 95.

Patriarch Maxim has received greetings from Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov on the occasion of the 39th year since his inauguration.

“In your face, our Holy Church has an impeccable pillar, our nation – a spiritual leader, and each and every one of use – your fatherly love and wisdom. You achieve all that “in pureness, in knowledge, in long suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,” states the greeting letter of the Bulgarian President including a quote from Apostle Paul from Corinthians 6:6.

Patriarch Maxim is known to have been in good relations with Bulgaria’s communist dictator Todor Zhivkov, and to have been approved by the Bulgarian Communist Party for his appointment as patriarch.

This has led to a division of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church after the fall of the communist regime in 1989, and the creation of an alternative Holy Synod.

The Bulgarian state and other Eastern Orthodox Churches have backed Maxim as the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and have refused to recognize the alternative synod first led by Bishop Pimen, and then by Bishop Inokentiy.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Meets with the WCC General Secretary

On 28 June 2010, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, received the Rev. Dr. Olaf Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, currently on an official visit to Moscow. The meeting took place after the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Moscow Kremlin.

Dr. Tveit is accompanied by the WCC deputy general secretary Jorge Lemopoulos (Patriarchate of Constantinople) and Prof. Dagmar Heller of the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey.

They were joined in the meeting by the deputy chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations Hegumen Philipp (Ryabykh), acting DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations Rev. Dimitry Sizonenko, and a DECR staff member Rev. Alexander Vasyutin.

His Holiness remarked that the World Council of Churches was experiencing a protracted crisis caused by the contradiction between the declared aspiration to Christian unity and the deepening of differences among Christians on certain doctrinal issues, including anthropology and morality in the first place. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church added that attempts of some Protestant communities to revise the standards of Christian morality bring about the alienation of the Orthodox from the WCC. If the Orthodox Christians would not have paid attention to these trends, it would have been a deviation from Christian truth and would have given a cause for schism in the Orthodox Churches.

Speaking about prospects of the WCC renewal, His Holiness noted: “We live in the world in which relations among different civilizations are becoming even more meaningful. Under the circumstances, it is important to all Christians to uphold Christian civilization and promote its good relationship with other civilizational communities. The WCC can promote the achievement of these two objectives by defending the Christian system of values and by developing of a dialogue with other religions and non-religious world outlooks.

“Christianity in the counties belonging to Christian traditions needs common efforts of all Christians to be made for defending it from secular forces that are trying to impose anti-Christian and anti-religious state of opinion on the entire world. I am confident that you are fully aware of this danger and intend to do anything possible to make common Christian witness more active.”

Dr. Tveit thanked His Holiness the Patriarch for warm welcome and hospitality. He highly appreciated the exploit of faith and witness accomplished by the holy new martyrs and confessors of Russia.

He admitted that the ecumenical movement was experiencing a crisis, calling the present state of inter-Christian dialogue “an ecumenical winter.” He believes, however, that this period does not mean the lack of action. On the contrary, as the inter-Christian activity is less intensive, it is necessary to analyze the experience of the past and work out a strategy for the future. Dr. Tveit expressed his hope for the continuation of a dialogue in the WCC on these subjects. He believes that the present differences on a whole range of issues among the WCC member churches could be overcome in the process of an honest and open discussion.

Source:

http://www.mospat.ru/en/2010/06/28/news21076/

Miss Universe Winner Says She Got Real Spiritual Help Only in Orthodoxy

Moscow, June 30, Interfax – Renowned TV anchor who once won Miss Universe title believes that only Orthodox faith has helped her in life and brought her consolation.

"When I was young, I tried various religious trends. But I managed to find consolation and real spiritual help only in Orthodoxy," Oxana Fyodorova was quoted as saying by the Radonezh website.

However, her way to Orthodox Church was not easy. According to her, she "always made mistakes, but the heart was searching for the Truth," which by intuition she "felt in Orthodoxy."

Oxana is convinced that Russians are strong with their spirituality and faith. "If you take it from them, everything will fall down," she said.

"When a person is with God, he has nothing to be afraid of. He is protected by the Love Herself. And we don't have another road, only this one," Oxana said urging believers to be ready for trials and have a spiritual power not to leave the chosen way.

Source:

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=7429

THE ROMANIAN PATRIARCHATE IS SOLIDARY WITH THE ITALIAN PEOPLE

In the context of the debate at the European Court for Human Rights, on 30 June 2010, related to the appeal of the Italian state concerning the right to display the crucifix in public places, the Romanian Patriarchate, which has, at present, over one million Romanian Orthodox faithful in Italy, supports the present initiative of the Italian authorities and reiterates its position disapproving the decision of the European Court for Human Rights, a position publicly expressed as far back as 20 November 2009, which we render below in concise form.

The Romanian Patriarchate considers as unjust the decision the European Court for Human Rights adopted in November 2009, by which the Italian state was obligated to remove the crucifixes from the public schools, because they represented an attempt against the religious-spiritual identity of the Italian people, and, implicitly, against the majority of the European citizens.

Such decisions express a tendency to exile religion into the private space and reject the role of Christianity in society, just as it happened in Eastern Europe during the communist regime, when a totalitarian ideological minority obstructed and even persecuted the faith, tradition and culture of the majority of the Christian population.

The Christian foundation of Europe is not only one of its roots, but also an unmistakable axiological matrix embedded in the European culture as an attitude designed to defend and promote the human dignity and freedom, as receptivity towards the universal values.

We think a society cannot exist without symbols, and if the Christian religious symbols turned into national lay cultural symbols, bearing human universal values, are excluded from the public space, symbols of a different nature (commercial – consuming ones) will replace them, as a result of the loss of the national cultural identity.

Source:

http://www.basilica.ro/en/news/bpress_release_the_romanian_patriarchate_is_solidary_with_the_italian_peopleb.html

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel: “Saint John The Baptist, Result Of The Prayers And Of The Wish To Have Children”

24 June 2010, the Orthodox Church celebrated the Birth of Saint John the Baptist. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the chapel dedicated to “Saint Gregory the Enlightener” of the Patriarchal Residence. To end with, the Primate of our Church delivered a sermon in which he explained the spiritual meaning of the feast.

The Patriarch of Romania explained that Saint John only prepares the way of the Lord, but the bridegroom of the Church is Christ, our Lord.

His Beatitude underlined the fact that Saint John the Baptist was given the name of John, as a predestined name, because it was not his parents that chose it, but it was given by God through Archangel Gabriel and it means “the one full of grace”, “the given one”, “the one pleasant to God”. This name shows that Saint John had a special vocation. Whenever God gives somebody a name directly, it means that the name is included in a spiritual programme, so that the programme of Saint John the Baptist is the announcement or preaching of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, as forerunner who prepares the way of the Lord”, said His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.

We cannot receive God in our life without repentance

The spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord and for His reception by the people means repentance! The sermon of Saint John in the desert of Jordan begins with the words “Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!” He is the preacher of repentance, of changing the life, of turning away from forgetting about God to the consistent remembrance of God through prayer and good deeds. “Saint John the Baptist has been a true prophet ever since his mother’s womb and he has been part of the plan of God for the salvation of the world. His preparatory work shows us that it is not possible to receive God in our life without repenting”, also said the Patriarch of Romania.

The Primate of our Church explained that Saint John the Baptist is, for us, a child born as a result of the prayers, of the holy wish to have children, while the celebration of his birth today reminds us of the fact that lots of parents who wanted to have children and did not have them, could get them through prayer and fasting, through the participation in various religious services, reading the Akatistos of Parents Ioachim and Anna, through prayers to Saint John the Baptist and to Saints Zechariah and Elisabeth. “The parents of Saint John the Baptist, Zechariah and Elisabeth, are an example of hope and prayer for all the parents who want to have children and they do not have them. The birth of Saint John the Baptist urges us to grow children in faith, to wish to have more and more faithful children in the Church. The birth of Saint John the Baptist is a reproof for the mothers who abort their children, but a blessing for the families who have many children and grow them up, although very often the times are hard and the material things are in badly needed. Faith gives us hope and help.”

To end with, the Patriarch of Romania congratulated all those of the name John or Joan, or of their derived, wishing them many blessed years of life, with growth in faith and good deeds, for the joy of the Church and the people’s salvation.

Source:

http://www.basilica.ro/en/news/his_beatitude_patriarch_daniel_saint_john_the_baptist_result_of_the_prayers_and_of_the_wish_to_have_children_.html

Dedication Day Of The Pilgrimage Centre Of „Saint Paul The Apostle” Of The Romanian Patriarchate

Yesterday, 29 June 2010, feast of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles, His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral, and awarded distinctions to the employees of the Pilgrimage Centre of “Saint Paul the Apostle” on behalf of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel – informs 'Lumina Newspaper'.

His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul awarded, on behalf of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, several diplomas and distinctions of honour and merit to the employees of the Pilgrimage Centre of “Saint Paul the Apostle”, which celebrated its dedication day yesterday, in order to emphasise the work and faithfulness of the employees of this institution.

Patriarchal Counsellor Leonard Ciofu, co-ordinator of the Pilgrimage Centre, Director Diana Iorga and Oana Florina Lungu, pilgrimage co-ordinator since 2003, were awarded the diploma of honour of “Saint Andrew the Apostle”.

“We remember the words of Saint Paul the Apostle who tells us “never forget to do good and help, because such sacrifices are pleasant to God”, according to the prerogatives provided by the Statutes for the Organisation and Functioning of the Romanian Orthodox Church and award, as a sign of our appreciation and blessing for the service implemented in the Church, the diploma of honour of Saint Andrew the Apostle” reads the text of diploma awarded to the three employees of the Centre.

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel awarded Rev. Alin Calinic Hotcoleanu, deacon Nicolae Argatu, Simona Cerin, Alexandru Matache and Vasile Cristea the distinction of merit of “Saint Dimitrie the New” because they have been employed for more than a year.

The staff members more recently employed were awarded the diploma of honour of Saint Emperor Constantine and of his mother Helen. So, such diplomas of honour were awarded to Vicolae Tatu, Elena-Alexandra Mitelea, Carmen Cretu, Ecaterina Mariora and Elena-Gabriela Indreiu.

Diligence for preaching and implementing the Gospel

His Grace Bishop Varlaam spoke in the sermon delivered about the personalities of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles.

“We can learn from these two Apostles their diligence both for preaching and for implementing the Gospel. They were faithful to the words of the Saviour who said that whoever would learn and practice, would be great in the Kingdom of the God. These two Apostles lived and taught other people to live in Christ. Their devotion for Christ, their faithfulness to the Gospel, while surrounded by so much risk and trouble, make them holy icons which we all must imitate”, said His Grace Bishop Varlaam in his sermon.

It was also yesterday that His Grace Varlaam awarded the rank of iconom to Rev. Cristinel Trandafir, parish priest of the church of Saint Basil the Great - Victoria, with red girdle and epigonation.

Source:

http://www.basilica.ro/en/news/dedication_day_of_the_pilgrimage_centre_of_saint_paul_the_apostle_of_the_romanian_patriarchate.html

St. Thomas, the Apostle Syriac Orthodox Church, San Jose, CA Consecrated

SAN JOSE, CA: By the Grace of God, His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan Archbishop of the Western US, accompanied by His Eminence Mor Gregorios Saliba Shamoun Archbishop of Mosul, Iraq, and His Eminence Mor Filuksinos Saliba Archbishop of Mardin and Turkey, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 20th 2010, at 12:00 pm, and consecrated the new worship place, located at: 1921 Las Plumas Ave, San Jose, CA 95133, to be St. Thomas the Apostle Syriac Orthodox Church.

The building of the new church was donated by the faithful Mr. Emad and Mrs. Alia Hoady in memory of their son the late David Hoady. In his sermon His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan thanked our Lord Jesus Christ for allowing to have His house to be worshiped by faithful people. His Eminence also extended his gratitude to the Hoady family who donated the church and presented them a plaque as a token of appreciation. In turn, the Hoady family gave each of the archbishops a gift (gold plated cross).

In his homily, the Archbishop of Mosul showed his joy and presented to His Eminence Mor Clemis a treasury that he has brought from St. Thomas Cathedral in Mosul, Iraq. It is the relic of St. Thomas the apostle, which was brought from Edessa to Mosul in the 4th century, and it is the only relic of the apostle in USA.

It was a wonderful and blessed historical day. There were many faithful who attended from the various churches in the Archdiocese as well as from the Malankara Archdiocese. Every attendee was blessed from the bone of St. Thomas, and enjoyed the prayers of the consecration.

Source:

http://www.malankarasyriacvoice.com/

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONTINUES HIS PASTORAL VISIT TO THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN CANADA

ANTELIAS, Toronto (Canada) – On 24 June 2010, His Holiness Aram I, the Archbishops, Bishops and Priests accompanying him arrived in Toronto. The Dean of the Cathedral and Parish Priest, Very Rev Meghrik Parikian, members of the Church Council and other representatives met him at the VIP Lounge of the airport.

In the evening, His Holiness and his entourage arrived at the St. Mary’s Church, where he was welcomed by the community and led in procession into the Church by the priests, the church-choir and the students of the Armenian school. After official welcome speeches and at the end of the evening service his Holiness addressed the faithful and said: “I thank God for the presence of an active community surrounding the Church, because the Church is the Church of the people. I also want to express my joy at the presence of all the children and youth attending the Armenian School. An active church, a lively school and good functioning community organizations enrich and deepen our identity in host communities. I pray God that you continue with the same enthusiasm confessing the faith of our church and preserving our cultural heritage.”

When the message was over, all those present, including children greeted His Holiness Aram I and received his blessings.

Catholicos Aram I and the clergy then were invited to a dinner in the Church Center. After formal speeches by representatives, His Holiness invited those present to share their concerns and ask him questions. The evening came to its conclusion after a heart-to-heart dialogue.

In the coming days Catholicos Aram I will meet with Political Authorities, Ecumenical Leaders and assist social and cultural activities organized by the Armenian community in Southern Ontario.

Source:

http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/English/visitseng.htm#8

Pan Armenian Writers Assembly
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On June 28, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received 70 participants of the fifth Pan Armenian Writers Assembly in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Following a joint prayer, Levon Ananian, President of the Writers Union of Armenia, introduced the participants and agenda of the Assembly. "We visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin at each assembly to receive your blessings and the blessings of the Mother See, which are very important for the strengthening of spiritual and scientific-cultural ties", Mr. Ananian stated in part. He expressed his gratitude to the Armenian Pontiff and on behalf of the participants, presented His Holiness with a two volume publication entitled "Modern Armenian Lyrics" as a sign of love and devotion to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Catholicos of All Armenians welcomed the guests and extending his blessings to the participants. He expressed his joy for their visit to the Mother See which he called, "the birthplace of literature... The Mother See is a place of inspiration for writers, where they can feel the presence of the past and find their mission through communication with God." His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the governing members of the Writers Union for their initiative in uniting writers from Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, in the firm belief that the Assembly would contribute to productive initiatives in the future.

His Holiness reflected on the mission of the writers - the creation of the Armenian image, mindset and world view, through works leading to the development of the homeland. "Values which are transferred to us through the pen should serve to influence the pride for the future generations, just as the works of our forefathers do for us. This is a crucial period for us - we face challenges in the preservation of national values. The leadership and decisive voice of the writer should be influential for the nation. The conscience of the nation should be the voice of the writer – bearing in mind the benefit of and the love for the homeland.

His Holiness held an open question and answer session discussing the current status and condition of the Georgian Diocese and Churches, the opening of foreign schools in Armenia, the teaching of Armenian Church History in public schools and publication of textbooks on religion and Armenian Church History for the Diaspora. There was also a reflection on the meetings of Religious Leaders during the visit of His Holiness to Baku, Azerbaijan.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Pontiff of All Armenians presented the participants with a various works published by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Source:

http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=3&nid=1588&y=2010&m=5&d=29

Patriarch IRINEJ formally welcomed in Gracanica Monastery

Serbian Orthodox Church

His Holiness IRINEJ, Serbian Patriarch came today to Kosovo and Metohija in order to participate in tomorrow's celebration of Saint Vitus' Day along with other bishops, priests, monks and the faithful people. Patriarch IRINEJ arrived to the Gracanica monastery at 4pm accompanied by Bishop Teodosije. His Holiness was welcomed by Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Raska-Prizren Metropolitan Amfilohije along with Bishop Atanasije, priests, monks, nuns and believers.

Tomorrow, on St. Vitus' Day at 8am in the morning his Holiness will serve the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy at the Gracanica monastery with the concelebration of Metropolitan Amfilohije, as well as other Bishops and priests of the SOC. After the Liturgy, all the present will go to Gazimestan, where a memorial service traditionally is served to the suffered heroes of Kosovo.

Source:

http://www.spc.rs/eng/patriarch_irinej_formally_welcomed_gracanica_monastery

St. Vitus' Day Formally Celebrated

Celebrating Saint Vitus' Day, the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people mark 621 years since the feat of the Serbian army which defended in Kosovo in 1389 its lands and the Christianity from the mighty Ottoman empire.

The central celebration of St. Vitus' Day in Kosovo and Metohija today started with the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy which was served by His Holiness IRINEJ, Serbian Patriarch with the concelebration of Metropolitan Amfilohije, Bishop Atanasije and Bishop Teodosije as well as 20 priests from many Dioceses of the SOC. More than hundred believers from many parts of Kosovo and Metohija and Serbia participated in the Holy Liturgy in front of the Gracanica church.

The state of Serbia was today represented by Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic and Minister of Faith Prof. Dr. Bogoljub Sijakovic with associates. Besides them Ambassador of the Russian Federation HE Alexandar Konuzin with his associates and a group of Russian cadets, the head of the Russian office in Kosovo and Metohija Andrej Sugurov, the head of Greek office in Prishtina and the EU special adviser for the issues of Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo Dimitris Moshopoulos, the head of the Norvegian office in Kosovo and the great benefactor of the humanitarian actions for the Serbian returnees in Kosovo and Metohija Sverre Johan Kvale with few foreign diplomats were also present at the Holy Liturgy and the memorial service at Gazimestan.

After the Holy Liturgy Bishop Teodosije presented the orders "Mother of the Jugovics" to mothers of many children. Sister Evrosinija prepared for all the invited and the present people the feast day's luncheon.

At 13:00 hours, when the majority of people gathered which had come from many parts of Serbia to Kosovo and Metohija, the traditional memorial service was held to the killed Serbian soldiers in the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 at Gazimestan. Several thousand people from Serbia, Montenegro and the Republic of Srpska have gathered in front of the monument to the Kosovo heroes. A group of monks before the memorial service sang the Serbian hymn "Lord, Give Us Justice", and the Russian cadets then sang also the Russian hymn as the sign of the traditional friendship and the communion of our two nations.

The Memorial service at Gazimestan ended today's the Saint Vitus' Day celebrations which gathered the greatest number of the faithful from all Serbian lands in the post-war period.

Source:

http://www.spc.rs/eng/st_vitus_day_formally_celebrated

Orthodox, Catholic Bishops Team up to Back Crucifix Bid

BELGRADE -- The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) and the Catholic Church in Serbia backed efforts in Italy to reinstate the crucifix in schools.

The dignitaries of the two churches said they "defend the right to displaying religious symbols in the states that have majority of Christian citizens and at the same time honor minorities' freedom of religion".

The Catholic Church in Serbia stated that all its members, believers, priests and the bishop fully support Italy's fight for public display of Christian holy symbols in state schools and other educational institutions in future.

By the declaration adopted on June 24, the European Court of Human Rights decided that Christian symbols must not be used in schools and other educational institutions.

"We appreciate and honor the opinion of every citizen in multiethnic and multicultural Europe, but we still believe that Christians have right to their own opinion and public expression of their religious affiliation," the Catholic Church in Serbia released in a statement.

The Catholic Church in Serbia expressed gratitude to, as they put it, brotherly SPC that has also backed the initiative.

The SPC Holy Synod of Bishops supported the initiative of the Catholic Church in Serbia at a session held on June 24.

"We hope that this important and noble initiative will be affirmed before the European Court of Human Rights," the SPC stated.

Source:

http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=06&dd=30&nav_id=68148

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Makes Courtesy Visits in Nevsehir

STANBUL - Daily News with wires

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew made courtesy visits to the governor and mayor of Nevsehir to thank them for hosting an annual dividne liturgy in the province over the weekend.

Konstantinos Eleni Church in Mustafapasa in Ürgüp district and Saint Teodoris Church in Derinkuyu district, where the liturgies were held on Saturday and Sunday, are normally closed to worship.

However, prayer is allowed once a year for ceremonies with special permission. The patriarch first visited Gov. Osman Aydin and then Mayor Hasan Ünver, expressing his happiness at being in Cappadocia.

Meanwhile, two members of the Alperen Ocaklari, the youth group of the nationalist Great Union Party, or BBP, protested Bartholomew’s visit with a banner.

The patriarch appeared on a TV show on a U.S. network CBS last year saying he felt “crucified in Turkey” for not having enough religious freedom.

Receiving great criticism after the interview, he said his comments were not planned and that the media had over-emphasized the quote.

He said the comments were a metaphor for detailing Greeks’ problems in Turkey, highlighted by the issue of the Halki seminary’s being located on Heybeliada, one of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara.

The banner the two youths held in front of the municipality building read, “You said I feel crucified. You are at a ceremony in Cappadocia. You lied. Alperens from Nevsehir.”

The two members of the Alperen Ocaklari then left the scene without incident. The Greek Orthodox patriarch left Nevsehir to return to Istanbul on Monday.

Source:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=pathriarch-made-courtesy-visits-in-nevsehir-2010-06-28

Aram I in Toronto on Last Leg of Canadian Pontifical Visit

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia began His Pontifical visit of Toronto following the end of the Interfaith Summit in Winnipeg and was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, His Eminence Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Tehran and Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, the Catholicosate’s Communications Officer, on June 24, 2010.

His Holiness began His visit with a meeting with the Armenian community at Toronto’s St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church on the same evening of His arrival, where the traditional “kissing of the ring” took place and parishioners personally greeted His Holiness Aram I and in turn received His blessing.

In His speech to the community, His Holiness emphasized the importance of all Armenian establishments like the Armenian Church and school, “which are the treasures of our lives. Without our churches, schools and all our establishments, our identity will be lost and our faith and spirit will grow weak. We have to keep these pillars strong by continuously being involved and contributing to our community establishments.”

Following the church ceremony, His Holiness Aram I, met with the representatives and members of St. Mary’s church organizations over dinner at Toronto’s Armenian Community Centre’s Hovnanian Hall.

At the onset of the intimate get-together, Very Rev. Fr. Meghrig Parikian, St Mary’s Church Pastor, and Archpriest Gomidas Panossian, the Church Pastor of Cambridge’s Sourp Nishan Armenian Apostolic Church, took turns expressing a few words of welcome to His Holiness.

As the evening progressed, attendants asked His Holiness questions they felt were pertinent, and for close to an hour, an open discussion with His Holiness took place about a variety of topics.

Meeting with Representatives of Local Armenian Parties

The next day, His Holiness met with the Toronto representatives of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, where they discussed current affairs affecting the Armenian Diaspora and Armenia.

During the meeting, His Holiness noted the importance of continuing the joint collaboration between the three parties and in turn, each party representative reinforced their willingness to continue working together in the future.

His Holiness then greeted the representatives and members of local organizations from the Armenian communities of Cambridge, St. Catharines and Hamilton.

Meeting with Youth and Representatives of Sister Organizations

His Holiness continued His special meetings with the Armenian community, and this time met with members of Toronto’s Armenian youth on the evening of June 25, 2010.
As His Holiness greatly values dialogue, particularly with members of the youth, He took particular attention to them and intently listened to their concerns regarding many aspects of their lives and shared His fatherly advice and wisdom with them.

The following morning, His Holiness Aram I, met with the representatives and members of sister organizations over breakfast, where they discussed the importance of the different activities all of the organizations take on.

Historic Designation of Georgetown Boys Farm as Heritage Site

Under the Auspices of His Holiness Aram I, the unveiling of the official municipal plaque designating the Georgetown Armenian Boys Farmhouse, presently known as the Cedarvale Community Centre, as a protected historic and cultural site took place on the afternoon of June 26, 2010.

The memory of the Georgetown Boys will be preserved through this designation, as the site will serve as a permanent memorial site commemorating the Armenian Genocide and Canada’s role in saving Armenian lives.

For the past two years, the Armenian National Committee of Toronto (ANCT) has been working to have the Georgetown Armenian Boys Farmhouse, presently known as the Cedarvale Community Centre, designated as a protected historic and cultural site.

Between 1923 and 1927, 109 Armenian boys and 29 Armenian girls who were orphaned during the Ottoman Empire’s systematic genocide against the Armenians, were brought to Canada by the Armenian Relief Association and raised in the farmhouse.

The son of a Georgetown Boy and Georgetown Girl, and the grandson of a Georgetown Boy, as well as local politicians from the municipal, provincial and federal levels were present for this historic event, whereas His Holiness opened the ceremony with our Lord’s prayer.

An official banquet in honour of the 15-year anniversary of the appointment of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos also took place the same night, where more than 500 people attended the celebration, which featured a diverse cultural program and was held at the Inn of the Park Hotel.

Source:

http://asbarez.com/82850/aram-i-in-toronto-on-last-leg-of-canadian-pontifical-visit/

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin New Publications

With the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Publishing Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin published Hovhannes Tsortsoretsi’s work “Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Matthew.”

This commentary on the Gospel according to St. Matthew was written by Archimandrite Hovhannes Tsortsoretsi in 1316 as a continuation of Nerses Shnorhali’s “Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Matthew” that was interrupted suddenly on number E 17. Perhaps this is the largest and most detailed commentary created in the Middle Ages in Armenia, done on the basis of All-Christian commentaries and those of Armenian Fathers. Seda Stamboltsyan translated the three volume work from Old Armenian and wrote the footnotes.

The Publishing Department also published St. Yeprem Asori’s “Selected Speeches.” The translation from Old Armenian was done by Marta Arabyan.

According to Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Information Services, the works were published under the aegis of Sargis Gabrielyan foundation.

Source:

http://www.aysor.am/en/news/2010/06/30/edjmiatsin-books/