International

Polish Orthodox Church consecrates Warsaw’s Agia Sophia Cathedral

Nearly five years after its foundation stone was laid, the Agia Sophia Cathedral in Warsaw was festively consecrated on the eve of the feast of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Theotokos. The new cathedral, based on the iconic Agia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul, is the first Orthodox church to be built in Warsaw in a…

Sep 24, 2020Iulian Dumitraşcu

Ecumenical Patriarch’s message for Sept. 1: Respect for the environment is an act of doxology of God’s name

In his message at the beginning of the new church year, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew states that “respect for the environment is an act of doxology of God’s name, while the destruction of creation is an offense against the Creator, entirely irreconcilable with the basic tenets of Christian theology.” At the initiative of the Patriarchate of…

Aug 28, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Christian persecution increased during the pandemic

Persecution and discrimination against Christians increased around the world during the coronavirus pandemic. For authoritarian governments, which already limit religious freedom, the pandemic has become a pretext to step up persecution against the Christians, Release International said. In many developing countries, Christians are denied food and pandemic-related health care assistance and support systems, UCA News…

Aug 18, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Take a virtual tour of Beirut Orthodox Cathedral and help its renovation. See how it looked before the explosion

The VR Pilgrim application offers a virtual tour of places of worship from Lebanon, among which the “St. Nicholas” Cathedral in Beirut, one of the most affected buildings by the blast on August 4. In June, VR360 Treasures company launched the application VR Pilgrim, which allows users to take virtual tours of Christian churches across…

Aug 17, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

We are called to acquire the meekness and humility of the heart imitating Saint John Jacob, Patriarch Theophilos says

In the sermon delivered on Monday at the Chozeba Monastery, on the feast of Saint John Jacob the New Chosebite, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem spoke about the Romanian saint pointing out that he learned the humility and meekness from Christ. “Saint John Jacob accomplished his completeness because he was taught by Christ Himself the meekness…

Aug 13, 2020Gheorghe Anghel

Ecumenical Patriarch thanks Patriarch of Romania for solidarity over Hagia Sophia issue: ‘The Church of God’s Wisdom belongs to all humanity’

His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew thanked the Patriarch of Romania “from the depth of his heart” for the support expressed in the case of the Hagia Sophia Basilica following a decision of the Turkish authorities to transform it into a mosque after 86 years. “From the depth of our heart, we thank you for Your…

Aug 4, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Church founded by St Constantine Brâncoveanu in Constantinople celebrates patronal feast

The Church of Saint Paraskevi in Pikridion, which was founded by Saint Constantine Brancoveanu and is now the spiritual home of the Romanian community in Constantinople, celebrated its patronal feast on July 26. “According to the established tradition, on July 26, Romanian and Greek Orthodox Christians in Istanbul gathered in the centre of the metropolis…

Aug 3, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

CROCEU on Hagia Sophia: The effort to erase its ancient Christian origins is deplorable and dangerous

The Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Institutions (CROCEU) expressed its deep regret concerning Turkey’s unprecedented violation of the UNESCO rules by changing the status of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque. CROCEU has issued a statement in which it says the action violates historical memory and…

Jul 23, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian Patriarchate adds its voice: Keep Hagia Sophia a museum

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel told the Ecumenical Patriarch that the Romanian Patriarchate supports the preservation of the current status of the Hagia Sophia Basilica in Constantinople (Istanbul). The status of this symbol for Christianity is being re-discussed in Turkey. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has asked the Turkish authorities to keep the current museum status for the…

Jul 8, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Four year anniversary of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church

Four years ago, on June 16, began the writing of ‘a new chapter in the history of the Church’ as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew called the meeting of the Local Orthodox Churches that took place on the island of Crete. The Council took place from June 16 to June 26, 2016, at the Orthodox Academy of…

Jun 19, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s new ambassador to Israel visits Romanian Patriarchate’s representation to Jerusalem

Romania’s newly appointed ambassador to Israel, Radu Ioanid, visited the headquarters of the Romanian Patriarchate’s representation in Jerusalem where he met with the V. Rev. Archimandrite Teofil Anastasoaie on Monday, June 15. “After a break of three years in which the position of ambassador was vacant, we are glad that it was finally decided that…

Jun 18, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu