Friday, September 30, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Allied Spirit V:NATO Land Exercise Stresses Interoperablility
NATO Exercise Allied Spirit V is underway at the Hohenfels Training Area,Germany.It runs from 26 September to 15 October 2016 and involves some 2520 troops from eight countries.Besides the US,participants include Belgium;Canada;the Czech Republic;Germany;Italy;Lithuania;and the UK.*
The US Army is leading the drills,sending soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry;12th Combat Aviation Brigade;and the 40th Infantry Division California Army National Guard,Louisiana Army National Guard and Pennsylvania Army National Guard.Allied Spirit prepares forces in Europe to tactically interoperate and tests communications security among NATO Allies and partners.*
Lithuania's "Iron Wolf" Brigade is commanding Brigade HQ at Hohenfels,which is the US Army Training Command's facility.The multinational unified land operations promote both the interoperability and the integration of the participating forces as they confront the simulated aggressors.*
The drills are the follow-on to Allied Spirit IV,which took place in January 2016.
The US Army is leading the drills,sending soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry;12th Combat Aviation Brigade;and the 40th Infantry Division California Army National Guard,Louisiana Army National Guard and Pennsylvania Army National Guard.Allied Spirit prepares forces in Europe to tactically interoperate and tests communications security among NATO Allies and partners.*
Lithuania's "Iron Wolf" Brigade is commanding Brigade HQ at Hohenfels,which is the US Army Training Command's facility.The multinational unified land operations promote both the interoperability and the integration of the participating forces as they confront the simulated aggressors.*
The drills are the follow-on to Allied Spirit IV,which took place in January 2016.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Monday, September 26, 2016
Sunday, September 25, 2016
His Grace Bishop Kirill of Erythrae Consecrated in Smyrna/Izmir,Turkey as Auxiliary Bishop to His Eminence Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna at St.Voukolos' Church on 25 September 2016 - photo album of historic event - ΦΩΤΟ: Η Χειροτονία του Επισκόπου Ερυθρών Κυρίλλου από τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη στη Σμύρνη|Amen.gr
ΦΩΤΟ: Η Χειροτονία του Επισκόπου Ερυθρών Κυρίλλου από τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη στη Σμύρνη|Amen.gr: Πλήθος πιστών συμμετείχε στην Πατριαρχική Θεία Λειτουργία που τελέστηκε στον Ι.Ν.Αγίου Βουκόλου Σμύρνης κατά την οποία τελέστηκε η χειροτονία του Επισκόπου Ερυθρών Κυρίλλου (Συκή), βοηθού του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαί�
His Eminence Bartholomew Enthroned as First Metropolitan of Smyrna/Izmir,Turkey in nearly a century - photo album of historic event attended by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Συγκίνηση στην ενθρόνιση του νέου Μητροπολίτη Σμύρνης Βαρθολομαίου (ΦΩΤΟ-VIDEO)|Amen.gr
Συγκίνηση στην ενθρόνιση του νέου Μητροπολίτη Σμύρνης Βαρθολομαίου (ΦΩΤΟ-VIDEO)|Amen.gr: Ιστορικές στιγμές έζησαν όσοι βρέθηκαν το απόγευμα του Σαββάτου στην πόλη της Σμύρνης, όπου ενθρονίστηκε ο πρώτος Μητροπολίτης της, μετά την μικρασιατική καταστροφή.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Friday, September 23, 2016
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Assisi Hosts Pope and Patriarchs on World Day of Prayer for Peace
Their Holinesses Pope Francis,Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Aphrem II,His Grace Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and other religious leaders gathered at Assisi,Italy for the World Day of Prayer for Peace in the Basilica of St.Francis.On a day blessed with clear and sunny skies,the leaders paused to reflect on the numerous wars and conflicts afflicting the world today and beseech God for an end to them.Their was a special emphasis on the Middle East in general and Syria in particular,as well as on the case of the abducted Archbishops of Aleppo in Syria,Greek Orthodox Paul Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox Mor Yohanna Gregorius Ibrahim,who were kidnapped at gunpoint by unknown extremists more than three years ago.
The four hierarchs greeted a number of pilgrims in the cloisters of the Franciscan monastery before assembling with a congregation in the lower Basilica of St.Francis,where the saint is entombed,for a Christian prayer service.At the same time,Muslims and other believers assembled at separate locations to pray according to their own traditions.Finally,all assembled in the Basilica courtyard for final reflections.The Day of Prayer was preceded by a number of other peace discussions and events beginning on Monday.
At one point in the Christian prayer service,an alphabetised list of world conflict zones was read.Each location was remembered with the chant "Kyrie eleison,"which is "Lord have mercy" in Greek,and a candle was lit.From Afghanistan to Mexico,to Yemen and the Holy Land,dozens of violent regions were prayerfully recognised.
To conclude the Christian service,each of the four hierarchs participated in a four-part benediction,or blessing.
The four hierarchs greeted a number of pilgrims in the cloisters of the Franciscan monastery before assembling with a congregation in the lower Basilica of St.Francis,where the saint is entombed,for a Christian prayer service.At the same time,Muslims and other believers assembled at separate locations to pray according to their own traditions.Finally,all assembled in the Basilica courtyard for final reflections.The Day of Prayer was preceded by a number of other peace discussions and events beginning on Monday.
At one point in the Christian prayer service,an alphabetised list of world conflict zones was read.Each location was remembered with the chant "Kyrie eleison,"which is "Lord have mercy" in Greek,and a candle was lit.From Afghanistan to Mexico,to Yemen and the Holy Land,dozens of violent regions were prayerfully recognised.
To conclude the Christian service,each of the four hierarchs participated in a four-part benediction,or blessing.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Monday, September 19, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Photos of the funeral of Metropolitan Evgenios of Ierapytna and Sitia,Crete,who died of heart conditions in his sleep on Thursday 15 September 2016 at age 64 - Archbishop Irenaios of Crete presided and an Air Force honour guard participated. εξόδιος ακολουθία του μακαριστού Μητροπολίτη Ιεραπτύνης Ευγενίου|Amen.gr
Η εξόδιος ακολουθία του μακαριστού Μητροπολίτη Ιεραπτύνης Ευγενίου|Amen.gr: Ύστατο χαίρε στον Μακαριστό Μητροπολίτη Ιεραπύτνης και Σητείας Ευγένιο απηύθυνε σήμερα το Ορθόδοξο ποίμνιο στην Ιεράπετρα. Στον Ιερό Μητροπολιτικό Ναό Αγίου Γεωργίου Ιεράπετρας, τελούνται από το Σάββατο το πρωί αρχιερατικά συλλείτουργα ενώ στη 1 το μεσ
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew held a Trisagion service for Metropolitan Evgenios of Ierapitna,Crete,who died suddenly on Thursday,in the Patriaral Church of St.George in Constantinople/Istanbul - photo Τρισάγιο υπέρ αναπαύσεως του μακαριστού Μητροπολίτου Ιεραπύτνης από τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη (ΦΩΤΟ)|Amen.gr
Τρισάγιο υπέρ αναπαύσεως του μακαριστού Μητροπολίτου Ιεραπύτνης από τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη (ΦΩΤΟ)|Amen.gr: Τρισάγιο υπέρ αναπαύσεως της ψυχής του μακαριστού Μητροπολίτη Ιεραπύτνης και Σητείας κυρού Ευγενίου τέλεσε σήμερα ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος στον Πάνσεπτό Πατριαρχικό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου στο Φανάρι.
Photo:His Eminence Metropolitan Evgenios of Ierapitna,Crete,dies suddenly on 15 September at age 64,probably of a heart attack,shocking the Church and Mother Church of Constantinople - funeral on Sunday -Εκοιμήθη ο Μητροπολίτης Ιεραπύτνης Ευγένιος - Σοκ στην τοπική Εκκλησία|Amen.gr
Εκοιμήθη ο Μητροπολίτης Ιεραπύτνης Ευγένιος - Σοκ στην τοπική Εκκλησία|Amen.gr: Εκοιμήθη αιφνιδίως το βράδυ της Πέμπτης ο Μητροπολίτης Ιεραπύτνης Ευγένιος, 64 ετών, ο οποίος κατά τις πρώτες πληροφορίες υπέστη καρδιακό επεισόδιο.
Friday, September 16, 2016
Pope Francis Receives Priceless Gift From Patriarch of Moscow
On 15 September 2016,His Holiness Pope Francis met at the Vatican with His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion of Volokolamsk,Chairman of the External Church Relations Department of the Russian Orthodox Church.Before their meeting,Metropolitan Ilarion presented Pope Francis with a special gift from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.It is a relic of St.Seraphim of Sarov,the spiritual luminary of nineteenth century Russia.The relic is encased in a golden,egg-shaped reliquary,which the Pope promptly genuflected to and kissed.He asked Metropolitan Ilarion,who is in Rome as Head of the Russian Delegation to The Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church,to convey to Patriarch Kirill his gratitude and brotherly love.*
During their meeting,the two hierarchs discussed the state of relations between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches following the historic first meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill in Havana,Cuba last February.They also reviewed the suffering of Christians in the Middle East,stressing the need for more joint actions to alleviate it.His Eminence told the pontiff about the initiatives the Moscow Patriarchate has taken to provide aid to Syria and praised the Pope for his own peace efforts in the region.On the cultural front,the Pope and the Metropolitan noted that the Church of Rome and the Moscow Patriarchate have exchange study tours for Russian Orthodox and Catholic theology students underway.
During their meeting,the two hierarchs discussed the state of relations between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches following the historic first meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill in Havana,Cuba last February.They also reviewed the suffering of Christians in the Middle East,stressing the need for more joint actions to alleviate it.His Eminence told the pontiff about the initiatives the Moscow Patriarchate has taken to provide aid to Syria and praised the Pope for his own peace efforts in the region.On the cultural front,the Pope and the Metropolitan noted that the Church of Rome and the Moscow Patriarchate have exchange study tours for Russian Orthodox and Catholic theology students underway.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
US Global Strike Assets Help Intensify NATO Exercise
Two US Air Force B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers from the 459th Bomb Group,Dyess Air Force Base,Texas,and a B-52H Stratofortress bomber were sent to RAF Fairford,England recently to participate in Exercise Ample Strike 16 in the Czech Republic.The strategic,nuclear-capable aircraft are part of US Global Strike Command.They were deployed in support of the NATO drills for JTACs,or Joint Terminal attack Controllers,that involved 1500 military personnel from 16 NATO Allies and partners.The troops were trained in realistic,complex and demanding scenarios.Besides JTACs,who call in and guide close air support for ground forces,Ample Strike also trains aircrews and commanders of ground forces.*
The training was conducted for both day and nighttime operations,improving interoperability.For example,a Czech ground commander communicated with a Finnish JTAC;a convoy waited for close air support during an improvised attack;simulated mortar attacks were carried out;and US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from 12th Air Combat Brigade in Katterbach,Bayern,Germany visited a forward fueling station.*
The presence of the heavy US bombers underlined the seriousness of the warfighting drills,which thereby had at their call some of the world's most powerful,flexible and long-ranging weapon systems from US Global Strike Command.They were an unmistakable message of assurance and deterrence from NATO to the most advanced,belligerent and determined potential adversaries,such as Russia,China,Iran and North Korea.
The training was conducted for both day and nighttime operations,improving interoperability.For example,a Czech ground commander communicated with a Finnish JTAC;a convoy waited for close air support during an improvised attack;simulated mortar attacks were carried out;and US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from 12th Air Combat Brigade in Katterbach,Bayern,Germany visited a forward fueling station.*
The presence of the heavy US bombers underlined the seriousness of the warfighting drills,which thereby had at their call some of the world's most powerful,flexible and long-ranging weapon systems from US Global Strike Command.They were an unmistakable message of assurance and deterrence from NATO to the most advanced,belligerent and determined potential adversaries,such as Russia,China,Iran and North Korea.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Monday, September 12, 2016
Photo album of the historic consecration to the episcopacy of Archimandrite Bartholomew Samaras at the Patriarchal Church of St.George in Constantinople/Istanbul,Turkey - Bishop Bartholomew will soon be enthroned as the Metropolitan of Smyrna/Izmir,Turkey,the first one in nearly a century - Συγκίνηση στη Χειροτονία του Μητροπολίτη Σμύρνης, του πρώτου ύστερα από 94 χρόνια (ΦΩΤΟ)|Amen.gr
Συγκίνηση στη Χειροτονία του Μητροπολίτη Σμύρνης, του πρώτου ύστερα από 94 χρόνια (ΦΩΤΟ)|Amen.gr: Με λαμπρότητα και μεγαλοπρέπεια τελέστηκε σήμερα στον Πάνσεπτο Πατριαρχικό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου, στο Φανάρι, από τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο και Αρχιερείς η χειροτονία του μέχρι τώρα Αρχιγραμματέα της Αγίας και Ιεράς Συνόδου και νέου Μητροπολίτου Σμύρνης Βαρθολομαίου.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Metropolitan Maximos of Selymvria celebrates the Nativity of the Theotokos with Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneias and Komotinis,who is one of the younger and more dynamic hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne - photo album - Μητροπολίτης Σηλυβρίας κοντά στους Σηλυβριώτες της Κομοτηνής|Amen.gr
Ο Μητροπολίτης Σηλυβρίας κοντά στους Σηλυβριώτες της Κομοτηνής|Amen.gr: Κοντά στους καταγώμενους εκ Φαναρίου Σηλυβρίας ενορίτες του Ι.Ν. Γενεσίου της Θεοτόκου Μεγάλου Κρανοβουνίου, στην Κομοτηνή, βρέθηκε ο Μητροπολίτης Σηλυβρίας Μάξιμος. Ο Μητροπολίτης Μάξιμος προεξήρχε της πανηγύρεως του Ι.Ναού ενώ είχε την ευκαιρία να συλλειτουργήσει με τον άξιο Ποιμενάρχη, Μητροπολίτη Μαρωνείας και Κομοτηνής Παντελεήμονα, εκ των νεοτέρων και δυναμικών Ιεραρχών του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου.
Patriarch John X of Antioch to the Middle East Council of Churches-excerpts from his address
On 6 September 2016,His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East spoke to the general assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches in Amman,Jordan.The MECC is,in turn,a member of the World Council of Churches.At the general assembly,Patriarch John was elected President of the Orthodox Churches which belong to the Council.There are others who serve as Presidents of the Oriental Orthodox;Catholics;and Evangelicals in the Council.For example,His Holiness Patriarch Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church is President of the Oriental Orthodox.Patriarch John spoke eloquently of their deeply troubled region and of the Middle East Council of Churches' role within it:
We are here to raise our voices against everything done against Christians-and against others,too-in every spot of the East.We are fully aware of what happened to them in Iraq.And we understand the situation in Syria.
We are here to make our cry reach far of our people in Aleppo,Mhardeh and others.What is going on will not make us neglect our land;but it will rather urge us to defend it.We are here to address the whole world in regard to the existence of Christians in the East.We say:we do not appeal to protection;we demand peace.*
The Council is a pattern of open minds through which Eastern Christianity confronts every endeavour to close minds with the protection and sustenance of the Church-civilised heritage of each of its components.We are called to activate the voice of the Council and strengthen it to be continuously the voice for Eastern Christianity at the present time.*
May the Lord bless this East and its countries and give it with the rest of the world a flow of His light and fill the hearts of the participants in this meeting with His abundant and divine mercy,Patriarch John prayed.
We are here to raise our voices against everything done against Christians-and against others,too-in every spot of the East.We are fully aware of what happened to them in Iraq.And we understand the situation in Syria.
We are here to make our cry reach far of our people in Aleppo,Mhardeh and others.What is going on will not make us neglect our land;but it will rather urge us to defend it.We are here to address the whole world in regard to the existence of Christians in the East.We say:we do not appeal to protection;we demand peace.*
The Council is a pattern of open minds through which Eastern Christianity confronts every endeavour to close minds with the protection and sustenance of the Church-civilised heritage of each of its components.We are called to activate the voice of the Council and strengthen it to be continuously the voice for Eastern Christianity at the present time.*
May the Lord bless this East and its countries and give it with the rest of the world a flow of His light and fill the hearts of the participants in this meeting with His abundant and divine mercy,Patriarch John prayed.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Patriarch Bartholomew to Visit Croatia,Mark Jasenovac Death Camp Anniversary
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will visit Zagreb,Croatia this weekend to open a Scientific Conference on the theme of New Martyrs:Polyperspective II on Friday 9 September.The conference is being held at the Serbian Orthodox Grammar School "Katerina Kantakuzina Brankovic."It will bring together experts on this subject matter from such countries as Poland,Russia,Croatia,Israel and Serbia,including historians,sociologists and theologians.*
Patriarch Bartholomew will also on Friday visit the site of the fascist death camp Jasenovac,where about 100,000 Serbs,Jews,Gypsies and anti-fascist ethnic Croats and Muslims were executed from 1941-45 by the fascist and genocidal Ustase regime,which was propped up by Axis powers Germany and Italy.The patriarch will then attend Vespers at the Church of St.Prophet Elijah in Mlaka village with the assembled hierarchs and conference participants.*
On Saturday 10 September,His All-Holiness and His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia will concelebrate the hierarchal Divine Liturgy for the 75th Anniversary of the suffering of the Holy Martyrs of Jasenovac with hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church,Polish Orthodox Church and Romanian Orthodox Church at the Church of the Nativity of St.John the Baptist in Jasenovac.*
Following the liturgy,Patriarch Bartholomew will bless the renovated Bishop's Palace in Pakrac,which is the diocesan headquarters for the Bishop of Slavonia and conference chairman,His Grace Bishop Jovan of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Patriarch Bartholomew will also on Friday visit the site of the fascist death camp Jasenovac,where about 100,000 Serbs,Jews,Gypsies and anti-fascist ethnic Croats and Muslims were executed from 1941-45 by the fascist and genocidal Ustase regime,which was propped up by Axis powers Germany and Italy.The patriarch will then attend Vespers at the Church of St.Prophet Elijah in Mlaka village with the assembled hierarchs and conference participants.*
On Saturday 10 September,His All-Holiness and His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia will concelebrate the hierarchal Divine Liturgy for the 75th Anniversary of the suffering of the Holy Martyrs of Jasenovac with hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church,Polish Orthodox Church and Romanian Orthodox Church at the Church of the Nativity of St.John the Baptist in Jasenovac.*
Following the liturgy,Patriarch Bartholomew will bless the renovated Bishop's Palace in Pakrac,which is the diocesan headquarters for the Bishop of Slavonia and conference chairman,His Grace Bishop Jovan of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Revised:Two New Bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Selected - restoring the Metropolis of Smyrna,aka Izmir,Turkey
In a move to restore a lost Metropolis of Asia Minor,two new hierarchs of the Great Church of Christ at Constantinople have been recommended by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and approved by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.They are the Very Rev. Archimandrite Bartholomew Samaras,who will be consecrated to the episcopacy and enthroned as the new Metropolitan of Smyrna;and the Very Rev. Archimandrite Kirill Sikis,who will be consecrated as the new Bishop of Erythrae and serve as the auxiliary bishop to the Metropolitan of Smyrna.*
Father Bartholomew will be consecrated on 11 September and enthroned on 24 September;while Father Kirill will be consecrated on 25 September by several hierarchs of the Patriarchate and the Church of Greece in St.Voukolos' Church,recently restored after being shuttered for 93 years.*
Father Bartholomew has been serving as Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Secretary to the President of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church.Father Kirill has worked tirelessly to bring back the Church's presence in Smyrna/Izmir.Both men are highly regarded for their devotion to the Church and their loyalty to His All-Holiness personally.*
The consecrations have a great deal of significance in that they are part of an effort to restore a Metropolis in Asia Minor that was destroyed during a Greco-Turkish war in the early part of the twentieth century that ended with a massacre of Greek and Armenian citizens by the Turks.The project is consonant with a general theme of Patriarch Bartholomew's growing legacy of promoting the restoration and conservation of every Church institution,land and building that has fallen in the struggle of Christian Byzantium to survive Islamic rule.
Father Bartholomew will be consecrated on 11 September and enthroned on 24 September;while Father Kirill will be consecrated on 25 September by several hierarchs of the Patriarchate and the Church of Greece in St.Voukolos' Church,recently restored after being shuttered for 93 years.*
Father Bartholomew has been serving as Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Secretary to the President of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church.Father Kirill has worked tirelessly to bring back the Church's presence in Smyrna/Izmir.Both men are highly regarded for their devotion to the Church and their loyalty to His All-Holiness personally.*
The consecrations have a great deal of significance in that they are part of an effort to restore a Metropolis in Asia Minor that was destroyed during a Greco-Turkish war in the early part of the twentieth century that ended with a massacre of Greek and Armenian citizens by the Turks.The project is consonant with a general theme of Patriarch Bartholomew's growing legacy of promoting the restoration and conservation of every Church institution,land and building that has fallen in the struggle of Christian Byzantium to survive Islamic rule.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Thursday, September 1, 2016
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