Friday, November 30, 2018
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Mattis: Actions in Ukraine Show Russia’s Word Cannot Be Trusted
Mattis: Actions in Ukraine Show Russia’s Word Cannot Be Trusted: Russia’s seizure of three Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov in contradiction to signed treaties and the Law of the Sea show that Russia cannot be counted on to keep its word, Defense Secretary James
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Ecumenical Patriarchate Dissolves Western Europe Exarchate for Churches of the Russian Tradition
In a surprise move,the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has dissolved its Western Europe Exarchate for Churches of Russian Tradition.According to a communique,at its meeting on 27 November 2018 in Constantinople,the Synod revoked its Tomos of 1999 that granted pastoral care and administration of Orthodox parishes of Russian tradition to an Archbishop-Exarch.
The communique explains:
This decision responds to the pastoral and spiritual needs of our time,with the greatest respect for canon law and our spiritual responsibility.
Indeed,the historical circumstances that led to its creation of such a structure in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of October 1917,just a hundred years ago,have changed profoundly.*
It is through pastoral solicitude that the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to integrate and connect the parishes to the different Holy Cities of the Patriarchate in the countries where they are located.Our Mother Church will continue to ensure and guarantee the preservation of their liturgical and spiritual tradition.*
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit always be with you,by the prayers of the Most Holy Mother of God and of all the saints.
Phanar,
November 27,2018*
Analysis:The former Exarchate had about 100 parishes serving around 100,000 Orthodox Christians in France,Belgium,the UK and other countries.It also was the home of institutions including the Orthodox Monastery of the Veil of Our Lady at Bussy-en-Othe,France and the celebrated St.Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute,which educated and formed the likes of Father Georges Florovsky,Olivier Clement,and Fathers Alexander Schmemann and John Meyendorff.
Basically,the parishes were becoming less ethnically Russian as many converts from diverse backgrounds increased in number.It no longer made pastoral sense to isolate them from the rest of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in an ethnic enclave.
Now the Russian tradition parishes in France,for example,will be integrated into the Metropolis of France alongside the Greek Orthodox parishes under His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel,while retaining their traditional liturgical practices and spirituality.
These parishes have existed parallel to the Moscow Patriarchate's structure in Western Europe.
The communique explains:
This decision responds to the pastoral and spiritual needs of our time,with the greatest respect for canon law and our spiritual responsibility.
Indeed,the historical circumstances that led to its creation of such a structure in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of October 1917,just a hundred years ago,have changed profoundly.*
It is through pastoral solicitude that the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to integrate and connect the parishes to the different Holy Cities of the Patriarchate in the countries where they are located.Our Mother Church will continue to ensure and guarantee the preservation of their liturgical and spiritual tradition.*
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit always be with you,by the prayers of the Most Holy Mother of God and of all the saints.
Phanar,
November 27,2018*
Analysis:The former Exarchate had about 100 parishes serving around 100,000 Orthodox Christians in France,Belgium,the UK and other countries.It also was the home of institutions including the Orthodox Monastery of the Veil of Our Lady at Bussy-en-Othe,France and the celebrated St.Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute,which educated and formed the likes of Father Georges Florovsky,Olivier Clement,and Fathers Alexander Schmemann and John Meyendorff.
Basically,the parishes were becoming less ethnically Russian as many converts from diverse backgrounds increased in number.It no longer made pastoral sense to isolate them from the rest of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in an ethnic enclave.
Now the Russian tradition parishes in France,for example,will be integrated into the Metropolis of France alongside the Greek Orthodox parishes under His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel,while retaining their traditional liturgical practices and spirituality.
These parishes have existed parallel to the Moscow Patriarchate's structure in Western Europe.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Monday, November 26, 2018
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Archieratical Vespers of St.Iakovos Tsilakis - presided by His Eminence Archbishop Varnavas at Church of the Lifegiving Fountain in Ampelokipoi,Athens - the first observance of the newly-canonised St.Iakovos Tsaliki's feast day - Αρχ. Εσπ. Οσ.Ιακώβου Τσαλίκη-Ι. Ν. Ζωοδόχου Πηγής Αμπελοκήπων 21-11...
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Constantinople Update:Ecumenical Patriarchate Reaffirms Ukraine Plan;Patriarch Bartholomew to Visit Korea
On 19 November 2018,the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople said that,in preparing for the next meeting of the Holy and Sacred Synod from 27-29 November,it reiterates its sacred decision to grant the Tomos of Autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.The communique also states that:
While the preparation process for the Holy Council (SOBOR) of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is underway,the concrete date within December 2018,will be presented for the confirmation and announcement by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
From the Chief Secretariat
of the Holy and Sacred Synod*
It was announced today by the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Orthodox Metropolis of Korea that His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew will make his 4th Official Visit to Korea from 3-8 December 2018.He will serve the Vespers of St.Nicholas on 5 December at the Cathedral in Seoul and the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy there the following day.Also on 6 December,HAH will participate in the Korean Salvation Army's Campaign of Love and will visit the Homeless.
On Friday 7 December,Patriarch Bartholomew will attend the International Symposium on the Environment:Ecology,Theology and Human Dignity in the Orthodox Christian Tradition,which will be held at the Grand Hilton Seoul.*
Analysis:So the date of the Unifying Council of the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine will not be 22 November 2018,but sometime in December.Meanwhile,Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is not obsessed by Ukraine,but will continue with his normal schedule of pastoral visitations,environmental conferences and so on.
While the preparation process for the Holy Council (SOBOR) of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is underway,the concrete date within December 2018,will be presented for the confirmation and announcement by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
From the Chief Secretariat
of the Holy and Sacred Synod*
It was announced today by the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Orthodox Metropolis of Korea that His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew will make his 4th Official Visit to Korea from 3-8 December 2018.He will serve the Vespers of St.Nicholas on 5 December at the Cathedral in Seoul and the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy there the following day.Also on 6 December,HAH will participate in the Korean Salvation Army's Campaign of Love and will visit the Homeless.
On Friday 7 December,Patriarch Bartholomew will attend the International Symposium on the Environment:Ecology,Theology and Human Dignity in the Orthodox Christian Tradition,which will be held at the Grand Hilton Seoul.*
Analysis:So the date of the Unifying Council of the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine will not be 22 November 2018,but sometime in December.Meanwhile,Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is not obsessed by Ukraine,but will continue with his normal schedule of pastoral visitations,environmental conferences and so on.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Bulletin:Ukrainian Church Council Date Set as Metropolitan Emmanuel Sent to Oversee Preparations
Informed sources report a number of new developments in the process of forming the new autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church.Firstly,on 15 November 2018,His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France will arrive in Ukraine to oversee final preparations for the Uninfying Council that will organise the new Church and elect its first Primate.The new Primate will not be titled "Patriarch."Nor will Metropolitan Filaret,formerly Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kiev Patriarchate,or Metropolitan Makariy,formerly head of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church,be on the ballot.At the Ecumenical Patriarchate's request,they have written letters withdrawing themselves from the process.Indeed,they will not even attend the Unifying Council,in order to prevent divisions from forming around them.
Speculation on the first Primate of the new Church centers on Archbishop Job (Getcha) of Telmessos and Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA).Both are hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.Archbishop Daniel was born in Ukraine;while Archbishop Job was born in Montreal,Canada of Ukrainian descent.*
The Unifying Council will be tightly managed.By the time it begins,the texts of both the Charter of the new Church and the Tomos of Autocephaly will have been completed.Furthermore,while the new Church will be independent,the Ecumenical Patriarchate must approve at least the first Primate.In addition,the Government of Ukraine must convey twenty farmsteads claimed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.*
Analysis:If these initial reports are borne out,the new Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be a very disciplined body from its inception.The Ecumenical Patriarchate is being firm and cautious in its approach,as indeed it has been from the beginning of the autocephaly process.It fosters humility as the surest pathway to success.
Speculation on the first Primate of the new Church centers on Archbishop Job (Getcha) of Telmessos and Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA).Both are hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.Archbishop Daniel was born in Ukraine;while Archbishop Job was born in Montreal,Canada of Ukrainian descent.*
The Unifying Council will be tightly managed.By the time it begins,the texts of both the Charter of the new Church and the Tomos of Autocephaly will have been completed.Furthermore,while the new Church will be independent,the Ecumenical Patriarchate must approve at least the first Primate.In addition,the Government of Ukraine must convey twenty farmsteads claimed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.*
Analysis:If these initial reports are borne out,the new Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be a very disciplined body from its inception.The Ecumenical Patriarchate is being firm and cautious in its approach,as indeed it has been from the beginning of the autocephaly process.It fosters humility as the surest pathway to success.
Panorthodox Synod Holodomor Anniversary in Ukraine : PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW APPEALED TO UKRAINIANS ON TH...
Panorthodox Synod : PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW APPEALED TO UKRAINIANS ON TH...: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew made an appeal to the Ukrainian people on the eve of the 85th anniversary of the Holodomor in Ukraine. ...
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
In Greece,Church-State Relations to Begin New Chapter - revised
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece have,in a joint TV appearance from the Maximos Mansion in Athens on 6 November 2018,announced agreement on amendments to Church-State relations in the Hellenic Republic of Greece.The package of constitutional reforms,which was presented to Archbishop Ieronymos and the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece by Mr.Tsipras,will allow the State to become officially neutral in religion;while still affording the Church of Greece a special and officially-recognised role in the life of the nation.
As in the US and other western democracies,the State will not be linked to any particular faith;yet it will recognise that the nation is overwhelmingly Greek Orthodox in orientation (about 98%).As such,it will continue to closely associate with the Church on many levels.While clergy will no longer be part of the civil service,a fixed annual grant of 230 million dollars will be made by the State to cover clergy salaries for the current number of clergy,which is about 10,000;the amount is adjustable based on the average annual salary in the civil service;but,if more clergy are added,the subsidy amount would not increase.Also,the substantial portfolio of Church property claimed by the State before 1939 will now have a fund for the use of the property,with obligations for the fund split evenly between Church and State;and the Church agrees not to file claim to the property.*
On a cultural level,prayer will still begin each school day,and a blessing will still be given by the Church for a new session of Parliament.Religious education will still be provided in the schools.*
Prime Minister Tsipras explained that:
This meeting is the culmination of a dialogue that has gone on for several years,and the common goal was to deal with historical upheavals and the rationalisation of Church-State relations.We are not hiding them,but trying to find a creative way to overcome them.*
For his part,Archbishop Ieronymos said:
This agreement transmits our intention to go one step further in respecting each other.We will move on to a spirit of autonomy and cooperation,making the Church a better servant of the people.*
Analysis:As is to be expected,there are voices of dissent against the agreement both within and outside of the clergy.Yet it seems that,realistically,this is as good a deal for the Church of Greece as it can get in this world of rapid change,and in a Greece striving for unity with its EU partners and NATO Allies,and its place within the broader global community as well.
As in the US and other western democracies,the State will not be linked to any particular faith;yet it will recognise that the nation is overwhelmingly Greek Orthodox in orientation (about 98%).As such,it will continue to closely associate with the Church on many levels.While clergy will no longer be part of the civil service,a fixed annual grant of 230 million dollars will be made by the State to cover clergy salaries for the current number of clergy,which is about 10,000;the amount is adjustable based on the average annual salary in the civil service;but,if more clergy are added,the subsidy amount would not increase.Also,the substantial portfolio of Church property claimed by the State before 1939 will now have a fund for the use of the property,with obligations for the fund split evenly between Church and State;and the Church agrees not to file claim to the property.*
On a cultural level,prayer will still begin each school day,and a blessing will still be given by the Church for a new session of Parliament.Religious education will still be provided in the schools.*
Prime Minister Tsipras explained that:
This meeting is the culmination of a dialogue that has gone on for several years,and the common goal was to deal with historical upheavals and the rationalisation of Church-State relations.We are not hiding them,but trying to find a creative way to overcome them.*
For his part,Archbishop Ieronymos said:
This agreement transmits our intention to go one step further in respecting each other.We will move on to a spirit of autonomy and cooperation,making the Church a better servant of the people.*
Analysis:As is to be expected,there are voices of dissent against the agreement both within and outside of the clergy.Yet it seems that,realistically,this is as good a deal for the Church of Greece as it can get in this world of rapid change,and in a Greece striving for unity with its EU partners and NATO Allies,and its place within the broader global community as well.
Monday, November 5, 2018
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Panorthodox Synod : UKRAINE AND THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE SIGNED AN ...
Panorthodox Synod : UKRAINE AND THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE SIGNED AN ...: The Presidential Administration of Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signed the Agreement &qu...
Historic agreement signed by President Petro Poroshenko and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Cooperation during the process of granting Ukraine autocephaly,ensuring a smooth transition to an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church was signed on 3 November 2018 in Constantinople.Порошенко та Варфоломій підписали історичну угоду про створення незалежн...
Thursday, November 1, 2018
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