Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Friday, December 27, 2019
Patriarch Bartholomew's Itinerary for 2020
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is planning on taking some major trips in 2020.On 15 December 2019,His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine announced that Patriarch Bartholomew would soon be visiting Ukraine.No specific dates were given, but it is fair to assume that the leader of world Orthodoxy will visit Ukraine to mark the first anniversary of the granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on 6 January.*
In May 2020,His All-Holiness intends to visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for the first time in ten years.The trip of about ten days will reportedly include delivering an address at an Ecological Conference;a private meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House; presiding at the graduation ceremony at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts.A visit to the Archdiocese headquarters in New York and a Divine Liturgy at St.Sophia's Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington,D.C. would be other logical events for Patriarch Bartholomew. *
In May 2020,His All-Holiness intends to visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for the first time in ten years.The trip of about ten days will reportedly include delivering an address at an Ecological Conference;a private meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House; presiding at the graduation ceremony at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts.A visit to the Archdiocese headquarters in New York and a Divine Liturgy at St.Sophia's Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington,D.C. would be other logical events for Patriarch Bartholomew. *
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Jerusalem Patriarchate Hierarch Visits Ecumenical Patriarchate
On 8 December 2019,His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Qatar (Patriarchate of Jerusalem) concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Patriarchal Church of St.George in the Phanar, the Patriarchal compound in Constantinople.The service included the ordination to the episcopate of His Grace Bishop Irenaios of Evmeneia,Igumenos (Abbot) of the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels, Crete.Archbishop Makarios had a special interest in the service, being himself a native of Crete.*
Also concelebrating were the following hierarchs:
Arbishop Irenaios,Eparch of the Church of Crete, which is autonomous within the Ecumenical Patriarchate; Metropolitan Theoliptos of Ikonio, Crete; Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalochori, Crete; Metropolitan Damaskinos of Kydonia and Apokoronos, Crete; Metropolitan Stefanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos (Ecumenical Patriarchate); Metropolitan Antonios of Glyfada (Church of Greece); Metropolitan Maximos of Sylivria (Ecumenical Patriarchate); and Metropolitan Kyrill of Ierapitni and Sitia, Crete.*
The previous evening, after the vespers service,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with a delegation from the Eparchial Synod of Crete, including His Grace Bishop Prodromos of Knossos, Chief Secretary; Metropolitan Amphilochios of Kissamos and Selina; Metropolitan Kyrill of Ierapitni and Sitia; and Mr.Dimitrios Milathianakis, legal counsel of the Church of Crete.
Patriarch Bartholomew's delegation included Metropolitan Dimitrios of the Princes Islands, Turkey, Chairman of the Synodal Committee on Eparchies Abroad and Orthodox Mission; Very Reverend Archimandrite Ioakeim,Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Great Church of Christ; and Grand Archdeacon Theodoros, Secretary of the Synodal Committee.
They discussed several matters of mutual concern.*
Analysis: The participation of Archbishop Makarios of Qatar indicates that the Jerusalem Patriarchate is not following Moscow's lead in shunning the Ecumenical Patriarchate for granting autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Also concelebrating were the following hierarchs:
Arbishop Irenaios,Eparch of the Church of Crete, which is autonomous within the Ecumenical Patriarchate; Metropolitan Theoliptos of Ikonio, Crete; Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalochori, Crete; Metropolitan Damaskinos of Kydonia and Apokoronos, Crete; Metropolitan Stefanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos (Ecumenical Patriarchate); Metropolitan Antonios of Glyfada (Church of Greece); Metropolitan Maximos of Sylivria (Ecumenical Patriarchate); and Metropolitan Kyrill of Ierapitni and Sitia, Crete.*
The previous evening, after the vespers service,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with a delegation from the Eparchial Synod of Crete, including His Grace Bishop Prodromos of Knossos, Chief Secretary; Metropolitan Amphilochios of Kissamos and Selina; Metropolitan Kyrill of Ierapitni and Sitia; and Mr.Dimitrios Milathianakis, legal counsel of the Church of Crete.
Patriarch Bartholomew's delegation included Metropolitan Dimitrios of the Princes Islands, Turkey, Chairman of the Synodal Committee on Eparchies Abroad and Orthodox Mission; Very Reverend Archimandrite Ioakeim,Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Great Church of Christ; and Grand Archdeacon Theodoros, Secretary of the Synodal Committee.
They discussed several matters of mutual concern.*
Analysis: The participation of Archbishop Makarios of Qatar indicates that the Jerusalem Patriarchate is not following Moscow's lead in shunning the Ecumenical Patriarchate for granting autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Friday, December 6, 2019
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Monday, December 2, 2019
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Friday, November 29, 2019
Bulgarian Hierarch Concelebrates With Ecumenical Patriarchate in Greece
His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv (Church of Bulgaria) presided the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Sts.Athanasios,Akakios and Damaskinos in the Holy Metropolis of Langada, Greece on 27 November 2019.The Metropolis is among the New Lands of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Greece which the Church of Greece administers for practical reasons by agreement with the Patriarchate. Metropolitan Nikolai concelebrated with His Eminence Metropolitan Ioannis of Langada, which is near Thessaloniki; His Eminence Metropolitan Prokopios of Filippoi,Neapolis and Thasos, which is also in Makedonia; and His Grace Bishop Stefan of Adrianopolis,igumenos (abbot) of the Monastery of St.John of Rila in Bulgaria.*
During the Divine Liturgy, the local dyptichs (list of primates of recognised Churches) were read, containing the name of His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyv and All Ukraine, signifying recognition of the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine's autocephaly.So this is being interpreted as a first step in the Church of Bulgaria's recognition of Ukrainian autocephaly.Indeed,the Russian Interfax news agency saw it that way.A Bulgarian hierarch was presiding a liturgy in one of the New Lands of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,at which the autocephaly of the OCU is clearly recognised.*
During the Divine Liturgy, the local dyptichs (list of primates of recognised Churches) were read, containing the name of His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyv and All Ukraine, signifying recognition of the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine's autocephaly.So this is being interpreted as a first step in the Church of Bulgaria's recognition of Ukrainian autocephaly.Indeed,the Russian Interfax news agency saw it that way.A Bulgarian hierarch was presiding a liturgy in one of the New Lands of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,at which the autocephaly of the OCU is clearly recognised.*
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Ukraine Holodomor Remembrance | U.S. Embassy in Ukraine
Ukraine Holodomor Remembrance | U.S. Embassy in Ukraine: Statement by Morgan Ortagus, State Department Spokesperson November 23, 2019 This November we honor and remember the millions of Ukrainians who perished eighty-six years ago during Holodomor, the catastrophic famine created by the barbaric policies of the Stalin regime. Through the deliberate seizure of Ukrainian land and crops and forced collectivization, the Soviet Union caused ...
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Monday, November 18, 2019
US Ambassador Praises Ecumenical Patriarch, Church of Greece
On 12 November 2019,US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt addressed the symposium "Religion in the Contemporary World: Challenges and Prospects for Dialogue and Peace" at the Armed Forces Club in Athens.The symposium was sponsered by Foreign Affairs The Hellenic Edition magazine; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; and the Holy Archdiocese of Athens.
Ambassador Pyatt noted that:
In the United States, there is deep respect for the Greek Orthodox Church, which played a key role in our civil rights movement and continues to promote our commonly held values of religious freedom and tolerance.
The United States has also long supported the Ecumenical Patriarch, valuing his firm commitment to interfaith dialogue and respecting his strong voice for the West.
In that spirit of understanding,I have greatly appreciated my visits with the Ecumenical Patriarch and was very pleased to accept His All-Holiness's invitation to visit Mt.Athos last year. I found the monastic community there to be a uniquely spiritual place where Greece's rich Orthodox tradition thrives in stunning monasteries and remote sketes,amid a virtually untouched natural landscape.
In America, we look forward greatly to His All-Holiness's planned visit to the United States in May of 2020, where the new Archbishop of America, our friend Elpidophoros, has been doing great work to deepen the already strong people-to-people ties between our countries.*
It is no surprise that malign actors like Russia, China, and Iran,who have different interests and values, engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom.*
We see the Church of Greece's support of the Ecumenical Patriarch's decision to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as an example of His All-Holiness's moral courage and leadership.*
Russia is using religion as part of its hybrid warfare strategy, as a tool to achieve political objectives and spread false narratives.By competing with the Ecumenical Patriarch, Russia is trying to use the Church as a wedge to foment instability and undermine democracy.And just as Moscow manipulates energy resources to extract political concessions and high prices, it's now cutting off tourism and sacred practices, like commemoration in prayers, from countries that are not toeing its political line.*
Orthodoxy preserved Hellenism through Ottoman occupation and has been key to keeping Greek society together during the economic crisis.*
Ambassador Pyatt noted that:
In the United States, there is deep respect for the Greek Orthodox Church, which played a key role in our civil rights movement and continues to promote our commonly held values of religious freedom and tolerance.
The United States has also long supported the Ecumenical Patriarch, valuing his firm commitment to interfaith dialogue and respecting his strong voice for the West.
In that spirit of understanding,I have greatly appreciated my visits with the Ecumenical Patriarch and was very pleased to accept His All-Holiness's invitation to visit Mt.Athos last year. I found the monastic community there to be a uniquely spiritual place where Greece's rich Orthodox tradition thrives in stunning monasteries and remote sketes,amid a virtually untouched natural landscape.
In America, we look forward greatly to His All-Holiness's planned visit to the United States in May of 2020, where the new Archbishop of America, our friend Elpidophoros, has been doing great work to deepen the already strong people-to-people ties between our countries.*
It is no surprise that malign actors like Russia, China, and Iran,who have different interests and values, engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom.*
We see the Church of Greece's support of the Ecumenical Patriarch's decision to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as an example of His All-Holiness's moral courage and leadership.*
Russia is using religion as part of its hybrid warfare strategy, as a tool to achieve political objectives and spread false narratives.By competing with the Ecumenical Patriarch, Russia is trying to use the Church as a wedge to foment instability and undermine democracy.And just as Moscow manipulates energy resources to extract political concessions and high prices, it's now cutting off tourism and sacred practices, like commemoration in prayers, from countries that are not toeing its political line.*
Orthodoxy preserved Hellenism through Ottoman occupation and has been key to keeping Greek society together during the economic crisis.*
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Friday, November 15, 2019
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Blessing of the Church of St. Katherine in Amsterdam by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on 5 November 2019. The church was donated to the Metropolis of Belgium, Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxembourg by the Catholic Church. στον Ναό της Αγίας Αικατερίνης από τον Οικουμενικό Πατρ...
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Friday, November 8, 2019
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Monday, November 4, 2019
Sheparding Western Europe: Ecumenical Patriarch to the Benelux - Updated
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is embarking on an extended visit to the Benelux, arriving in Amsterdam on 5 November 2019.It is his first visit to the Metropolis of Belgium,Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxembourg in 25 years.The journey marks the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Metropolis by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.*
Leading the Metropolis today is His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras.It consists of 39 parishes in the Benelux Region.Metropolitan Athenagoras is the permanent Representative of all Orthodox to the governments of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.He also is Chairman of the Orthodox Bishops' Conference of Benelux (CEOB), which was created by a decision of the 4th Pan-Orthodox Pre-Conciliar Conference in Chambesy, Geneva, Switzerland in June 2009.Members of CEOB will meet with Patriarch Bartholomew during his visit.*
Patriarch Bartholomew will visit Dutch parishes, including St.Katherine in Amsterdam and St.Nicholas in Rotterdam,as well as attend an Ecological Symposium.*
On 10 November, the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy will be served for the fiftieth anniversary of the Metropolis at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Brussels.After the liturgy,a reception and luncheon will be held.On 11 November,a Gala dinner for the anniversary will take place in Brussels at the Steigenberger Wiltehers,Loui Bar and Restaurant at 7:30 pm.*
The Patriarchal visit to the Benelux will conclude in the Duchy of Luxembourg on 14 November.*
Update:
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in Amsterdam on 5 November.He spoke at the International Water Week ecological symposium and consecrated the Church of St.Katherine.*
Leading the Metropolis today is His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras.It consists of 39 parishes in the Benelux Region.Metropolitan Athenagoras is the permanent Representative of all Orthodox to the governments of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.He also is Chairman of the Orthodox Bishops' Conference of Benelux (CEOB), which was created by a decision of the 4th Pan-Orthodox Pre-Conciliar Conference in Chambesy, Geneva, Switzerland in June 2009.Members of CEOB will meet with Patriarch Bartholomew during his visit.*
Patriarch Bartholomew will visit Dutch parishes, including St.Katherine in Amsterdam and St.Nicholas in Rotterdam,as well as attend an Ecological Symposium.*
On 10 November, the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy will be served for the fiftieth anniversary of the Metropolis at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Brussels.After the liturgy,a reception and luncheon will be held.On 11 November,a Gala dinner for the anniversary will take place in Brussels at the Steigenberger Wiltehers,Loui Bar and Restaurant at 7:30 pm.*
The Patriarchal visit to the Benelux will conclude in the Duchy of Luxembourg on 14 November.*
Update:
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in Amsterdam on 5 November.He spoke at the International Water Week ecological symposium and consecrated the Church of St.Katherine.*
Leaders the Patriarch will meet during his visit to the Benelux include King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands;King Phillipe of Belgium; Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg; and the Vice-President of the European Commission Margarita Schinas.*On 14 November, Patriarch Bartholomew will depart Luxembourg for Venice, where he will address a Byzantine studies conference on "Ecumenical Hellenism in Venice".Finally,he will arrive back in Constantinople on 16 November.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Metropolitan John of Pergamon Receives Honourary Degree in Republic of Georgia
His Eminence Elder Metropolitan John of Pergamon (Ecumenical Patriarchate) has received an honourary doctorate from New Georgian University in Poti, Georgia.The honour was conferred by the Council of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences for Metropolitan John's special contributions to the development and promotion of Orthodox theology.*
The degree was presented to Metropolitan John by His Eminence Metropolitan Professor Dr.Grigoli of Poti and Khobi (Church of Georgia).At the award ceremony,His Eminence Elder Metropolitan John spoke on the topic "Orthodox Theology and Modern Anthropology".
Analysis:The fact that a hierarch of the Church of Georgia presented an award to a hierarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate suggests that the Church of Georgia does not take a dim view of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The degree was presented to Metropolitan John by His Eminence Metropolitan Professor Dr.Grigoli of Poti and Khobi (Church of Georgia).At the award ceremony,His Eminence Elder Metropolitan John spoke on the topic "Orthodox Theology and Modern Anthropology".
Analysis:The fact that a hierarch of the Church of Georgia presented an award to a hierarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate suggests that the Church of Georgia does not take a dim view of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Bulletin:Ecumenical Patriarchate and Moscow Patriarchate Meet in New Jersey
On 23 October 2019,a surprise meeting took place between His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America (Ecumenical Patriarchate) and His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk (Moscow Patriarchate) and His Eminence Archbishop Joseph of New York (Patriarchate of Antioch). The luncheon and dialogue took place at the Antiochian Archdiocese headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.*
Following the luncheon, the hierarchs discussed the current situation in the Orthodox world.As well, Archbishop Elpidophoros and Metropolitan Hilarion exchanged gifts described as "meaningful". The two patriarchates had been estranged when the Ecumenical Patriarchate granted autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine over Moscow's objections.
Following the luncheon, the hierarchs discussed the current situation in the Orthodox world.As well, Archbishop Elpidophoros and Metropolitan Hilarion exchanged gifts described as "meaningful". The two patriarchates had been estranged when the Ecumenical Patriarchate granted autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine over Moscow's objections.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
19 October 2019 - Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the fifth century Church of the Panagia Acheiropoiitou in Thessaloniki - concelebrated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece -At this service, the Church of Greece added the name of His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine to the list of Primates of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches - υργία Ι. Ν. Παναγίας Αχειροποιήτου Θεσσαλονίκης19-...
Monday, October 21, 2019
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Major Events Highlight Ukraine and its New Orthodox Church
A swirl of important events this weekend are highlighting Ukraine and its new autocephalous Church.First, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in Thessaloniki, Greece on 18 October 2019.The next day at the ancient fifth century Church of the Panagia Acheiropoietos,he concelebrated the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy with His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece,at which the name of His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv and All Ukraine was inscribed by Archbishop Ieronymos in the Dyptichs of the Church of Greece, the list of Primates of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches.
Metropolitan Epifaniy could not attend as he had to be in New York to receive a high honour for his courageous effort for religious freedom, the 2019 Athenagoras Human Rights Award,from the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,a group of lay leaders pledged to defend the Patriarchate and religious freedom worldwide.*
The Ukrainian World Congress sent a message expressing sincerest thanks to Archbishop Ieronymos for leading the Church of Greece to this momentous juncture, being the first Orthodox Church to recognise the Ukrainian autocephaly.As Patriarch Bartholomew stated later in the day at the blessing of the renovated Chapel of St.Eleftherios in the Heptakyrgion Castle:
The hope of freedom is never imprisoned.*
At the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Bartholomew said:
We look forward to the visit of Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv.Our Ukrainian brothers will see that the Greeks, who taught them the
Christian faith,as well as to read and to write, will welcome them with open arms.We want them to feel real love.from our side.
The greatness of our history mainly depends on the future.The Greek Community is able to survive in this world under the condition that we respect our past.*
As for his part, Metropolitan Anthimos noted that:
Thessaloniki is the symbol of the Greek Community since ancient times.This place expresses all of its history by Hellenism.With great pain and effort the archeological service, with the support of the priests and my participation, brought this ancestral place the glory which is the pride of all Macedonia and beyond.Today will remain in history as a very promising one for our spiritual problems, our historical issues, and our vision of a united and dedicated Greece.*
Metropolitan Epifaniy could not attend as he had to be in New York to receive a high honour for his courageous effort for religious freedom, the 2019 Athenagoras Human Rights Award,from the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,a group of lay leaders pledged to defend the Patriarchate and religious freedom worldwide.*
The Ukrainian World Congress sent a message expressing sincerest thanks to Archbishop Ieronymos for leading the Church of Greece to this momentous juncture, being the first Orthodox Church to recognise the Ukrainian autocephaly.As Patriarch Bartholomew stated later in the day at the blessing of the renovated Chapel of St.Eleftherios in the Heptakyrgion Castle:
The hope of freedom is never imprisoned.*
At the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Bartholomew said:
We look forward to the visit of Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv.Our Ukrainian brothers will see that the Greeks, who taught them the
Christian faith,as well as to read and to write, will welcome them with open arms.We want them to feel real love.from our side.
The greatness of our history mainly depends on the future.The Greek Community is able to survive in this world under the condition that we respect our past.*
As for his part, Metropolitan Anthimos noted that:
Thessaloniki is the symbol of the Greek Community since ancient times.This place expresses all of its history by Hellenism.With great pain and effort the archeological service, with the support of the priests and my participation, brought this ancestral place the glory which is the pride of all Macedonia and beyond.Today will remain in history as a very promising one for our spiritual problems, our historical issues, and our vision of a united and dedicated Greece.*
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Bulletin:In Dramatic Session,Church of Greece Reaches Decision on Ukraine
The Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece has recognised the autocephaly,or independence,of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.After discussing the matter on Saturday morning,in light of the fact that His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece formally recommended the course of recognition,and that several study groups of the Standing Synod also found it to be a canonical act,the assembled bishops approved of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's granting of independence to the new Church.*
Several bishops complained about Russian pressure on them to reject the autocephaly.In the end,however,they stood by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and became the first of the 14 autocephalous Orthodox Churches to do so,thus paving the way for others to follow suit.*
The recognition will be spiritually enacted in the form of a Divine Liturgy in Thessaloniki,Greece on 19 October 2019,concelebrated by Archbishop Ieronymos and His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv and All Ukraine.*
In a telephone call,Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew thanked Archbishop Ieronymos for his support.*
The Church of Greece also recognised the independence of the nation of Ukraine in the extraordinary session of the Synod of the Hierarchy.
Several bishops complained about Russian pressure on them to reject the autocephaly.In the end,however,they stood by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and became the first of the 14 autocephalous Orthodox Churches to do so,thus paving the way for others to follow suit.*
The recognition will be spiritually enacted in the form of a Divine Liturgy in Thessaloniki,Greece on 19 October 2019,concelebrated by Archbishop Ieronymos and His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv and All Ukraine.*
In a telephone call,Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew thanked Archbishop Ieronymos for his support.*
The Church of Greece also recognised the independence of the nation of Ukraine in the extraordinary session of the Synod of the Hierarchy.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Archbishop of Athens Calls Extraordinary Session to Discuss Ukraine
His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece has summoned an extraordinary session of the Synod of the Hierarchy, that is,all of the Church of Greece's bishops, to consider the matter of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's autocephaly on 12 October 2019.This is being added to the Synod's regular fall session from 9-11 October that is discussing such matters as the demographic crisis in Greece and electing new Metropolitans.*
The Standing Synod,a committee of bishops that meets between plenary sessions,has already acknowledged the Ecumenical Patriarch's right to grant autocephaly,and the Archbishop of Athens' right to handle the Ukraine issue as he sees fit.Archbshop Ieronymos then chose to submit the matter to the Synod of the Hierarchy.*
The Standing Synod,a committee of bishops that meets between plenary sessions,has already acknowledged the Ecumenical Patriarch's right to grant autocephaly,and the Archbishop of Athens' right to handle the Ukraine issue as he sees fit.Archbshop Ieronymos then chose to submit the matter to the Synod of the Hierarchy.*
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Romanian Archbishop Leads Pilgrimage to Constantinople
From 12-21 September 2019, His Eminence Archbishop Ciprian of Buzau and Vrancea led a group of about 30 Romanian pilgrims, including clergy,nuns and laity to Turkey.Among their stops was a visit to Constantinople, where they were received with joy by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his affection and personal ties to the Romanian Orthodox Church and the people of Romania.For his part, Archbishop Ciprian presented the Patriarch with a hand-painted icon of the patron saint of his Archdiocese,St.Sava the Goth of Buzau.*
Archbishop Ciprian also presided the Divine Liturgy of the Exaltation of the Precious and Lifegiving Cross on 14 September at the Church of St.Paraskevi, the Romanian Orthodox church in Constantinople.The pilgrims went on to sites such as the Church of St.Mary at Blachernae: Cappadocia;Konya; and Efesos (Ephesus) in Turkey.*
Buzau is a city of about 115,000 in Buzau County, Southeast Romania, between the Carpathian Mountains and the Baragan Plain.Vrancea County is just north of Buzau.
Archbishop Ciprian also presided the Divine Liturgy of the Exaltation of the Precious and Lifegiving Cross on 14 September at the Church of St.Paraskevi, the Romanian Orthodox church in Constantinople.The pilgrims went on to sites such as the Church of St.Mary at Blachernae: Cappadocia;Konya; and Efesos (Ephesus) in Turkey.*
Buzau is a city of about 115,000 in Buzau County, Southeast Romania, between the Carpathian Mountains and the Baragan Plain.Vrancea County is just north of Buzau.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Friday, September 27, 2019
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Begins Visit to Sweden
On 27 September 2019, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Sweden for a five-day official visit marking the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Holy Metropolis of Sweden and All Scandinavia.He was invited by His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia.Among those accompanying His All-Holiness are His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios of Canada;His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia;and Mr.Panteleimon Vigas, principal lay advisor to the Patriarch.*
On 29 September, Patriarch Bartholomew will preside the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St.
George in Stockholm, followed by the blessing of the renovated Metropolis headquarters, including the Museum of Hellenic-Christian Heritage; the Archive of Heirlooms; library;parish offices;and children's playground.Then the Patriarch will be honoured at a reception in the Cathedral Fellowship Hall.*
During his stay, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will also meet with His Majesty King Karl XVI Gustaf of Sweden; Prime Minister Stefan Lofven; Speaker of Parliament Andreas Norlen;and leaders of the Church of Sweden (Lutheran),Roman Catholic and other Eastern Churches."*
On 24 September, Patriarch Bartholomew co-signed an op-ed on Climate Justice for the Dayens Nyheler newspaper with head of the Church of Sweden Archbishop Antje Jackelen.The op-ed concluded:
The climate deadline is coming ever closer.Indecision and negligence are the language of death.We must choose life.*
On 29 September, Patriarch Bartholomew will preside the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St.
George in Stockholm, followed by the blessing of the renovated Metropolis headquarters, including the Museum of Hellenic-Christian Heritage; the Archive of Heirlooms; library;parish offices;and children's playground.Then the Patriarch will be honoured at a reception in the Cathedral Fellowship Hall.*
During his stay, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will also meet with His Majesty King Karl XVI Gustaf of Sweden; Prime Minister Stefan Lofven; Speaker of Parliament Andreas Norlen;and leaders of the Church of Sweden (Lutheran),Roman Catholic and other Eastern Churches."*
On 24 September, Patriarch Bartholomew co-signed an op-ed on Climate Justice for the Dayens Nyheler newspaper with head of the Church of Sweden Archbishop Antje Jackelen.The op-ed concluded:
The climate deadline is coming ever closer.Indecision and negligence are the language of death.We must choose life.*
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Monday, September 23, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Begins Major Visit to Italy
On 15 September 2019, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew departs from Athens, where he attended a baptism, for Rome and the start of a five-day visit.On 16 September, he will deliver the keynote address at the 24th International Congress of the Society for the Law of the Eastern Churches, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.Patriarch Bartholomew will speak on the theme "Society for the Law of the Eastern Churches 50 years later and the Ecumenical Movement". Following his address, he will attend Vespers and a reception in his honour by the Holy Metropolis of Italy and Malta.
The Society says its organisational centre is the Department for Legal Philosophy,Law of Religion and Culture (former Institute for Canon Law) of the Viennese Faculty of Law.Its purpose is the promotion of better international and inter-confessional scholarly collaboration among specialists of the Law of the Eastern Churches and of the Civil Law on Churches insofar as it concerns the Eastern Churches.His All-Holiness is a founding member of the Society.*
On 17 September, Patriarch Bartholomew will meet with His Holiness Pope Francis in the Vatican.From 18-20 September, Patriarch Bartholomew will conduct an official visit to Calabria, Sicily on the occasion of the Centenary of the establishment of the Italo-Albanese Eparchy of Lungro, which is a Byzantine Rite diocese of the Catholic Church.The Eparchy was created in 1919 for emigrants from Albania and Epirus.
According to the Eparchy:
In a few days Calabria will witness an historic event of grace.On Wednesday 18 will land at Lemezia Terme Airport His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople.He will arrive in Calabria after having met with Pope Francis, with whom he is working intensely in steps of rapprochement between the Catholic and Orthodox brothers, so that may resound as soon as possible in the universe,in a unified way, the glory that is appropriate to God.*
The Most Reverend Donato Oliverio is the Bishop of Lungro.*
The Society says its organisational centre is the Department for Legal Philosophy,Law of Religion and Culture (former Institute for Canon Law) of the Viennese Faculty of Law.Its purpose is the promotion of better international and inter-confessional scholarly collaboration among specialists of the Law of the Eastern Churches and of the Civil Law on Churches insofar as it concerns the Eastern Churches.His All-Holiness is a founding member of the Society.*
On 17 September, Patriarch Bartholomew will meet with His Holiness Pope Francis in the Vatican.From 18-20 September, Patriarch Bartholomew will conduct an official visit to Calabria, Sicily on the occasion of the Centenary of the establishment of the Italo-Albanese Eparchy of Lungro, which is a Byzantine Rite diocese of the Catholic Church.The Eparchy was created in 1919 for emigrants from Albania and Epirus.
According to the Eparchy:
In a few days Calabria will witness an historic event of grace.On Wednesday 18 will land at Lemezia Terme Airport His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople.He will arrive in Calabria after having met with Pope Francis, with whom he is working intensely in steps of rapprochement between the Catholic and Orthodox brothers, so that may resound as soon as possible in the universe,in a unified way, the glory that is appropriate to God.*
The Most Reverend Donato Oliverio is the Bishop of Lungro.*
Friday, September 13, 2019
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Trump Cabinet Member Visits Ecumenical Patriarchate
On 8 September 2019,US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Patriarchal compound, the Phanar,in Constantinople.He was welcomed in accordance with the Phanar's protocol.Mr.Ross was joined by his wife,society writer and editor Hilary Geary; new US Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield; and many politicians and US Government officials.
The life and initiatives of the Great Church of Christ;
The diaspora;
The Orthodox faithful in Turkey;
The use of the former Orphanage on the Princes' Islands;
Orthodoxy in the USA and the enthronement of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America;
The Patriarchate's dialogue with other Christians and other religions;
The Patriarchate's environmental ministry.*
Following the talks with Patriarch Bartholomew,Mr.Ross and his wife took a tour of the Patriarchal Church of St.George led by Deacon Niphon.*
Mr.Ross had previously welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros to America and held talks with him.*
Typically a US President sends the Vice President to the Patriarchate.Instead, President Trump sent his longtime friend Wilbur Ross to further relations with the Great Church of Christ at Constantinople.*The extensive discussions with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew included:
The life and initiatives of the Great Church of Christ;
The diaspora;
The Orthodox faithful in Turkey;
The use of the former Orphanage on the Princes' Islands;
Orthodoxy in the USA and the enthronement of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America;
The Patriarchate's dialogue with other Christians and other religions;
The Patriarchate's environmental ministry.*
Following the talks with Patriarch Bartholomew,Mr.Ross and his wife took a tour of the Patriarchal Church of St.George led by Deacon Niphon.*
Mr.Ross had previously welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros to America and held talks with him.*
Monday, September 9, 2019
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Bulletin:Church of Greece Moves Toward Recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine
In a crucial first step,the Holy Standing Synod of the Church of Greece has recognised that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's granting of autocephaly,or independence,to the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine,was canonical.His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece will now raise the issue for consideration by the full Holy Synod at its October session.*
The official statement of the Standing Synod reads as follows:
Following the proposal by the Synodic Committees on Dogmatic and Legislative Issues and Inter-Orthodox and Inter-Christian Relations,the Holy Standing Synod recognises the Ecumenical Patriarch's canonical right to issue the status of autocephaly as well as the privilege of the Primate of the Church of Greece to further deal with the recognition of the Church of Ukraine. *
The Holy Standing Synod is a preparatory body for the full Holy Synod.*
In a related development,a leading theologian of the Church of Greece,His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia,has recently expressed his approval of the granting of autocephaly to the OCU.*
The official statement of the Standing Synod reads as follows:
Following the proposal by the Synodic Committees on Dogmatic and Legislative Issues and Inter-Orthodox and Inter-Christian Relations,the Holy Standing Synod recognises the Ecumenical Patriarch's canonical right to issue the status of autocephaly as well as the privilege of the Primate of the Church of Greece to further deal with the recognition of the Church of Ukraine. *
The Holy Standing Synod is a preparatory body for the full Holy Synod.*
In a related development,a leading theologian of the Church of Greece,His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia,has recently expressed his approval of the granting of autocephaly to the OCU.*
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Panorthodox Synod : HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW ...
Panorthodox Synod : HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW ...: Ecumenical Patriarchate His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Statement on the Global Wildfires In recent weeks, our...
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Ecumenical Patriarch to Celebrate Divine Liturgy in Ancient Monastery of Asia Minor - revised and updated
On 23 August 2019,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will celebrate the Divine Liturgy of the Apodosis (leave-taking) of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary in the ruins of the ancient Monastery of the Panagia Faneromeni in Kyzikos,Artaki,Turkey.The Dormition was the patronal feast of the Monastery.Today the Marian icon Panagia Faneromeni is kept at the Patriarchal Church of St.George in Constantinople.*
Accompanying Patriarch Bartholomew are His Grace Bishop Kyrillos of Erythres;His Grace Bishop Amvrosios of Evdokia;and several other clerics of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.It will be the fifth Divine Liturgy His All-Holiness has celebrated in the sacred remains of the Monastery Panagia Faneromeni.
Also attending will be the Mayor of Artaki,the Honourable Mr.Huseyin Sari.*
Kyzikos was an historic Hellenic town in Anatolia,Asia Minor,located in what is today Balikesir Province,Turkey.Mr.Petros Podaras and Mr.Ioannis Rizos are leading an effort to have Kyzikos maintained and promoted by the competent Turkish authorities,as they have done for other Orthodox sites in Asia Minor.
Update:The Divine Liturgy was successfully held for the fifth time at the Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni in Kyzikos,Artaki,Turkey.Several dozen pilgrims attended the service as the sun shone upon the stone walls and woodland of the Monastery.After the Liturgy,the Daphnes female choir performed a concert.
Accompanying Patriarch Bartholomew are His Grace Bishop Kyrillos of Erythres;His Grace Bishop Amvrosios of Evdokia;and several other clerics of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.It will be the fifth Divine Liturgy His All-Holiness has celebrated in the sacred remains of the Monastery Panagia Faneromeni.
Also attending will be the Mayor of Artaki,the Honourable Mr.Huseyin Sari.*
Kyzikos was an historic Hellenic town in Anatolia,Asia Minor,located in what is today Balikesir Province,Turkey.Mr.Petros Podaras and Mr.Ioannis Rizos are leading an effort to have Kyzikos maintained and promoted by the competent Turkish authorities,as they have done for other Orthodox sites in Asia Minor.
Update:The Divine Liturgy was successfully held for the fifth time at the Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni in Kyzikos,Artaki,Turkey.Several dozen pilgrims attended the service as the sun shone upon the stone walls and woodland of the Monastery.After the Liturgy,the Daphnes female choir performed a concert.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Friday, August 9, 2019
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Ecumenical Patriarch Visits Turkish Mayor,Nursing Home
On 7 August 2019,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the new Mayor of Silivri,Turkey Mr.Volkan Yilmaz.Silivri is a holiday resort of about 76,000 permanent residents in Istanbul Province on the Sea of Marmara.Accompanying the Patriarch on the courtesy call were His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France;His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Silivri;and Mr.Dimitar Atanasov,advisor and legal counsel to the Great Church of Christ at Constantinople.The talks were held in a cordial atmosphere.*
Later in the day,Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Balikili Charities Nursing Home in Istanbul next to the Balikli Hospital.Both institutions continue to serve the small Greek population of Constantinople.In the Nursing Home's well-appointed Church of the Holy Unmercenaries,HAH served the Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos and a Trisagion,or brief memorial service,for His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi and Serantion,who died peacefully today at the Vlatadon Monastery in Thessaloniki,Greece at the age of 90.He had been the longtime igoumenos (abbot) of the Monastery and his successor,His Grace Bishop Nikiforos of Amorion,was at his bedside.Aionia imnimi,Memory eternal.*
Thessaloniki is one of the New Lands of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,but for practical reasons is administered by the Church of Greece.
Later in the day,Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Balikili Charities Nursing Home in Istanbul next to the Balikli Hospital.Both institutions continue to serve the small Greek population of Constantinople.In the Nursing Home's well-appointed Church of the Holy Unmercenaries,HAH served the Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos and a Trisagion,or brief memorial service,for His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi and Serantion,who died peacefully today at the Vlatadon Monastery in Thessaloniki,Greece at the age of 90.He had been the longtime igoumenos (abbot) of the Monastery and his successor,His Grace Bishop Nikiforos of Amorion,was at his bedside.Aionia imnimi,Memory eternal.*
Thessaloniki is one of the New Lands of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,but for practical reasons is administered by the Church of Greece.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
Friday, July 19, 2019
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Monday, July 15, 2019
Archbishop Elpidophoros Arrives in Washington for State Department Event
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has arrived in Washington,D.C. to participate in the U.S. Department of State's Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.The forum runs from 16-18 July 2019.Archbishop Elpidophoros,who is based at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's headquarters in New York,was invited to the Ministerial by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback.Also attending will be His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine.*
His Eminence will speak at the Breakout Session on Atrocity Prevention-Protecting Vulnerable Religious Minorities in Conflict and Crisis Settings,which is being held at the State Department's Burns Auditorium on 17 July from 1:15-2:45 pm.Moderating the session will be Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Conflict & Stabilization Denise Natali.*
U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence will address the Ministerial on the closing day.
His Eminence will speak at the Breakout Session on Atrocity Prevention-Protecting Vulnerable Religious Minorities in Conflict and Crisis Settings,which is being held at the State Department's Burns Auditorium on 17 July from 1:15-2:45 pm.Moderating the session will be Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Conflict & Stabilization Denise Natali.*
U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence will address the Ministerial on the closing day.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Monday, July 1, 2019
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Monday, June 24, 2019
Analysis:Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America Accompanies Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Annual Pilgrimage
In a move that must have been painful to the Patriarchate of Moscow,His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon,Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada (Orthodox Church in America),accompanied His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on the Patriarch's annual pilgrimage to Cappadocia,Turkey.The two Orthodox leaders concelebrated the Divine Liturgy of All Saints Day at the ruins of the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Avanos,Cappadocia.
The Patriarchate of Moscow has to be feeling increasingly isolated in its harsh reaction,conditioned by its close alliance with the regime of Vladimir Putin,to the Ecumenical Patriarchate's grant of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine,going so far as to sever communion with its Mother Church in Constantinople,alone among the autocephalous Orthodox Churches to do so.*
Metropolitan Tikhon,leader of the former Russian Metropolia in America,now known as the OCA,has previously visited the Phanar,the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul,Turkey,where he was cordially received by Patriarch Bartholomew.Their joint pilgrimage to Cappadocia carries their relationship to a new level of warmth.
At the Divine Liturgy for All Saints Day on 23 June 2019,Patriarch Bartholomew also ordained a deacon.Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Tikhon had traveled to Cappadocia together on 22 June.
The Patriarchate of Moscow has to be feeling increasingly isolated in its harsh reaction,conditioned by its close alliance with the regime of Vladimir Putin,to the Ecumenical Patriarchate's grant of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine,going so far as to sever communion with its Mother Church in Constantinople,alone among the autocephalous Orthodox Churches to do so.*
Metropolitan Tikhon,leader of the former Russian Metropolia in America,now known as the OCA,has previously visited the Phanar,the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul,Turkey,where he was cordially received by Patriarch Bartholomew.Their joint pilgrimage to Cappadocia carries their relationship to a new level of warmth.
At the Divine Liturgy for All Saints Day on 23 June 2019,Patriarch Bartholomew also ordained a deacon.Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Tikhon had traveled to Cappadocia together on 22 June.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
The Enthronement of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America - attending is His Grace Bishop Irenej of Eastern America (Patriarchate of Serbia) and other members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America - video begins at 12:35 on the video clock - Archbishop Elpidophoros enters with His Eminence Metropolitan Avgoustinos of Germany and kisses his mother,who is there with his father.
Friday, June 21, 2019
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Metropolitan Emmanuel of France Visits Cyprus for St.Barnabas Day
On 11 June 2019,the Feast of the Holy Apostle Barnabas,founder of the Church of Cyprus,was observed with a Divine Liturgy at the Church of St.Barnabas in Dasoupolis,Nicosia,Cyprus,concelebrated by His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of New Justiniana and All Cyprus and several other hierarchs,including:
His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France (Ecumenical Patriarchate);
His Eminence Metropolitan Isaias of Tomassos and Oreini (Church of Cyprus);
His Grace Bishop Nikodimos of Nitria (Patriarchate of Alexandria);
and several other clerics.*
At the liturgy's conclusion,Metropolitan Emmanuel read a congratulatory message from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew of Constantinople.In response,Archbishop Chrysostomos warmly expressed his gratitude for the message and Metropolitan Emmanuel's visit,and his love for Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Great Church of Christ at Constantinople,which,Archbishop Chrysostomos noted,has repeatedly supported the Church of Cyprus.
His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France (Ecumenical Patriarchate);
His Eminence Metropolitan Isaias of Tomassos and Oreini (Church of Cyprus);
His Grace Bishop Nikodimos of Nitria (Patriarchate of Alexandria);
and several other clerics.*
At the liturgy's conclusion,Metropolitan Emmanuel read a congratulatory message from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew of Constantinople.In response,Archbishop Chrysostomos warmly expressed his gratitude for the message and Metropolitan Emmanuel's visit,and his love for Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Great Church of Christ at Constantinople,which,Archbishop Chrysostomos noted,has repeatedly supported the Church of Cyprus.
Monday, June 10, 2019
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Friday, June 7, 2019
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Monday, June 3, 2019
Panorthodox Synod :Halki Summit III KEYNOTE ADDRESS by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Pat...
Panorthodox Synod : KEYNOTE ADDRESS by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Pat...: Ecumenical Patriarchate Your Eminences, Distinguished speakers and participants, Esteemed guests, Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!...
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Friday, May 31, 2019
Ecumenical Patriarch Leads Halki Summit III Eco-Conference - scholars from several Orthodox Churches attend
Hia All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is hosting the third Halki Summit,which is being held at an international hotel in Istanbul,Turkey.The series of environmental conferences is named for the Halki School of Theology on Heybeliada Island,Turkey,where Halki I was held.*
Halki Summit III is an inter-Orthodox working conference.Prominent environmental theologians from Orthodox,Roman Catholic and Protestant institutions will discuss ways that ecological awareness can be fostered and advanced in Orthodox institutions around the world by means of courses and other programs related to creation care,the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a press release.*
Halki Summit III runs from 31 May to 4 June 2019.Its theme is "Theological Formation and Ecological Awareness."Around 50 delegates from 40 institutions will participate.The keynote speakers are His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and His Eminence Elder Metropolitan John of Pergamon (Ecumenical Patriarchate).Among the other participants are:
His Grace Bishop Ignatije of Branicevo (Serbian Orthodox Church);Dr.Eleni Antonopoulou,Aristotle University of Thessaloniki;Dr.Celia Deane-Drummond,University of Notre Dame;Very Reverend Andriy Dudchenko,Kiyiv Orthodox Theological Academy (Orthodox Church of Ukraine);Dr.Michael Evans,Southern New Hampshire University;Nathan Hoppe,Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy (Orthodox Church of Albania);Reverend Deacon Irakli Jinjolava,Tbilisi Theological Academy (Orthodox Church of Georgia);Bogdan Nacsiu,Orthodox Archdiocese of Timisoara (Orthodox Church of Romania);Nikolaos Papachristou,journalist;Dr.Svet Ribolov,Sofia University (St.Kliment Ohridshi);Reverend Dr. Kyprianos Kountouris,Theological School of the Church of Cyprus;and several others.*
Halki Summit III is co-sponsored by St.Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Orthodox Church in America);Holy Cross Orthodox School of Theology (Ecumenical Patriarchate);and Archon Peter Vlitas.
Halki Summit III is an inter-Orthodox working conference.Prominent environmental theologians from Orthodox,Roman Catholic and Protestant institutions will discuss ways that ecological awareness can be fostered and advanced in Orthodox institutions around the world by means of courses and other programs related to creation care,the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a press release.*
Halki Summit III runs from 31 May to 4 June 2019.Its theme is "Theological Formation and Ecological Awareness."Around 50 delegates from 40 institutions will participate.The keynote speakers are His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and His Eminence Elder Metropolitan John of Pergamon (Ecumenical Patriarchate).Among the other participants are:
His Grace Bishop Ignatije of Branicevo (Serbian Orthodox Church);Dr.Eleni Antonopoulou,Aristotle University of Thessaloniki;Dr.Celia Deane-Drummond,University of Notre Dame;Very Reverend Andriy Dudchenko,Kiyiv Orthodox Theological Academy (Orthodox Church of Ukraine);Dr.Michael Evans,Southern New Hampshire University;Nathan Hoppe,Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy (Orthodox Church of Albania);Reverend Deacon Irakli Jinjolava,Tbilisi Theological Academy (Orthodox Church of Georgia);Bogdan Nacsiu,Orthodox Archdiocese of Timisoara (Orthodox Church of Romania);Nikolaos Papachristou,journalist;Dr.Svet Ribolov,Sofia University (St.Kliment Ohridshi);Reverend Dr. Kyprianos Kountouris,Theological School of the Church of Cyprus;and several others.*
Halki Summit III is co-sponsored by St.Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Orthodox Church in America);Holy Cross Orthodox School of Theology (Ecumenical Patriarchate);and Archon Peter Vlitas.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Bulletin:Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's Visit To America To Be Later in 2019,Not July
It has been decided that His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew will make his pastoral visit to the United States in the autumn of 2019,not July,as was previously thought.This was stated by US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt following his important meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew on 24 May 2019.The later date allows new Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to get settled in to his new ministry before the Patriarchal visit,which is considered a major event in the life of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.As well,it allows Patriarch Bartholomew to avoid the legendary heat and humidity of Washington,D.C. in July and to have a more restful summer in general,crucial for a man of his age,79.
Friday, May 24, 2019
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Friday, May 17, 2019
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Archbishop Elpidophoros to be Enthroned in June
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will be enthroned on 22 June 2019 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York.Presiding will be His Eminence Metropolitan Avgostinos of Germany,representing His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.*
Archbishop Elpidophoros will be hosting a teleconference on 16 May 2019 with the clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to ascertain their hopes and concerns for his new ministry.It is accessible to clergy only.He has been receiving congratulatory messages from the likes of US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt;the World Council of Churches;as well as His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas.
Archbishop Elpidophoros will be hosting a teleconference on 16 May 2019 with the clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to ascertain their hopes and concerns for his new ministry.It is accessible to clergy only.He has been receiving congratulatory messages from the likes of US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt;the World Council of Churches;as well as His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Bulletin:Ecumenical Patriarchate Elects New Archbishops - Revised
The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has filled two vacancies at the Archbishop (Primate) level:
His Grace the Right Reverend Makarios,Bishop of Christoupolis,a scholar in the field of bioethics with several advanced degrees,has been elected Archbishop of Australia.He is a native of Heraklion,Crete.He has a Master's degree in Bioethics from Monash University,Australia;a Master's in the History of Science from Harvard University and an STM (Master of Sacred Theology) from Boston University.
His Eminence the Most Reverend Elpidoforos,Metropolitan of Proussa (Bursa,Turkey) and Igoumenos (Abbot) of Holy Trinity Monastery,Halki,has been elected Archbishop of America.Born in Constantionople (Istanbul),he is fluent in English and represents the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the World Council of Churches and the European Council of Churches.Metropolitan Elpidoforos is about 52.
His Grace the Right Reverend Makarios,Bishop of Christoupolis,a scholar in the field of bioethics with several advanced degrees,has been elected Archbishop of Australia.He is a native of Heraklion,Crete.He has a Master's degree in Bioethics from Monash University,Australia;a Master's in the History of Science from Harvard University and an STM (Master of Sacred Theology) from Boston University.
His Eminence the Most Reverend Elpidoforos,Metropolitan of Proussa (Bursa,Turkey) and Igoumenos (Abbot) of Holy Trinity Monastery,Halki,has been elected Archbishop of America.Born in Constantionople (Istanbul),he is fluent in English and represents the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the World Council of Churches and the European Council of Churches.Metropolitan Elpidoforos is about 52.
Archbishop Alexander (Golitzin) - On Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra,Mt.Athos,who departed this life on 9 May 2019
Archbishop Alexander (Golitzin) - On Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Sweeping Change for Greek Orthodox: Leadership Vacancies
The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate will meet from 9-11 May 2019 in Constantinople, and seldom has their pastoral agenda been weightier.Three vacancies at the Archbishop level need to be addressed, with the death of Archbishop Stylianos of Australia in March,plus the resignations of Archbishop Demetrios of America and Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain signaling a major generational shift.
Archbishop Demetrios returned home Saturday night to be greeted by his office staff and other intimates with considerable depth of feeling.Indeed, the chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Bishop Andonios has resigned as well.
It has been well-known that His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has felt the need for change at the Archbishop level for some time now,as Archbishop Demetrios,91,and Gregorios,90,became nonagenarians.*
We pray for our Church, that God will guide us, through our new leaders,
to ever more success in witnessing to the Orthodox faith and preserving Hellenism on our respective continents.Amen.
Archbishop Demetrios returned home Saturday night to be greeted by his office staff and other intimates with considerable depth of feeling.Indeed, the chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Bishop Andonios has resigned as well.
It has been well-known that His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has felt the need for change at the Archbishop level for some time now,as Archbishop Demetrios,91,and Gregorios,90,became nonagenarians.*
We pray for our Church, that God will guide us, through our new leaders,
to ever more success in witnessing to the Orthodox faith and preserving Hellenism on our respective continents.Amen.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Bright Week Journey:Patriarch Bartholomew in Poland
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople visited Poland during Bright Week 2019, exercising his ministry in the light of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.On 2 May, Patriarch Bartholomew led the March of the Living,a three kilometer walk between Birkenau and the Auschwitz Museum in Poland,sites of Nazi atrocities against Jews,Poles and other groups despised by Adolph Hitler.Along with His All-Holiness, Speaker of the Greek Parliament Nikolaos Voutsis, Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila,US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman,His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France and other dignitaries preceded several Jewish and Polish youth groups on the Holocaust Remembrance Day event, also called "Reflect and Learn".*
Patriarch Bartholomew addressed a crowd of 10,000, observing that the names of these concentration camps:
encapsulate what humankind when motivated by pure hatred, can do to desacralise and deface the dignity of the human person,who is created in the image of God.*
On 3 May, Patriarch Bartholomew was received by His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland.After a doxology service,a service of thanksgiving in the university chapel of Sts.Cyril and Methodius,His Beatitude thanked God for the opportunity to meet with Patriarch Bartholomew and wished him a fruitful journey.
For his part, His All-Holiness characterised the state of relations between their two Churches as being excellent.
Then the two spiritual leaders proceeded to the new Cathedral of Hagia Sophia, the cornerstone of which Patriarch Bartholomew had laid in 2015.
Patriarch Bartholomew addressed a crowd of 10,000, observing that the names of these concentration camps:
encapsulate what humankind when motivated by pure hatred, can do to desacralise and deface the dignity of the human person,who is created in the image of God.*
On 3 May, Patriarch Bartholomew was received by His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland.After a doxology service,a service of thanksgiving in the university chapel of Sts.Cyril and Methodius,His Beatitude thanked God for the opportunity to meet with Patriarch Bartholomew and wished him a fruitful journey.
For his part, His All-Holiness characterised the state of relations between their two Churches as being excellent.
Then the two spiritual leaders proceeded to the new Cathedral of Hagia Sophia, the cornerstone of which Patriarch Bartholomew had laid in 2015.
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Friday, April 26, 2019
Monday, April 22, 2019
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Visit Greece and the USA - Update:visit moved till later in the year
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople has accepted invitations to visit Greece and the USA.On 17 April 2019,His Grace Bishop Thespies,Protesynkellos (Chief Secretary) of the Archdiocese of Athens was received by His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.The bishop brought an invitation from His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece to visit Athens and preside at the opening of the St.Porphyrios Centre for Gerontology and Welfare Support in Dilesi,Thessalia Sterea Ellada on 23 May.The event will also be attended by President of Greece Prokopios Pavlopoulos.
Patriarch Bartholomew accepted the invitation and conveyed his warmest paschal greetings to Archbishop Ieronymos.*
Earlier,it was reported by The National Herald that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo invited His All-Holiness to visit the United States in July and address a Conference on the Natural Environment.Patriarch Bartholomew is acknowledged by the international community as a leading voice for the conservation of nature.It has been decided,however,that the Patriarchal visit will be made in the autumn instead,after new Archbishop Elpidophoros has had time to settle into his new ministry.
While in the US,His All-Holiness,to the delight of Greek Americans and other philhellenes,will also make his first archpastoral visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in ten years.The Archdiocese is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and some of its metropolitans serve on the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate.
Patriarch Bartholomew accepted the invitation and conveyed his warmest paschal greetings to Archbishop Ieronymos.*
Earlier,it was reported by The National Herald that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo invited His All-Holiness to visit the United States in July and address a Conference on the Natural Environment.Patriarch Bartholomew is acknowledged by the international community as a leading voice for the conservation of nature.It has been decided,however,that the Patriarchal visit will be made in the autumn instead,after new Archbishop Elpidophoros has had time to settle into his new ministry.
While in the US,His All-Holiness,to the delight of Greek Americans and other philhellenes,will also make his first archpastoral visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in ten years.The Archdiocese is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and some of its metropolitans serve on the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate.
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Friday, April 12, 2019
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Patriarch Bartholomew Visits Bulgarian Community in Turkey
On 5 April 2019,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Bulgarian community in Adrianopoulos,which is today known as Edirne,Turkey.He was warmly received by His Eminence Metropolitan Kiprian of Staras-Zagoras (Patriarchate of Bulgaria) at the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Sts.Constantine and Helen.Patriarch Bartholomew attended the fourth stasis of the Salutations to the Theotokos (Akathistos hymn) presided by Metropolitan Kiprian.*
Also attending were His Grace Bishop Kirillos of Abydos;the consuls general of Greece and Bulgaria to Edirne,Sotiria Theokaridis and Vassil Valchev;and many faithful and pilgrims from Turkey,Greece and Bulgaria.In his address,Patriarch Bartholomew spoke of the fondness for the Patriarchate of Bulgaria felt by its Mother Church,the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.He also recalled having visited Adrianopoulos on a previous occasion,but at a different church in the city.*
Patriarch Bartholomew has been invited to visit Serbia in the autumn by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia.
Also attending were His Grace Bishop Kirillos of Abydos;the consuls general of Greece and Bulgaria to Edirne,Sotiria Theokaridis and Vassil Valchev;and many faithful and pilgrims from Turkey,Greece and Bulgaria.In his address,Patriarch Bartholomew spoke of the fondness for the Patriarchate of Bulgaria felt by its Mother Church,the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.He also recalled having visited Adrianopoulos on a previous occasion,but at a different church in the city.*
Patriarch Bartholomew has been invited to visit Serbia in the autumn by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Monday, April 1, 2019
How NATO Sees Ukraine
NATO is holding a Foreign Ministerial in Washington,DC from 3-4 April 2019.Ahead of the critical meeting, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has been sharing the Alliance's perspective:
When it comes to Ukraine and NATO membership, we recognise the ambitions, the aspiration of Ukraine to become a NATO member.We work with Ukraine to help Ukraine move forward towards its transatlantic integration.And that's why we have all the different frameworks,programs to provide help and support, to help Ukraine focus on the most important thing, and that is reform: to modernise to meet the NATO standards,we help Ukraine;we modernise their defence and security institutions; we have trust funds; we have training; we have different kinds of activities where we are helping Ukraine.
We strongly believe that this has to be the main focus: reform and continue to modernise and to strengthen the defence and security institutions, including fighting corruption.So this will be our focus.*
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress he hopes to see NATO take more action against Russian aggression in Ukraine:
I am hopeful... I will be able to announce another series of actions that we will jointly take together.*
When it comes to Ukraine and NATO membership, we recognise the ambitions, the aspiration of Ukraine to become a NATO member.We work with Ukraine to help Ukraine move forward towards its transatlantic integration.And that's why we have all the different frameworks,programs to provide help and support, to help Ukraine focus on the most important thing, and that is reform: to modernise to meet the NATO standards,we help Ukraine;we modernise their defence and security institutions; we have trust funds; we have training; we have different kinds of activities where we are helping Ukraine.
We strongly believe that this has to be the main focus: reform and continue to modernise and to strengthen the defence and security institutions, including fighting corruption.So this will be our focus.*
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress he hopes to see NATO take more action against Russian aggression in Ukraine:
I am hopeful... I will be able to announce another series of actions that we will jointly take together.*
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Monday, March 25, 2019
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Χειροτονία Σεβ. Μητρ.Σισανίου και Σιατίστης κ. Αθανασίου 23-3-2019 - Ordination to the Episcopacy of Archimandrite Athanasios to serve as the new Metropolitan of Sialia and Siatista - His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece presiding - 23 March 2019 - Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation to the Theotokos, Athens
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Monday, March 18, 2019
King Philippe of Belgium Attends Orthodox Divine Liturgy
On 17 March 2019,His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium attended the Divine Liturgy of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the first Sunday of Great Lent,at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Brussels.The Liturgy also marked the beginning of the celebration of the Orthodox Metropolis of Belgium's 50th anniversary.His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium,Exarch to the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Ecumenical Patriarchate) presided.*
The Metropolis has around 40 parishes using various languages and served by over 50 priests.*
Concelebrating with Metropolitan Athenagoras were His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kyrineia (Church of Cyprus) and His Excellency Bishop Dositheos (Church of Georgia),as well as other clergy from Orthodox jurisdictions in Belgium.
Metropolitan Athenagoras is the sole official representative of the Orthodox Church to the Belgian government.The Orthodox Church was officially recognised by Belgium in 1985.There are a total of about 150,000 Orthodox Christians in Belgium.*
King Philippe's visit was the first by a Belgian monarch to an Orthodox church since King Baudoin's visit to the Church of St.Andrew the Apostle in Ghent in 1980. Also attending the Divine Liturgy with King Philippe were His Eminence Jozef Cardinal de Kesel, Archbishop of Mechelen and Brussels;Mr.Koen Geens, Minister of Justice and Religion; Greek Ambassador to Belgium Eleftheria Galathianaki; and diplomats from various other Orthodox countries,along with a large number of faithful.*
In his address, Metropolitan Athenagoras noted that the Orthodox Church:
has received a place in our society and works in harmony with other Christian Churches and monotheistic religions.
The Metropolis has around 40 parishes using various languages and served by over 50 priests.*
Concelebrating with Metropolitan Athenagoras were His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kyrineia (Church of Cyprus) and His Excellency Bishop Dositheos (Church of Georgia),as well as other clergy from Orthodox jurisdictions in Belgium.
Metropolitan Athenagoras is the sole official representative of the Orthodox Church to the Belgian government.The Orthodox Church was officially recognised by Belgium in 1985.There are a total of about 150,000 Orthodox Christians in Belgium.*
King Philippe's visit was the first by a Belgian monarch to an Orthodox church since King Baudoin's visit to the Church of St.Andrew the Apostle in Ghent in 1980. Also attending the Divine Liturgy with King Philippe were His Eminence Jozef Cardinal de Kesel, Archbishop of Mechelen and Brussels;Mr.Koen Geens, Minister of Justice and Religion; Greek Ambassador to Belgium Eleftheria Galathianaki; and diplomats from various other Orthodox countries,along with a large number of faithful.*
In his address, Metropolitan Athenagoras noted that the Orthodox Church:
has received a place in our society and works in harmony with other Christian Churches and monotheistic religions.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Inside the Tsipras Visit: Greece, Turkey and Constantinople
The visit of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to Istanbul and environs on 5 February 2019 is still resonating in the media.It has taken on a life of its own, pointing the way to answers of seemingly intractable problems.
His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidoforos of Proussos (Bursa, Turkey),a Turkish citizen many see as a potential successor to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew or Archbishop Demitrios of America, recently gave an interview to Ethnos about the Tsipras visit to the Halki Theological School on Heybeliada Island,in the Sea of Marmara near Constantinople:
We are all very happy about Mr.Tsipras' historic visit.We lived truly touching moments with the Greek Prime Minister approaching, worshipping at the Halki Theological School, taking part in the Divine Liturgy that was Presided by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
All of these things happened on a very important day: the feast day of St..Photios the Great, the founder of our monastery.The Prime Minister was shown around the empty classrooms and the library by the Patriarch himself.Together, they planted a tree in the historic garden of the School,in the presence of the representative of the Turkish President,Mr.Erdogan.All these things create,I believe,a psychological and political climate where we can truly begin to speak about a jump forward, walking towards the direction of the reopening of the School.*
The entire atmosphere of the Theological School and his visit, which began with his attending the Divine Liturgy, brought the Prime Minister to a state of spirituality.From the moment he lit his candles, you had the feeling that his face shone.*
I believe that we are very close to the phase where Greece and Turkey will be able to surpass these difficulties and tensions.All the prerequisites for this to happen exist.*
I believe that all these "skirmishes" that are pointed out today are precisely the pain of the figuritive childbirth of a peaceful and friendly coexistence between the two nations, which is the prerequisite, the oxygen which the Halki Theological School will breathe and will re-open.I am optimistic.*
Mr.Tsipras planted a tree with the Ecumenical Patriarch and Ibrahim Kalin, President Erdogan's spokesman and National Security Advisor.
Mr.Tsipras said:
The reopening of the School will not be a point or a message of discord or dispute, or differentiation or division; but it will be a message of friendship, mutual understanding and brotherhood between our two peoples.*
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said:
This is a nest of science and culture.It is inexplicable that a school that was founded and opened in 1844 during the Ottoman period, was closed down during the Republican period, and has been closed for half a century.
The Orthodox Church and, in general, the contemporary world, are in need of theologians and religious leaders without blinders,fundamentalism or intolerance-ministers of dialogue and love.*
His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidoforos of Proussos (Bursa, Turkey),a Turkish citizen many see as a potential successor to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew or Archbishop Demitrios of America, recently gave an interview to Ethnos about the Tsipras visit to the Halki Theological School on Heybeliada Island,in the Sea of Marmara near Constantinople:
We are all very happy about Mr.Tsipras' historic visit.We lived truly touching moments with the Greek Prime Minister approaching, worshipping at the Halki Theological School, taking part in the Divine Liturgy that was Presided by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
All of these things happened on a very important day: the feast day of St..Photios the Great, the founder of our monastery.The Prime Minister was shown around the empty classrooms and the library by the Patriarch himself.Together, they planted a tree in the historic garden of the School,in the presence of the representative of the Turkish President,Mr.Erdogan.All these things create,I believe,a psychological and political climate where we can truly begin to speak about a jump forward, walking towards the direction of the reopening of the School.*
The entire atmosphere of the Theological School and his visit, which began with his attending the Divine Liturgy, brought the Prime Minister to a state of spirituality.From the moment he lit his candles, you had the feeling that his face shone.*
I believe that we are very close to the phase where Greece and Turkey will be able to surpass these difficulties and tensions.All the prerequisites for this to happen exist.*
I believe that all these "skirmishes" that are pointed out today are precisely the pain of the figuritive childbirth of a peaceful and friendly coexistence between the two nations, which is the prerequisite, the oxygen which the Halki Theological School will breathe and will re-open.I am optimistic.*
Mr.Tsipras planted a tree with the Ecumenical Patriarch and Ibrahim Kalin, President Erdogan's spokesman and National Security Advisor.
Mr.Tsipras said:
The reopening of the School will not be a point or a message of discord or dispute, or differentiation or division; but it will be a message of friendship, mutual understanding and brotherhood between our two peoples.*
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said:
This is a nest of science and culture.It is inexplicable that a school that was founded and opened in 1844 during the Ottoman period, was closed down during the Republican period, and has been closed for half a century.
The Orthodox Church and, in general, the contemporary world, are in need of theologians and religious leaders without blinders,fundamentalism or intolerance-ministers of dialogue and love.*
Earlier in the day,Mr.Tsipras visited the landmark cathedral of the Byzantine Empire,Hagia Sophia, but declined to make any remarks for the press.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Church of Cyprus Backs Ukrainian Autocephaly
The Orthodox Church of Cyprus has expressed its approval of the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine.The Holy Synod of the Cypriot Church met to discuss Ukraine on 18 February 2019.
The Church of Cyprus said it fully supports Ukraine in its desire to create a local Orthodox Church. Ukraine had every right to ask Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to grant them Autocephaly.*
The Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church had the opportunity to come to the Council and state their position openly and negotiate a dialogue, but this never happened.Therefore they did not have the right to ignore the Council and interfere in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's affairs, and they shall not have such a right in the future.*
Even though the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was designed to solve an internal religious split, so far,many contradictions and tensions have remained, the Church of Cyprus acknowledged.*
His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of New Justiniana and All Cyprus is Primate of the autocephalous Church of Cyprus.
The Church of Cyprus said it fully supports Ukraine in its desire to create a local Orthodox Church. Ukraine had every right to ask Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to grant them Autocephaly.*
The Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church had the opportunity to come to the Council and state their position openly and negotiate a dialogue, but this never happened.Therefore they did not have the right to ignore the Council and interfere in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's affairs, and they shall not have such a right in the future.*
Even though the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was designed to solve an internal religious split, so far,many contradictions and tensions have remained, the Church of Cyprus acknowledged.*
His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of New Justiniana and All Cyprus is Primate of the autocephalous Church of Cyprus.
Friday, March 1, 2019
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Former NATO Chief Warns Belarus About Putin
A former NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister of Denmark, Anders Fogh Rasmussen,gave a warning to Belarus in an interview he gave to Ukrainian website Liga.net:
The key risk is the repetition of the Ukrainian scenario that includes war and annexation in Belarus.I would advise Belarus to introduce reforms leading to democracy and freedom.
We remember that statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin; he said that Belarus should become part of 'the great Russian power,'as well as the Crimean Peninsula.And I would like Belarus to get more assistance from the West; but we need to see Belarus switch to freedom and democracy.
Yes, he (Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko) does not want to do that; but he also does not want to live under Putin's pressure.He needs to choose between reforming and the Russians' tightening grip.*
As an example of this pressure,Mr.Lukashenko considered a response to NATO deploying intermediate range missiles in Europe in reaction to Russia's violation of the INF Treaty:
Because, together with Russia, we will have to think of reciprocal measures.It would be unavoidable if this happened.It would be even worse if,God forbid, missiles were deployed in Ukraine.*
Mr.Rasmussen was NATO Secretary General from 2009-14.
The key risk is the repetition of the Ukrainian scenario that includes war and annexation in Belarus.I would advise Belarus to introduce reforms leading to democracy and freedom.
We remember that statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin; he said that Belarus should become part of 'the great Russian power,'as well as the Crimean Peninsula.And I would like Belarus to get more assistance from the West; but we need to see Belarus switch to freedom and democracy.
Yes, he (Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko) does not want to do that; but he also does not want to live under Putin's pressure.He needs to choose between reforming and the Russians' tightening grip.*
As an example of this pressure,Mr.Lukashenko considered a response to NATO deploying intermediate range missiles in Europe in reaction to Russia's violation of the INF Treaty:
Because, together with Russia, we will have to think of reciprocal measures.It would be unavoidable if this happened.It would be even worse if,God forbid, missiles were deployed in Ukraine.*
Mr.Rasmussen was NATO Secretary General from 2009-14.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Friday, February 15, 2019
Prince Charles Visits Romanian Orthodox in London
On 14 February 2019,His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales attended a Romanian Orthodox Church service at St.Dunstan-in-the-West,Fleet Street, London.The Anglican church hosts a Romanian Orthodox parish. Over 200 people were in attendance at the special event.
HRH was escorted by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Central Europe.When Prince Charles arrived, he was greeted by a woman with bread and salt, the traditional Orthodox greeting for an eminent person.The Prince took the time to chat with several parishioners, some of whom wore ethnic attire.HRH has made a point of visiting Orthodox churches both at home and abroad.He is of Greek Orthodox heritage.*
The Choir of the Friends of Mt.Athos performed Byzantine music at the service.Prince Charles is patron of the choir.*
Following the service,HRH lit a candle before an icon of the Saviour and viewed the iconostasis installed in the church.*
Prince Charles created the Prince of Wales Foundation Romania in 2015 to carry out charitable endeavours such as supporting architectural heritage preservation; farming;and sustainable development in the Eastern European country.
HRH was escorted by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Central Europe.When Prince Charles arrived, he was greeted by a woman with bread and salt, the traditional Orthodox greeting for an eminent person.The Prince took the time to chat with several parishioners, some of whom wore ethnic attire.HRH has made a point of visiting Orthodox churches both at home and abroad.He is of Greek Orthodox heritage.*
The Choir of the Friends of Mt.Athos performed Byzantine music at the service.Prince Charles is patron of the choir.*
Following the service,HRH lit a candle before an icon of the Saviour and viewed the iconostasis installed in the church.*
Prince Charles created the Prince of Wales Foundation Romania in 2015 to carry out charitable endeavours such as supporting architectural heritage preservation; farming;and sustainable development in the Eastern European country.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Greek Prime Minister Visits Turkey,Meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew and President Erdogan
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has made an official visit to Turkey,showing support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate while keeping the Greek-Turkish dialogue alive.On 6 February 2019,Mr.Tsipras attended a Divine Liturgy with His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople at Holy Trinity Monastery on Heybeliada Island,Turkey.The monastery grounds contain the shuttered Halki Theological School,which the Turkish authorities closed in the 1970s.Later in the day,Mr.Tsipras called for the reopening of the School,which,he said:
would be evidence of friendship,mutual understanding and brotherhood.
Religious faith should bring people together,not divide them.*
The School was founded in 1844.Its alumni include several luminaries,among them being the late Patriarch of Constantinople Athenagoras,as well as Patriarch Bartholomew.*
Prime Minister Tsipras was the first Greek premier to visit the School in more than 90 years.Later on Wednesday,he visited what many consider to have been the greatest church of the Byzantine era,Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.*
On Tuesday 5 February,Mr.Tsipras met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara,seeking to bolster relations between the two neighbours.Positive results of the talks included keeping the lines of communication open;arranging a meeting between the Greek and Turkish ministers of defence;and establishing a Greek/Turkish business forum in Thessaloniki,Greece.
President Erdogan said all issues between the two NATO Allies could be solved:
on an equitable basis and in a peaceful way.*
Mr.Erdogan linked the Halki Theological School reopening to the issue of the treatment of Turks living in Western Thrace,Greece,including their right to elect their own muftis.A set of talks should be held to resolve both issues.
would be evidence of friendship,mutual understanding and brotherhood.
Religious faith should bring people together,not divide them.*
The School was founded in 1844.Its alumni include several luminaries,among them being the late Patriarch of Constantinople Athenagoras,as well as Patriarch Bartholomew.*
Prime Minister Tsipras was the first Greek premier to visit the School in more than 90 years.Later on Wednesday,he visited what many consider to have been the greatest church of the Byzantine era,Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.*
On Tuesday 5 February,Mr.Tsipras met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara,seeking to bolster relations between the two neighbours.Positive results of the talks included keeping the lines of communication open;arranging a meeting between the Greek and Turkish ministers of defence;and establishing a Greek/Turkish business forum in Thessaloniki,Greece.
President Erdogan said all issues between the two NATO Allies could be solved:
on an equitable basis and in a peaceful way.*
Mr.Erdogan linked the Halki Theological School reopening to the issue of the treatment of Turks living in Western Thrace,Greece,including their right to elect their own muftis.A set of talks should be held to resolve both issues.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Friday, February 1, 2019
Eastern Europe Update: Ukraine, Bulgaria,INF Treaty
Since 6 January 2019, when the Tomos of Autocephaly was handed over to the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine, more than 100 parishes have left the Moscow Patriarchate for the OCU.This is more than left the MP in the five years since Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea and instagtion of the Donbas War in Eastern Ukraine, said His Eminence Archbishop Yevstratiy (Zorya) of Chernihiv Nizhyn at a roundtable discussion.*
The majority of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, including His Holiness Patriarch Neophytos, reportedly backs the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine, but has referred the matter to the Synod's canonical committee for further study.*
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the United States has suspended adherence to the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia for six months, during which time Russia may revive the agreement by withdrawing its illegal weapons from Europe.NATO agrees that Russia has persistently violated the Treaty by stationing cruise missiles in Europe.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she will continue to talk to Russia about the INF Treaty during the suspension.
The majority of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, including His Holiness Patriarch Neophytos, reportedly backs the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine, but has referred the matter to the Synod's canonical committee for further study.*
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the United States has suspended adherence to the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia for six months, during which time Russia may revive the agreement by withdrawing its illegal weapons from Europe.NATO agrees that Russia has persistently violated the Treaty by stationing cruise missiles in Europe.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she will continue to talk to Russia about the INF Treaty during the suspension.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Friday, January 25, 2019
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Greek Orthodox in Turkey:Asia Minor Revival Continues
On 19 January 2019,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople celebrated the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy,Blessing of the Waters and Diving for the Cross on Old Calendar Epiphany at Triglia (Tirilye,Turkey) in Proussos (Bursa Province),Asia Minor.It was the first ever Patriarchal service in Triglia and the first Diving for the Cross held there since 1922.The liturgy was held in the restored Church of St.Basil,part of the community centre in Triglia.
Concelebrating the historic day were His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidoforos of Bursa and His Grace Bishop Adrianos of Alikarnassos,Crete.*
In addition to the hierarchs,several diplomats from Greece,Ukraine and Bulgaria attended the services,as well as archons,clerics and monks from the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople;representatives of the Municipality of Rufina (Attica,Greece);presidents and members of the Triglia heritage associations;plus Orthodox Christians from Istanbul and elsewhere in Bursa.
The Prefecture of Bursa granted a permit for the observances.Mayor Hayri Turkyilmaz of Mudanya and other local officials attended the Diving for the Cross.A local marching band processed to the Triglia town square for the Blessing of the Waters/Diving for the Cross at the Sea of Marmara.Young people from the greater Triglia area and Ukraine dove for the cross.*
Metropolitan Elpidoforos pointed out that:
In this action and in this spirit of the Patriarch,we owe,among other things,the climate of confidence that has been established so that it is possible to revive,step by step,the sacred Metropolises that had been deserted after the population exchanges of 1923.*
The Orthodox Church of Crete is part of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Concelebrating the historic day were His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidoforos of Bursa and His Grace Bishop Adrianos of Alikarnassos,Crete.*
In addition to the hierarchs,several diplomats from Greece,Ukraine and Bulgaria attended the services,as well as archons,clerics and monks from the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople;representatives of the Municipality of Rufina (Attica,Greece);presidents and members of the Triglia heritage associations;plus Orthodox Christians from Istanbul and elsewhere in Bursa.
The Prefecture of Bursa granted a permit for the observances.Mayor Hayri Turkyilmaz of Mudanya and other local officials attended the Diving for the Cross.A local marching band processed to the Triglia town square for the Blessing of the Waters/Diving for the Cross at the Sea of Marmara.Young people from the greater Triglia area and Ukraine dove for the cross.*
Metropolitan Elpidoforos pointed out that:
In this action and in this spirit of the Patriarch,we owe,among other things,the climate of confidence that has been established so that it is possible to revive,step by step,the sacred Metropolises that had been deserted after the population exchanges of 1923.*
The Orthodox Church of Crete is part of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Monday, January 21, 2019
Friday, January 18, 2019
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Monday, January 14, 2019
Hierarch of the Ecumenical Throne Dies in Greece
Word has been received of the passing of a Hierarch of the Ecumenical Throne,His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos (Ioannou) of Sissanion and Siatista,Greece.He reportedly died of a heart ailment and was about 72.A native of Chalkida,Greece,he graduated from the Theological School of the University of Athens in 1971.He was ordained deacon with the name Pavlos (Paul) in 1973 and priest in 1974.
On 28 February 2006,he was elected to the episcopate by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece and consecrated Metropolitan of Sissanion and Siatista,a mountainous area in West Makedonia that is within the New Lands of Greece belonging to the Ecumenical Patriarchate,but administered by the Church of Greece for practical reasons,on 4 March 2006.His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Metropolis in 2012.*
For 25 years,Metropolitan Pavlos served the parish of Mantoudi,rising to the level of episcopal representative in Mantoudi,Limnos and Agia Anna.During this time,he established a stellar reputation as a preacher and pastor.
Eventually,he served on the synodal level of the Church of Greece as Secretary of the Synodical Committee Christian Education of Youth;the Synodical Subcommittee on the Olympic Games;and the Synodical Subcommittee on Artistic Events.*
Metropolitan Pavlos was a longtime producer for the Church of Greece Radio.Widely sought-after as a speaker at parent,youth and priests' conferences throughout Greece and Cyprus,he took a keen interest in cultivating priestly and monastic vocations.He was an author of books and,to the end of his life,articles in the daily and ecclesiastical press.*
Patriarch Bartholomew served a trisagion memorial service,a brief initial service,for Metropolitan Pavlos on 14 January 2019 while visiting Holy Trinity Monastery and Halki Theological School in Turkey.He was assisted by the Patriarchal clerics and monastic brotherhood.
On 28 February 2006,he was elected to the episcopate by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece and consecrated Metropolitan of Sissanion and Siatista,a mountainous area in West Makedonia that is within the New Lands of Greece belonging to the Ecumenical Patriarchate,but administered by the Church of Greece for practical reasons,on 4 March 2006.His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Metropolis in 2012.*
For 25 years,Metropolitan Pavlos served the parish of Mantoudi,rising to the level of episcopal representative in Mantoudi,Limnos and Agia Anna.During this time,he established a stellar reputation as a preacher and pastor.
Eventually,he served on the synodal level of the Church of Greece as Secretary of the Synodical Committee Christian Education of Youth;the Synodical Subcommittee on the Olympic Games;and the Synodical Subcommittee on Artistic Events.*
Metropolitan Pavlos was a longtime producer for the Church of Greece Radio.Widely sought-after as a speaker at parent,youth and priests' conferences throughout Greece and Cyprus,he took a keen interest in cultivating priestly and monastic vocations.He was an author of books and,to the end of his life,articles in the daily and ecclesiastical press.*
Patriarch Bartholomew served a trisagion memorial service,a brief initial service,for Metropolitan Pavlos on 14 January 2019 while visiting Holy Trinity Monastery and Halki Theological School in Turkey.He was assisted by the Patriarchal clerics and monastic brotherhood.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Friday, January 11, 2019
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Monday, January 7, 2019
Panorthodox Synod :Istanbul - OPENING ADDRESS BY HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PAT...
Panorthodox Synod : OPENING ADDRESS BY HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PAT...: OPENING ADDRESS by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew AWARENESS, ACTION AND IMPACT A Forum on Modern Slavery (Ist...
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Ukraine Update:Tomos Takes Effect - Ukraine's leading presidential candidate shares her opinion
On 5 January 2018,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,who is 78,signed into effect the Tomos of Autocephaly for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine at a ceremony in Constantinople.Attending the event in the Patriarchal Church of St.George in the Phanar,the Patriarchate's enclave in Istanbul,Turkey,was the first Primate of the new Church,His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv and All Ukraine,and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.
On 6 January,the two Primates will concelebrate the Divine Liturgy in the same church,and afterwards Patriarch Bartholomew will present the scrolled,handwritten and illuminated Tomos manuscript to Metropolitan Epifaniy.The manuscript will then be put on public display in the Small Sofia Church in Kyiv,following the Christmas Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metropolitan Epifaniy,39,at the St.Sofia Cathedral,the large church in the national heritage site,which will be filled with dignitaries attending the service,including intellectual and cultural figures.The general public will be able to pray in the cathedral courtyard in front of a big screen TV.*
The leading presidential candidate in the March election in Ukraine,Yulia Tymoshenko,praised the Tomos in a Facebook post,calling its signing:
a big and bright day in our national history.
The Tomos is a landmark.This is a symbol of the spiritual identity of the nation and a huge inspiration for the unity of Ukraine.May the Lord help us on our way.With faith in Ukraine;with faith in a better future.Onward,Ukraine!*
Ms.Tymoshenko,who was prime minister of Ukraine from 2007-10,currrently has a wide lead over her rivals,including the incumbent Mr.Poroshenko.She supports Ukraine's joining NATO and the European Union.
On 6 January,the two Primates will concelebrate the Divine Liturgy in the same church,and afterwards Patriarch Bartholomew will present the scrolled,handwritten and illuminated Tomos manuscript to Metropolitan Epifaniy.The manuscript will then be put on public display in the Small Sofia Church in Kyiv,following the Christmas Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metropolitan Epifaniy,39,at the St.Sofia Cathedral,the large church in the national heritage site,which will be filled with dignitaries attending the service,including intellectual and cultural figures.The general public will be able to pray in the cathedral courtyard in front of a big screen TV.*
The leading presidential candidate in the March election in Ukraine,Yulia Tymoshenko,praised the Tomos in a Facebook post,calling its signing:
a big and bright day in our national history.
The Tomos is a landmark.This is a symbol of the spiritual identity of the nation and a huge inspiration for the unity of Ukraine.May the Lord help us on our way.With faith in Ukraine;with faith in a better future.Onward,Ukraine!*
Ms.Tymoshenko,who was prime minister of Ukraine from 2007-10,currrently has a wide lead over her rivals,including the incumbent Mr.Poroshenko.She supports Ukraine's joining NATO and the European Union.
Friday, January 4, 2019
Panorthodox Synod : THE INSTITUTION OF AUTOCEPHALY IN THE ORTHODOX CHU...
Panorthodox Synod : THE INSTITUTION OF AUTOCEPHALY IN THE ORTHODOX CHU...: By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou, Source : Translated from the Greek by Fr Patrick B. O'Grady.
NATO Spearhead Force and UN Security Council Await Berlin - Germany picks up two thorny defense and diplomacy assignments in 2019
Germany picks up two thorny defense and diplomacy assignments in 2019: Can Berlin hold the West together? The new year could turn out to be a major test.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
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