Met. Filaret (UOC-KP) visiting the US

(UOC-KP) - October 29, 2010 in the morning His Holiness Patriarch of Kyiv and all Rus-Ukraine Filaret left for a visit to the United States. The primate is accompanied archpriest Oleg Malanyak and theology professor Dr. Dmitry.

Every year Met. Filarer of the Kiev Patriarchate visits parishes in the Americas. This visit will last until 16 November. The meeting will include services, meetings with clergy, and the Ukrainian community.

A more detailed program of the visit can be found in the General Vicariate Kiev Patriarchate in the USA and Canada Archpriest Victor Polar.

"Why Orthodox Men Love Church"

I won't post it here as the formatting would take too long to do and I wouldn't be able to do justice to the layout in general. Read it here:

St. George Orthodox Church of Prescott, AZ

Malankara Catholicos of the East abdicates

His Holiness Maran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymos I

KOTTAYAM (IOH) - The great shepherd of Malankara decided to step down.

It is in a special session of the Holy Episcopal Synod that was convened at the Catholicate Palace, Devalokam, Kottayam, today that the Pontiff decided to disclose on his abdication.

“The Almighty allowed me to lead the Church for the last five years. Looking back, I consider everything as grace of God. I love the Church and the people of God. I also thank all of you, who stood as strong support to me during these years”, said the Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan to the members of the Holy Episcopal Synod in the preface of his speech.

“For the rest of my life, I want to retreat in prayer and wish to set aside myself from all administrative responsibilities”, carried on the Catholicos.

Twenty Metropolitans including Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios attended the meeting.

A meeting of the Holy Episcopal Synod will officially convene tomorrow. Details of the abdication will be released to the media thereafter.

The reigning Catholicos himself will consecrate his successor. With this His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I will have the rare honor of being the sole Catholicos of Malankara, who has been consecrated by his predecessor and of consecrating his successor as well.

Historians will depict this father as the great skipper, who depended on the power of prayer than secular administrative skills to lead the children of God. Great meeting at Kottayam and two flawless Malankara Associations bear witness to the above said fact.

The kropilo/aspergilium/randistirion of St. Simon in Mexico

(msnbc) - A woman cleanses a young man at the Temple of San Simon (Saint Simon) in the municipality of San Andres Iztapa in Chimaltenango, some 72 km west of Guatemala City, on Oct. 28.

Met. Hilarion at Athonite Skete of St. Anne

I like this photo because it say to "church" to me in a way that large stained glass windows, the imposing cross on an apse wall, or rows of pews do to some people. I've been to little hermitages, huge cathedrals, and suburban parishes and the sight of an epitrachelion hanging from the iconostasis speaks to the living, breathing Church peopled by priests who serve all over the face of the earth.

(mospat.ru) - On October 27, 2010, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, led a pilgrims group of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Skete of St Anne on Holy Mount Athos./td>

UOC-KP supports dialogue with UOC-MP

(RISU) - The Hierarchical Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP), which was convened on October 21 in Kyiv for the 15th anniversary of the enthronement of Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Ukraine, analyzed the events which took place in the Ukrainian church since the last council and passed a Council Address reflecting the position of the Kyivan Patriarchate on urgent issues.

The authors of the document stated their unanimity and unity regarding the question of the dialogue with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP): the church approves of and supports such a dialogue. “Whereas, in the Moscow Patriarchate, we can see at least several viewpoints and centers of influence, non-coordination of which is the main cause of the present state of preparation for the dialogue,” reads the address of the UOC-KP.

The council also confirmed that it completely shares the ideas and positions on various issues expressed during the period since the last council in the documents, letters, statements, and addresses of the synod and the patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine.

The document says that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate is developing and growing. “We have about 5 thousand parishes in Ukraine and abroad, which constitute 35 eparchies where over 3.5 thousand priests serve. The bishopric of the Kyivan Patriarchate includes 41 bishops. We have 6 theological educational institutions including two theological academies, in Kyiv and Lviv. The Kyivan Patriarchate has 40 monasteries, including 3 in Kyiv,” reads the address.

The hierarchy of this church has called "to continue to confidently follow the way of development of the Kyivan Patriarchate.” The bishops of the UOC-KP are convinced that the “national Ukrainian church will be recognized as an autocephalous one, will reach fullfledged communication with other sister churches and that all the present problems and troubles will become just a part of history.”

Indian churches speak against casteism

(WCC) - Naming casteism as "sin, apostasy and rebellion against God", churches in India have committed themselves to serve as "zero tolerance zones" for caste-based discrimination. They also called for Lent 2011 to be "a time of purging caste" from Christian communities.

Representatives of 31 churches grouped in the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) made those commitments at an ecumenical conference held in New Delhi on 22-24 October. The event was convened by the NCCI and the World Council of Churches (WCC).

"The moment of truth has come", said the NCCI president Bishop Dr Taranath Sagar, speaking at the opening of the conference. He called on churches to get involved, in all sincerity and faithfulness, with the liberation of Dalits as part of the mission of God.

Despite the fact that the caste system was abolished under India’s constitution in 1950, "untouchability" is still practiced, particularly in rural areas. Caste-based discrimination affects at least 160 million people in India. One of the jobs assigned to the caste of Dalits in India is the manual removal of human feces from dry latrines. About 80 percent of manual scavengers are women.

In an affirmation of faith issued at the 22-24 October gathering, Indian churches representatives defined caste discrimination as "a crime against human beings" and "a grievance against the Holy Spirit".

According to the confession-like statement, "Dalit children are shunned, stunted and have their childhood shattered. Dalit women are beaten, raped, and murdered. Dalit men are dispossessed, locked up, and lynched".

"We are ashamed that we as Christians have remained silent while our brothers and sisters have been violated and killed", the church representatives continued. However, they wrote, "Dalits resilience and resistance" is an invitation to the church "to join in solidarity to denounce and resist the 'spiritual forces of evil'."

"This conference is remarkable as it has for the first time enabled the Indian churches to name caste as an evil system and caste discrimination as a sin and a crime", said the Rev. Dr Deenabandhu Manchala, WCC programme executive for Justice and Inclusive Communities. "Equally important", he added, "it has moved from building on Dalit suffering to Dalit resistance and determination to dismantle an oppressive social order."

Participants at the gathering expressed their expectation that the Christian liturgical season of Lent 2011 may become an "occasion for developing resources, both theological and liturgical, for use in Sunday Schools, youth groups, women's and men's fellowships and pastors' and bishops' retreats with the specific mandate to root out casteism in our mindset and caste discrimination in our way of life."

Speaking at the conference, Bishop Geevarghese Mor Coorilos, moderator of the WCC's Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, called for the "Dalitization of the Indian churches". "Churches have to be inclusive, and any discrimination in any form will not make it the body of Christ", Coorilos said.

A discussion on secularization, Church-State relations

RHODES, Greece, OCT. 27, 2010 (Zenit.org) - Representatives from both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches in Europe are sharing concerns about the secularization of society.

The warned about the dangers derived from a secularized society, "without points of moral reference and without a plan worthy of the human person," in a final communiqué of the 2nd Catholic Orthodox Forum.

The forum took place Oct. 18-22 in Rhodes, on the theme "Church-State Relations: Theological and Historical Perspectives."

It was presided over by Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and by Cardinal Peter Erdo, president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE). Some 17 delegates from the council participated, and as many other representatives of the Orthodox Churches.

The participants affirmed, "It is not possible to lay the foundations of coexistence without establishing a relationship with the objective reality of the human being, with the need to be open to the whole reality in which he is integrated, which is not just reduced to the quest for material well-being, but which includes the search for the meaning of life through a never ending spiritual quest."

They added, "The image of the human being that is projected in public speeches and in the media is often foreign to the quest for truth, while the satisfaction of subjective desires is valued exclusively."

"The juridical order on which states are erected and, hence, relations between citizens, cannot depend on people's changing opinions, or on the action of pressure groups," the communiqué stated.

It stressed that this order "must be based on intangible human values," that are "innate to the human being" and "preceding the law and the state."

The Forum addressed some topics in particular: the Church-state relationship from the theological and historical point of view, the way in which Churches live their relations with the state; the common good and the service/diakonia of the Church to society.

The communiqué noted that in Europe the system of separation with cooperation between the Church and the state is the most widespread.

It added that this separation must be understood "as separation of the political and religious fields, and not in the sense of a reciprocal ignorance, impossible to apply."

Harmonious cooperation

"Independence and reciprocal autonomy must allow for a specific and harmonious cooperation between the two institutions," the participants stated.

In this context, they added, the Churches "wish to participate more actively in the ethical and moral debates that affect the future of society."

The participants affirmed, "It seems important to us to confirm that our countries of Europe cannot break off their Christian roots without destroying themselves and that the ethical challenges are determinant for our future in a globalized world."

"The Churches have the duty to awaken consciences," they asserted, "and to defend the dignity of the human person created in the image of God," confirming in particular "the right to conscientious objection for medical staff, whom no one can oblige to practice abortion or euthanasia."

The communiqué particularly mentioned "the notable differences" existing between the Churches in regard to their material conditions of life:" Some "are financed with state money, others have a system of ecclesiastical tax imposed by law, others take recourse exclusively to the donations of the faithful."

It acknowledged that "in some countries of Europe, the Churches continue to wait for the restitution of the goods that were confiscated by the Communist regime, something that would enable them to fulfill their pastoral, charitable and social mission."

Finally, the forum participants insisted on liberty of education, affirming that the duty of education belongs to parents.

They stated that the Church "has the constitutive right to offer an education that is in conformity with the Christian principles of the families that have requested it."

The 3rd Catholic Orthodox Forum will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2012.

Official announcement on Bp. Mark of Toledo published

(antiochian.org) -

October 27, 2010
To: The Clergy of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest
From: His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP
Re: Appointment of His Grace, Bishop THOMAS as Locum-Tenens of the Diocese

Beloved in the Lord:

Greetings in the name of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray you are in good health. As you are no doubt aware, our Local Synod of the Archdiocese met on Friday, October 22, 2010 in Jacksonville, FL. Among the things we discussed was the deteriorating situation in the diocese. As such, it was determined that the best thing was to transfer His Grace, Bishop MARK to the Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest. A majority of the bishops of the synod agreed with the decision that this was in the best interest of the Archdiocese so that both the Diocese of Toledo and His Grace, Bishop MARK could have a fresh start. Citing health reasons, Bishop MARK said he could not live in that part of the country and subsequently requested to be released to the Orthodox Church in America. The synod agreed to his request and, at present, he is working out the details of his release with His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH. During this interim period, Bishop MARK asked to remain in the Toledo chancery until the end of the year. I agreed to this request and we will continue to pay Bishop MARK his stipend until the end of December.

Effective as of October 22, 2010 with Bishop MARK’s request to be released from the Church of Antioch, I appointed His Grace, Bishop THOMAS as the Locum Tenens of the Diocese. Bishop MARK will reside in the Toledo chancery as our guest until the end of the year, however, he will not be continuing his schedule of visits after this weekend (October 31, 20I0). If you had scheduled him to visit your parish and you have a major event or ordination planned in the coming months, you should immediately contact His Grace, Bishop THOMAS to see if he can make the visit or if other arrangements can be made until such time as a new bishop is elected and consecrated to serve the diocese, likely next summer. Likewise, effective immediately, only the Metropolitan is to be commemorated in the divine services in the Midwest unless Bishop THOMAS or another bishop is physically present in your church. This will remain in effect until a new auxiliary bishop is elected and appointed to oversee the diocese. Finally, I will preside at the 2011 Parish Life Conference in Cleveland, OH from June I5-I9 and expect full participation by all of the parishes. Please start planning from now.

Praying that this will mark a new beginning of healing and growth for the diocese, I remain,

Your Father in Christ,

Metropolitan PHILIP
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

cc: Auxiliary Bishops
Archdiocese Board of Trustees
All Parishes and Mission in the Archdiocese

Relics of St. Maximus found in Georgia

H/T: Frontier Orthodoxy

(Rustavi 2) - French anthropologists have confirmed that the grave of Saint Maximus the Confessor is in Tsageri, Svaneti Region, Georgia. A special conference dedicated to the discovery was held in the Youth Centre of the Saint Trinity Cathedral yesterday. The participants have discussing the details of the discovery and history of the Saint Maximus. They said the only holy part of Saint Maximus` body has been so far held in Israel.

French scientists presume that after popularizing the discovery, the Tsageri monastery will become a place of pilgrimage for many worshippers due to the grave of the Saint Maximus.

St. Demetrios the Myrrhgusher of Thessaloniki

Troparion - Tone 3

The world has found you to be a great defense against tribulation
and a vanquisher of heathens, O Passion-bearer.
As you bolstered the courage of Nestor,
who then humbled the arrogance of Lyaios in battle,
Holy Demetrius, entreat Christ God to grant us great mercy.

Kontakion - Tone 2

God, who has given you invincible might,
has tinged the Church with streams of your blood, Demetrius!
He preserves your city from harm,
for you are its foundation!

St. Nikolai of Žiča, the documentary

H/T: Mystagogy

Saint Nikolai the Serb is a wonderfully produced documentary depicting various aspects of the life and works of a truly monumental 20th-century saint! Nearly 2 hours concerning the life of this prolific writer and Saint!

Antiochian synod meets, Met. Philip consolidates power

"...and I am unanimous in that!"

There is some sweeping stuff in the OCANews website article (to be found here). Bishops must now call themselves "Auxiliary Bishops" in all documents, the diocesan websites are to be shut down (controlling the flow of information to the archdiocesan office), bishops can be commemorated (subject to change whenever Met. Philip wishes) after Met. Philip in the liturgy, all money needs to be sent to the archdiocese and bishops can't accept money themselves (remember the now famous "I have millions" quote by Met. Philip last week), priestly brotherhoods have been banned (they have been thorns in the side of Met. Philip when he has done unpopular things in the past),  the Hierarchical Manual is to be rewritten, and no negative comments about any of this can be made. There is now one voice alone, or, as Mrs. Slocombe from Are You Being Served used to say for emphasis "...and I am unanimous in that!"

2010 Missions and Evangelism Conference audio available

I've always found this conference to be well worth listening to. More on the conference can be found here. The audio is available from Ancient Faith Radio here.

Speakers included:

• Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, President of Holy Cross Seminary
• Fr. Peter Gillquist, Chair of the Antiochian Archdiocese Department of Missions and Evangelism
• Fr. Wilbur Ellsworth, Pastor of Holy Transfiguration Church, Warrenville, IL
• Dn. Michael Hyatt, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing

Antiochian synod meets, Bp. Mark seeks entry into OCA

I waited to report on this news story until I had more to say. Below the official antiochian.org announcement is a letter reposted by the blog 150 knots of Bp. Mark speaking of the meeting's proceedings and his decision to seek release to the OCA. If you want some history on the Bp. Mark issue and the possible material to be covered in this meeting, I can recommend this article to start.

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(antiochian.org) - This weekend, the regular Fall meetings of the Archdiocesan Synod of Bishops and the Archdiocesan Board of Trustees will be held in Jacksonville, Florida. The Archdiocesan Synod will meet during the morning of Friday October 22, 2010. The Archdiocesan Board of Trustees will meet in their first session during the evening of Friday October 22, and will reconvene during the morning of Saturday October 23.

We ask all of the faithful for your fervent prayers for our hierarchs and the members of the Board of Trustees that their meetings will be greatly blessed.

And the letter...

Dear to God,

Beloved brethren, as there are many rumors floating around regarding the recent Synod Meeting in Jacksonville, FL; I feel it necessary to clarify a few points. Yes, our Bishops discussed at length my service in the Diocese of Toledo, after which, the decision of Metropolitan Philip was to move me to the North West.

As I already struggle with seasonal affective disorder, I felt a move to the NW would be a detriment to my health and asked for a release to the OCA no later than by the year’s end. This will allow me opportunity to discuss reception into the OCA with the OCA synod and begin the search for housing and pack.

His eminence metropolitan Philip was agreeable to this and I will continue to visit the parishes of the Diocese until I am released. At present, I am planning to go to the OCA’s synod meeting in Syosset, NY November 15-19. I ask your God-pleasing prayers for a productive Synod Meeting.

You will be receiving the new guidelines for the Hierarchs of the AOCANA shortly. Our respective Bishops will continue to be commemorated. Let us move forward in peace and brotherly love.

Yours in Christ,

+Bp Mark

Please remember our diocesan missions in your parish’s charitable giving. If there is a mission in your deanery support the pastor and his work as much as possible.

Your unworthy father in Christ,

+Mark

Office of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest

Man adopts over 50 children to save them from abortion

"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."

- James 2:18

Final synodal propositions sent to Pope

As reported earlier, the synod for the Middle East (composed of Latin and Eastern Catholic representatives) came up with hundreds of propositions to send to the Pope of Rome that were then whittled down to 44 propositions. The entire list can be found here. Below are some that I found to be interesting.

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Propositio 11
Pastoral practice for emigration

The presence of numerous Eastern Christians in all the continents challenges the Church to devise an appropriate pastoral programme in light of emigration:

1. the Eastern bishops are to visit the seminaries of the Middle East to present the situation and the needs of their eparchies;
2. the formation of seminarians with a missionary spirit, open to different cultures;
3. the preparation and accompaniment of priests missioned outside the patriarchal territory;
4. the promotion of vocations work in the communities outside of the patriarchal territory; and
5. the sending of priests and the establishment of their own eparchies wherever the pastoral needs require them according to the canonical norms.

Propositio 13
Emigration - Formation

We urge Churches in the countries which receive immigrants to be familiar with and to respect Eastern theology, traditions and patrimonies, and that this be reflected in their norms, and sacramental and administrative practices. This will help collaboration with Eastern Churches present in those countries, and in the formation and pastoral care of their faithful.

Propositio 16
Communion within the Catholic Church

"The Holy Catholic Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ, is made up of the faithful who are organically united in the Holy Spirit by the same faith, the same sacraments and the same government and who, combining together into various groups which are held together by a hierarchy, form separate Churches or Rites. Between these there exists an admirable bond of union, such that the variety within the Church in no way harms its unity; rather it manifests it" (Orientalium Ecclesiarum, 2). To strengthen this communion, we recommend:

1. the creation of a commission of cooperation between the Catholic hierarchs of the Middle East, which will be responsible for the promotion of a common pastoral strategy, better understanding of one another's traditions, inter-ritual institutions and joint charitable organizations;
2. the organisation of regular meetings between Catholic hierarchies of the Middle East;
3. the sharing of material resources between rich and poor dioceses;
4. the foundation of a priestly association, Fidei Donum, for the mutual assistance of eparchies and Churches.

Propositio 18
The Jurisdiction of Patriarchs

Outside of the patriarchal territory, in order to maintain the communion of the Eastern faithful with their patriarchal Churches and to provide them with appropriate pastoral service, it is desirable to study the question of extending the jurisdiction of the Eastern Patriarchs to cover members of their Churches wherever they live throughout the world, with a view to taking appropriate measures.

Propositio 23
Married Priests

Clerical celibacy has always and everywhere been respected and valued in the Catholic Churches, in the East as in the West. Nonetheless, with a view to the pastoral service of our faithful, wherever they are to be found, and to respect the traditions of the Eastern Churches, it would be desirable to study the possibility of having married priests outside the patriarchal territory.

Propositio 28
Ecumenism

Unity between the disciples of Christ in the Middle East is above all the work of the Spirit. It is to be sought through a conversion of the heart, in a spirit of prayer, respect, perseverance and love, far removed from any trace of the mistrust, fear and prejudice which constitute such obstacles to unity. We wish to see our Churches renew their ecumenical commitment through practical initiatives:

• by supporting the Council of the Churches of the Middle East;
• by providing our parishes, schools and seminaries with formation in an ecumenical spirit, underlining the achievements of the ecumenical movement;
• by implementing any pastoral agreements which may have been made;
• by organising meetings of the faithful and pastors for prayer, meditation on the Word of God and collaboration in all areas;
• by adopting a standard Arabic translation of the Our Father and the Nicene Creed; and
• by working for a common date for the celebrations of Christmas and Easter.

The Eastern Catholic Churches, living in communion with the Church of Rome and in fidelity to their Eastern traditions, have a vital ecumenical role to play.

The synod fathers urge these Churches to inaugurate an ecumenical dialogue at the local level. They recommend also that the Eastern Catholic Churches take part as much as possible in international commissions for dialogue.

Propositio 29
Feast of Martyrs

To inaugurate an annual feast in common for all the martyrs of the Churches of the Middle East and to request each Eastern Church to draw up a list of its own martyrs, witnesses of the faith. This was written with special emphasis on the martyrs of the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

Propositio 39
Liturgy

The biblical and theological wealth of the Eastern liturgies is at the spiritual service of the universal Church. Nonetheless, it would be useful and important to renew the liturgical texts and celebrations, where necessary, so as to answer better the needs and expectations of the faithful. This renewal must be based on an ever deeper knowledge of tradition and be adapted to contemporary language and categories. This proposition has struck a chord in traditional Catholic circles as it is a lesson learned post-Vatican II (read: Novus Ordo). Much has been said about the need for organic growth over manufactured change where the life of the Church is concerned - especially in her liturgy - so that renewal means change with full respect for Tradition and not with an eye to the tastes of the current culture and perceived expediency of abbreviation or suppression of ancient customs.

Propositio 44
The Virgin Mary

Holy Mary, the Virgin of Nazareth, who shows us how to listen to the Word of God, is the Blessed Daughter of our land. From the very beginning of Christian history, it was the theological reflection of our Eastern Churches which led to the decisive and glorious definition of Mary as "Theotokos", Mother of God.

In the liturgies of all our Churches, the Virgin Mary has a place of honour and is the object of the special love of all the People of God.

This Daughter of our land, whom all peoples call blessed, is justifiably invoked as Mother of the Church, especially since the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.

Aware of the special bonds which, by God's design, unite us to the Mother of Jesus, we propose that our Churches come together and jointly entrust the entire Middle East to the protection of the Virgin Mary.

God bless Texas!

The Rangers celebrate winning the game beating the Yankees 6-1. Texas Rangers play the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series - Game 6, Friday, October 22, 2010, at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, TX. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Max Faulkner)

Orthodox "Fraternal Delegates" on the Middle East Synod

The Vatican continues to publish material from proceedings of the Synod of the Latin and Eastern Catholic bodies in the Middle East. The complete listing of summaries can be found here (AUDITIO DELEGATORUM FRATERNORUM).

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H. Em. Georges KHODRE
Greek-Orthodox Metropolitan of Byblos, Botrys and Mount Lebanon
(LEBANON)

“This communion within the Universal Church is manifested in two ways: firstly, communion in the Eucharist; secondly, communion with the Bishop of Rome”.

The ambiguity of this statement rotates around the use of the term Catholic Church as well as the tie of the Eucharist with the Pope. Now, the expression begins with Saint Ignatius of Antioch, and designates communion in a local Church united in Orthodox faith to his bishop in such a way that the liturgy mentions him without referring to another ecclesial authority. The mention of the Bishop of Rome in the liturgy outside of one’s own diocese introduces the idea of a universal Church mentioned in the Instrumentum laboris and repeated in the inaugural Mass of this synod. The word introduces a numeric, spacial, sociological note while the Catholic Church is constituted herself first locally by Lord as His Body. Does not the Universal Church have as her corollary the existence of a universal bishop who would exercise a jurisdiction over a world independently of the Eucharist, the only sign of communion between Christians? It is the Eucharist that makes us everywhere a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation”.

In mentioning the Pope of Rome in the Eastern liturgies we are inviting the Churches to a practice the East has never known.

H. Exc. Michael LANGRISH
Bishop of Exeter
(UNITED KINGDOM)

I bring Greetings from His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. We are mindful of the emigration of Christians in much of the Middle East and of the circumstances which can make it difficult for them to remain and flourish. This is a situation about which there is too much ignorance among Christians in the West. Anglicans seek to play their part, alongside the historic churches of the Middle East in raising the awareness of governments and the media as well as their own members. We seek to join together in a prophetic re-engagement with the scriptures, assured of the hope and truth of the incarnate Word of God. These matters were discussed by the Archbishop and Holy Father during the recent Papal visit to the UK. Through study, prayer, advocacy, pilgrimage, and through drawing the Eastern Catholic Churches as fully into our ecumenical dialogue as our Orthodox brothers and sisters, we seek to grow in our ability, by God's grace, to hold fast, in the one body, to the one Lord by whom we are called and sanctified.

H. Em. Mar Gregoios Yohanna IBRAHIM
Metropolitan of Alep
(SYRIA)

First of all His Eminence Gregorios presented the greetings from His Beatitude the Patriarch to His Holiness Benedict XVI, and expressed his wish that the Synod should have a successful outcome. He then touched on three important topics, namely:

1. The emigration of Christians from the Middle East, which he defined as a fatal illness, saying that up to now this topic had not received enough attention; the proof of this is that massive emigration continues everywhere. The number of Christians is dropping every day and in order for this illness to be treated and suitable solutions found to bring this phenomenon to an end a special conference is required.

2. As regards the ecumenical journey, His Beatitude put forward a new suggestion to His Holiness the Pope, namely separating communion from authority. In this way the whole Church enters into a single communion and unity in faith goes back to being what it was before the era of the divisions.

3. As regards relationships with the Muslims, His Beatitude affirmed that the most dangerous enemy Christians and Muslims have to face is ignorance, which is what often dominates religious discussion, creating tensions, instability and conflict between Christians and Muslims. He suggested that the Christian Church promote enlightened thought and entrust itself to moderates.
In conclusion, he made the following suggestions:

1. Even if this topic has already been dealt with by other Synodal Fathers at this assembly, this is the time and place to draw it to your attention and then to proceed from a rapid study and translate it into reality: this is a general request of all the Christians of the Middle East, that is, finding a solution to unify the date of the Feast of Easter. Christians are waiting impatiently to see their unity represented by this symbol. So will it be this venerable Synod that takes the decision to unify the Feast of Easter? His Beatitude the Patriarch Gregorios Laham has announced it on various occasions, in fact he came close to realizing this dream of all the Churches of the Middle East on unifying the date of Easter. This could be the first step towards the longed-for Christian unity.

2. Our Churches are rooted in persecution and we in the East are the children of martyrs. We must not forget the martyrs of the 20th and 19th centuries, the victims of inhuman massacres, or what we Syriacs call Sifo. My proposal is that Your Holiness adopt the idea of a single feast for the Christian martyrs universally and that requires no more than the consensus of all the Christian Churches, so that a day may be established for the celebration of the Feast of the Martyrs everywhere. We will thus have taken another step towards Christian unity and, at the same time, we will perpetuate the memory of our holy martyrs every year.

“A Taste & Tour of the IOCC" event to be held in Dallas

On Sunday, November 14, 2010, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, TX along with the support of the Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood will host the annual fund raising event for the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

It is hoped that food from all of these countries will be served.

• Albania
• Bulgaria
• Ethiopia
• Eritrea
• Georgia
• Greece
• Lebanon
• Russia
• Romania
• Serbia
• Ukraine
• Turkey
• Texan (I know it’s not a country) but it's Texas

Our parishes are blessed to be Pan-Orthodox in make up and this event would like to take the opportunity to share our different foods and display our cultural items that are indigenous to our countries.

The suggested minimum donation for the evening will be

• $15.00 Adults
• $5.00 Children under 12

Please be reminded that ALL PROCEEDS will be going to the IOCC

If you are unable to attend or you would like to offer to underwrite any portion of the evening, a donation in any amount to the IOCC would be greatly appreciated.

Breaking News: the future

Fr. Patrick Reardon on anger

A great reposting of Fr. Patrick Reardon's Pastoral Ponderings is available at the blog Again and Again. Anger, as the article points out, is often misunderstood. I think most people see anger in purely negative terms - the idea that we should have a Jedi's tranquility, and this short article digs into that line of thinking.

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Anger is troublesome. Among Christians striving seriously to live the mandates of the Gospel, I wager, anger is the sin most often mentioned in the Sacrament of Confession. Alas, it also has a remarkably long shelf life.

High among the problems attending anger is this: In the classical inventories of the passions, anger is the only one with no opposite impulse. Each of the other passions is paired with a reciprocal antithesis: love is matched by hatred, desire by aversion, hope by despair, fear by boldness, and joy by sorrow. Only anger stands by itself, with no corresponding emotive pull in the opposite direction (cf. St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica Ia IIae q. 25, art. 3). If you get angry, you’re just stuck with it until it goes away!

Another problem with anger is that it is not, in every instance, a thing to be avoided. This is hardly surprising, since the morally proper object (finis) of anger is justice. Indeed, life in this world presents occasions when the refusal to become angry is likely a moral defect.

Another problem with anger, I believe, is that some Christians entertain unreasonable expectations with respect to it. For instance, in Confession they repent of “correcting children in anger.” I admit, of course, that children can be (and often are) emotionally harmed by parental displays of anger, and none of us would say that it a good thing. On the other hand, it would hardly be preferable for children to grow up with no experienced memory of anger as an expected response to bad behavior...

Complete article here.

Venerable Lot of Egypt, on carrying another's burden

Venerable Lot of Egypt (5th c.) commemorated today.

He was one of the company of ascetic Fathers who fled the world into the Egyptian desert in the fourth and fifth centuries.

Once Abba Lot went to his spiritual father Joseph and asked him, simply, 'What shall I do to be saved?' Abba Joseph stretched his hands toward heaven and his fingers became ten flames. He said, 'If you desire it, you can become entirely as a fire.'

A brother once came to Abba Lot in terrible distress and said to him, 'I have committed a great sin, that I cannot admit to the Fathers.' 'Confess it to me and I will bear it for you,' answered the Elder. 'I have fallen into fornication,' the brother said, 'and to do so, I sacrificed to idols.' The Elder said to him, 'Take heart: no sin is beyond God's mercy. Repentance is always possible. Go and sit in your cave; eat only every other day, and we will each take an equal share of the burden of your offence.' After three weeks of keeping the same penance, Abba Lot received assurance from God that the brother's repentance was acceptable. For the rest of his life, the brother served as the Elder's disciple.

Catholic Middle East Synod pulls all-nighter

Video fits in with overall topic, but isn't completely representative of the below news story.

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Synod of Bishops for the Middle East has hit the crunch point.

This morning, the 185 voting members were given the first draft of the “propositions” in Arabic, French, English and Italian. The final proposals will be given to Pope Benedict XVI as suggestions for use in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation.

There are 41 different proposals in the first draft; they are the result of a multilingual committee sifting through and consolidating the 194 propositions submitted by the small working groups.

The fact that the committee worked until 2 a.m. on putting the list together and translating each proposal means they have to be forgiven for missing a few things — even if they’re big things — said Maronite Archbishop Paul Nabil Sayah of Haifa, Israel.

Winnowing through 194 ideas submitted in either French, Arabic or English and translating them all into four languages overnight is a great achievement, “so we can be lenient,” the archbishop said.

The first thing his small group did this morning, he said, was list the items that inadvertently got left out. Surprisingly, because so many synod members mentioned them as essential to the church’s work and mission, Catholic schools were not the topic of one of the 41 draft proposals. Also missing, he said, were references to young people and youth ministry, to laity in general and to the social work and medical care offered by the church in the region.

The bishops are back in their small groups working on amendments to the 41 proposals. They are scheduled to vote Saturday on the final version to give to Pope Benedict.

Then the real work begins, Archbishop Sayah told reporters at a briefing today. “Ultimately what matters is what we bring to our people and how it impacts their lives day to day.”

Matryoshka dolls and Christ who lives in us

Ancient Faith Radio puts out a lot of new podcasts. Some of them worth bending my ear for and some I choose to close my ears to. Most of the time I take a few minutes to give a listen, and, if I like it, subscribe. Often I can tell from the topic being discussed if it won't be my cup of tea, sometimes I find that I've been subscribed for a few weeks and unsubscribe knowing I'll never listen again, and sometimes (rarely really) I'll feel I've made a discovery that I feel obliged to tell people about. The podcast 'A Voice From The Isles' is one such "discovery."

I listened to Fr. Gregory Hallam's podcast entitled 'Indwelling: Gal 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ.' and was hooked. I drove to work and sat in the parking lot unable to turn the key until it was over. For me, those homilies that can immediately applied to the congregation's lives are the most worthwhile. Certainly there is a place for more high brow fare about things esoteric, but for me as a parent if I can simplify and distill the message to my children later in the week during dinner I consider the homily invaluable to my domestic church.

Certainly the Church provides much to teach children apart from the words of the parish homilist (I read the Prologue to my kids most nights during dinner with some simplification and narration to keep their attention.), but if I can show the importance of listening to the Gospel and attendant homily I feel I've given them something of inestimable value. Last year I taught the teens in Sunday school and was shocked (among other things) by their complete inability to tell me what the Gospel reading was about or what our priest had said in his homily. They simply hadn't listened. Sunday after Sunday I'd start the class with the same question and every Sunday I was met with blank stares. As many bishops have said in recent days, there is no replacement for the spiritual care given by one's family (parents and godparents). If you show by example and by practice that the "sit down time" after the Gospel is important (not a potty break, not a time to get some water, not an opportunity to surreptitiously read the parish bulletin or check your cellphone for missed calls or texts), they will eventually get the message.

So, returning to the aforementioned podcast, I was struck by Fr. Gregory's use of Russian nesting dolls to explain Christ's indwelling in those of faith:

BRETHREN, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

He expertly interweaves Scripture and imagery to impart not only our relationship with Christ, but also His relationship with the Godhead and our relationship to all men. I highly recommend you listen to his podcast (embedded below) and possibly, as I am going to do tonight, get your babushka doll out and take a few minutes to speak on the topic to your children.

Another looted item returned to the Orthodox Church

(spc.rs) - The Catholic Church in Germany returned a looted gold cross to Serbia on Tuesday, 65 years after it was stolen from an Orthodox monastery by an unidentified German soldier.

Hans-Josef Becker, archbishop of Paderborn, handed over the cross at the Serbian embassy in Berlin, an embassy spokeswoman said.

The treasure is a gilded cross with a base so it can stand upright on a table and a hollow space for a religious relic.

It had been on display in the bishop's diocesan museum in Paderborn since after the Second World War. It had been looted from the 800-year-old monastery at Zica, south of Belgrade, at the end of the Second World War and taken to Germany by the soldier.

Germany has been stepping up efforts to recover its own lost art which was seized by the Soviet Union in reparation after the war, and has also been working to identify looted art on German soil so it can be sent home to other nations.

And Also...

(spc.rs) - His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch met yesterday in the Serbian Patriarchate His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Venice; Apostolic Nuncio Mr. Orlando Antonini and Archbishop of Belgrade Mr. Stanislav Hocevar. The reception was attended by Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno.

Cardinal Angelo Scola was a guest on October 19, 2010 at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade where he lectured on a theme Christianity in a dialogue with the modern world.

During his visit to Belgrade Cardinal Angelo Scola visited the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the St. Sava Memorial Catedral in Vracar, monastery of Rakovica and the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Notes from GOARCH Eparchial Synod

(GOARCH) - The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America convened in its regular fall meeting on October 13 - 14 at the Synodal Chamber of the Holy Archdiocese in New York. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America presided and participating were also the Members of the Synod.

The Holy Synod deliberated on the following issues:

1. Educational and Youth: The Holy Eparchial Synod had the opportunity to exchange ideas on issues of Religious Education. The Synod was briefed on the work of the Department by its director Dr. Anton Vrame. It was emphasized that Religious Education should be extended beyond the children and adolescents to include adults. The beneficial effect on the youth offered by youth camps, liturgical and cultural opportunities, and other programs was determined, especially by the didactic success of the use of the new media used by the Religious Education Departments of the Archdiocese (i.e. magazines, CDs etc.)

2. Clergy: The Eparchial Synod dealt with issues of the spiritual, bodily and psychological health of the clergy, and decided to take measures to promote their psychosomatic well being. On the same subject, it was decided to strengthen the candidates to the priesthood through relevant lessons during their studies.

3. Canonical: The Holy Eparchial Synod, after a long working session, finalized the text on Regulations for Spiritual Courts. In addition, the Holy Synod discussed canonical issues pertaining to the clergy, and made pastoral and disciplinary decisions.

4. Inter-Orthodox: There was a report and a discussion on the Pan-Orthodox Episcopal Assembly, that took place this past May in New York, as well as the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Assembly, with his All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople in September of this year.

5. Liturgical Issues: The Holy Eparchial Synod worked on a text of Holy Services: of Orthros and Vespers. Also, the Ecclesiastical Music was a subject of relevant discussion, which concluded with specific proposals.

In addition to the detailed discussion on the above subjects, there was also discussion on the Special Educational Program for Deacons, as well as the important Conference that will be held in Brussels, for the support of religious rights and freedom for our Ecumenical Patriarchate. The conference is organized by the Archons of our Ecumenical Patriarchate, who are members of our Holy Archdiocese of America.

The Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod participated in the morning of October 14th in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council, and on the following day in the first meeting of the new term 2010-2012 of the Archdiocesan Council.

KJV Road Rage

From The Sacred Sandwich:

Fr. Thomas Hopko on the future of Orthodoxy in America

(AOI) - It’s not clear what is now happening for the establishment of an autocephalous Orthodox Church of the United States made up of the member churches of the former SCOBA. These are my questions:

• What concrete steps are now being taken to establish an autocephalous Orthodox Church of the United States that would be recognized as a “sister church” by all the autocephalous Orthodox churches in the world?
• What can Orthodox Christians in North America and around the world expect the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Antioch, Moscow, Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria to do with their North American “jurisdictions” to establish this self-governing Orthodox Church of the USA?
• How will the future Orthodox Church of the USA relate to the dioceses and parishes in Canada and south of the US border that are now in North American “jurisdictions”?
• And why should there be any problems regarding the OCA and its place in the US Episcopal Assembly and in the future Orthodox Church of the United States if the relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and its North American missionary diocese was settled in 1970 and the OCA was always included in SCOBA?

It seems clear, at least to me, that the only real challenge in establishing an autocephalous Orthodox Church of the USA is the resolution of the current relationship between the old world patriarchates and their new world “jurisdictions”. There are no other problems. The Patriarchates of Constantinople, Antioch, Moscow, Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria have to bless their North American “jurisdictions” to interact with each other in establishing the autocephalous Orthodox Church of the United States. And the North American “jurisdictions” have to be willing to accomplish this task. That is all that is necessary...

Complete article here.

Notes from Episcopal Assembly for Oceania and Asia

(spc.rs/SOC-AU) - The members of the First Episcopal Assembly of all canonical Orthodox Bishops of Oceania welcomed the opportunity to meet in Sydney from 16-18 October, 2010 under the chairmanship ex officio of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia.

The Assembly commenced with a Divine Liturgy manifesting our essential eucharistic unity at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, Redfern, Sydney.

In accordance with the decisions of the pre-conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference convened in Chambésy, Switzerland from 6 - 13 June, 2009, the canonical Orthodox Bishops met in a brotherly spirit, and after lengthy and edifying discussion centered on issues of mutual concern, such as pastoral care, catechesis, liturgical life, reaffirmed the unity of all canonical Orthodox Churches.

Consequently, we strongly condemn all of those who attempt to destroy the precious unity of our Church through adherence to new or existing schismatic groups and sects in our region.

In order to safeguard and contribute to the unity of the Orthodox Church in Oceania, the members of the Assembly unanimously agreed upon the formation of the following three Committees relating to:

1) Campus Ministry: cultivating the Orthodox faith amongst our University students and shielding them from the effects of proselytism, co-chaired by Their Graces Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Church and Bishop Ezekiel of the Greek Archdiocese.

2) Inter-Orthodox Liturgical Services: embracing common Pan-Orthodox services and adopting a unified approach to pastoral and liturgical issues, co-chaired by Their Graces Bishop Mihail of the Romanian Church and Bishop Seraphim of the Greek Archdiocese.

3) Canonical Issues: compiling a list of all canonical bishops and other clergy of Oceania and a secondary list of schismatic groups and sects which attempt to promote themselves as being canonical Orthodox. This Committee is chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos and consists of representatives from each Orthodox Church.

The Assembly looks forward to meeting in years to come to continue working for the good of Orthodoxy in our region.

Malankara Catholic Church in US installs head

(Youtube) - The first Exarchate of the Malankara Catholic Church in USA, Mar Eusebius, is installed. The ceremony was officiated by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis.

"Orthodoxy in the Home" conference slated for February 2011

Q: What is the goal of this conference?

A: Technology today allows for communication possibilities that were not possible even a short time ago. There are several companies who provide Internet based communication for large groups of people to hold meetings, conferences, and to keep in contact with one another on a regular basis over great distances. This medium allows individuals and large groups to collaborate with one another at a fraction of the cost it would otherwise cost to travel to another state or country.

We have an opportunity to gather Orthodox Christians from across the nation to listen to Orthodox speakers talk about and discuss education within our churches, schools, and homes. A webinar will allow a substantially greater number of parents, teachers, clergy, godparents, and friends to attend this conference versus a physical conference with the obstacles involved with travel and costs.

This conference will provide the opportunity to inform and share with others about some of the educational resources currently available to Orthodox Christians. Our goal is to present some of these resources and ideas to all of you as a catalyst for the further growth and development of your educational programs in your hometown parishes, homes, and schools.

On "The Way," an Introductory Course to the Orthodox Faith

The Way is the new course introducing the Orthodox Faith from the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies. It draws on the elements of hospitality and human social relations in sharing the Christian faith used in the well known Evangelical programme, the Alpha Course. But it takes a distinctively Orthodox theological approach - for instance on the Liturgy and the sacraments, the Mother of God, the life and structure of the Church and human salvation - and this is integral to the course. The 12 weekly sessions consist of:

• a meal together
• a talk on a central aspect of Christian belief
• free discussion in small groups
• a question and answer session and panel discussion

More information available here.

Middle East Synod summary of speeches

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Specific synod suggestions for a common Catholic-Orthodox celebration of Easter, wider authority for Eastern Catholic patriarchs -- including participation in conclaves to elect a pope -- and the need for local dialogue with Muslims and Jews were repeated in the midterm report of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East.

Coptic Patriarch Antonios Naguib of Alexandria, Egypt, the synod's recording secretary, presented his summary of synod speeches and suggestions Oct. 18 and gave synod members a list of 23 questions to discuss in their small working groups.

The questions were designed to help synod members draft proposals to be presented to Pope Benedict XVI before the synod formally ends Oct. 24 with a Mass.

The need for a common date for Easter, and also for Christmas, "is a pastoral necessity," especially because of the numbers of marriages between Christians of different churches and because it would be "a powerful witness" of Christian unity in the region, the patriarch said.

The continuing emigration of Christians from the Middle East, especially the emigration of the young and the well-educated, threatens the very survival of Christianity in the region in which it was born, the midterm report said.

War, conflict, economic and political pressures all have combined to urge people to flee the region, the report said. Christian leaders and all people of good will must pressure their political leaders to work for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and an end to the ongoing violence and instability in Iraq, it said.

Read more »

On seminarian blogging...

From a seminarian friend of mine...

Patronal Feast day of Protection of the Theotokos in Harbin

(orthodox.cn) - At the patronal feast day in the only opened church in Harbin, of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos, Fr Michael Wang, the priest from Shanghai of Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, during which several dozen Chinese and Russian believers prayed. For Orthodox believers in Harbin the clergy visit is a rare opportunity to take part in religious services.

Celebration of the Shroud of the Theotokos at Peć Monastery

(SOC-Raska-Pizren) - This year's feast of the Shroud (Omophorion) of the Virgin Mary was solemnly celebrated at Peć Patriarchate Monastery with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia. Decani monks were chanting the service. The Liturgy was attended by a few hundred believers from Serbia, Montenegro as well as from local Serbian enclaves in Metohia. More wonderful photos available here.

The truth about conference Q&A sessions

H/T: Paideia

Celebration for millennial anniversary of Georgian cathedral

(st-catherine.ru) - On October 14, 2010, with the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH of All America and Canada and by invitation of the Georgian Orthodox Church, His Grace, Bishop MICHAEL of New York and New Jersey together with Archimandrite Zacchaeus, Representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Moscow Patriarchate participated in the celebration of the 1000th Anniversary of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Life-Giving Tree in Mtskheta, Georgia. Also accompanying His Grace, Bishop MICHAEL was Archpriest Alexander Tandilashvili who, while still a cleric of the Georgian Orthodox Church, serves in the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of New York and New Jersey.

The celebration began with the festal Divine Liturgy led by His Holiness and Beatitude ILIA II, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, together with His Beatitude ANASTASIOS, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania and also His Beatitude, Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER, Archbishop of Prague and Primate of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia; Representatives of each of the 15 Local Autocephalous Orthodox Churches; and hierarchs and clergy of the Patriarchate of Georgia at the Cathedral of the Life-Giving Tree in Mtskheta. A very special blessing for all in the Cathedral was the presence of one of the nails that were used when Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was affixed to the cross and crucified for us and for our salvation on Golgotha. Following the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, this holy item was available for veneration.

Following the Divine Liturgy congratulatory remarks were offered by the Primates of the Churches of Albania and the Church of the Czech lands and Slovakia to the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Likewise, official greetings of His All Holiness, Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch were read by his representative at the event, His Eminence, Metropolitan JOHN of Pergamon. Afterwards, a festal luncheon was offered for all the guests together with His Holiness and Beatitude, Patriarch and Catholicos ILIA II of Georgia. Following the luncheon, His Grace, Bishop MICHAEL of New York and New Jersey and Archimandrite Zacchaeus were received by the Georgian Patriarch for a private meeting during which the greetings of His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH of All America and Canada together with those of the Holy Synod of Bishops, the Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America were conveyed.

Read more »

Episcopal Assembly for Oceania and Asia coming up

(spc.rs) - On the occasion of the Episcopal Assembly of all canonical Orthodox Bishops of Oceania and Asia, which will take place in Sydney from 16th-18th October 2010, there will be on Sunday 17th october 2010, from 7:30 am in the Cathedral of the church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, Redfern, a concelebration of the Divine Liturgy, presided by His Eminences Hierarchs Paul of the Antiochian Church, agapit of the Russian, Irinej of the Serbian, Michael of the Romanian, Their Eminences Metropolitans Amphilochios of New Zealand, Ambrosios of Korea, Nectarios of Hong Kong, and Their Graces Assistant Bishops Ezekiel of Dervis, Seraphim of Apollonias and Nikandros of Dorylaion, assisted by Priests of all jurisdictions.

We invite you to pray together with us. After the Liturgy, refreshments will be served in the Main Hall of the Theological College, next to the Cathedral.

In Sydney, 5th October 2010.

Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA

LIFE TRANSFIGURED tells the story of the Orthodox Christian Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Mother Alexandra, a former Romanian princess, and was consecrated in 1968. This vide3o explores the history, daily life and commitment of these women as they pray, worship and extend hospitality and counsel to visitors seeking a relationship with God.

Blessing of an "Orthodoxy or Death" banner in Moscow

Moscow (ru-news.ru) - On Saturday, 09 October at Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit pastor Abbot Sergius (Rybko) consecration of the new banner "Orthodoxy or Death!" was performed. Consecration took place at the request of Orthodox-patriotic organizations.

Reports from the Middle East Synod

Fr. Maximos from Holy Resurrection Monastery points to a great resource entitled 'Index of stories from Synod of Bishops on the Middle East,' which catalogues all the stories from the synod updated daily. I would also like to point to Fr Hunwicke's Liturgical Notes for an editorial on some of the demands made by synod representatives.

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(HRM) - The best reporting I’ve seen on the current Synod of Bishops on the Middle East is, here. John Allen really does seem able to distill many of the most important issues. He made the point that this is the first time in modern times that a Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church comprises a majority of voting members from the Eastern Churches. I’ll be throwing in my two cents over the next few days . . .

Eastern Catholics ask for greater recognition, respect

These are not new requests. There is a long and often contentious history here. Respect for Eastern Catholic patriarchs, for particular (those of the sui iuris Churches) canon laws, for the married priesthood, and for equal treatment in Latin-dominated countries are all issues brought up over and over again. In many cases the response from Rome is that allowing Eastern Catholics to act as they do "at home" would be a scandal (σκάνδαλον, stumbling block) to the Latin faithful. The intent is to avert difficulties, but the message received is that the Latin Church is superior and normative while the Eastern Churches are being given leave to do only those things Rome permits. This sort of behavior must stop if they hope (as Rome has said) to show the Orthodox Church how union might look in a post-schism Church. Things like 'Ea Semper' and 'Cum Data Fuerit' still hold sway.

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VATICAN CITY (CNEWA/CNS) — The vast majority of Catholics in the Middle East belong to Eastern Catholic churches, and their bishops spoke loudly at the Vatican, asking for greater respect and a higher profile for Eastern Catholics.

Reflecting the Catholic population of the region, 140 of the 185 voting members of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East come from the Eastern Catholic churches, and several of them addressed the synod Oct. 12.

Not only did they ask for recognition of their rights, they also emphasized the work they need to do to strengthen the Christian identity of their faithful, preserve their heritage and end a sense of rivalry that can exist among Catholics of different rites.

Bishop Vartan Waldir Boghossian, the Argentina-based bishop for Armenian Catholics in Latin America, used rather strong language to get across points made by other Eastern Catholic bishops, particularly regarding limits placed on Catholic patriarchs when providing for their faithful who have emigrated from their traditional homelands.

The Eastern Catholic churches, while in full communion with the pope, have their own canon law and disciplines, their own liturgies, spiritualities, histories and heritage. While they tend to be identified with one country or geographical region, many of them now find that the majority of their faithful live abroad, Bishop Boghossian said.

And, he said, “of the 23 churches in their own right that make up the Catholic Church, only one — the Latin church — is not subject to this limitation” of the authority and power of the patriarch and synod being confined to the churches’ ancient geographical borders.

For example, while the bishops of the Armenian Catholic Church elect bishops for dioceses in Armenia, it is the pope who selects Armenian bishops for dioceses in the United States or Australia.

The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches described the patriarchs as “fathers and leaders of their churches,” Bishop Boghossian said. “This paternity and jurisdiction must not be limited to a territory,” especially when the majority of the church’s members live outside that territory.

In addition, he said, the patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic churches, “because of their identity as fathers and leaders of the ‘sui iuris’ (self-governing) churches that make up the catholicism of the Catholic Church, ipso facto should be members of the college that elects the pontiff without the need for the Latin title of cardinal. For the same reason, they should also take precedence over them,” he said.

Currently, three of the Eastern Catholic patriarchs are cardinals; in the Vatican’s list of precedence, they come after the handful of cardinal-bishops and before the cardinal-priests and cardinal-deacons.

Coptic Bishop Antonios Aziz Mina of Guizeh, Egypt, said that especially when there are more faithful of an Eastern church living outside than inside the church’s territory, “it is not entirely logical that some faithful who belong to a ‘sui iuris’ church have no relationship with the church they belong to, other than liturgically."

“My request is that the patriarch be granted personal jurisdiction over the faithful of his church wherever they might be,” he said. This would be a huge change.

The Coptic bishop also asked Pope Benedict XVI to revoke a decision made in the 1930s that Eastern churches can ordain married men only in their traditional homelands. This would be even more monumental.

Msgr. Robert L. Stern, general secretary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, told the synod that by emphasizing the geographical limitation of an Eastern Catholic patriarch’s authority, the church was, in effect, working counter to a vision of the church as a network where unity does not mean uniformity and where communion grows through communication and sharing.

“In the model of network, many churches in the same territory is normal, and rivalries and attempts to proselytize or dominate are inappropriate,” he said.

Latin-rite Archbishop Jean Sleiman of Baghdad, Iraq, told the synod that for the survival of the Catholic Church in the Middle East, “a rigid or exaggerated” emphasis on belonging to one ritual church family must give way to cooperation and coordination of pastoral activities.

“Communion is especially contradicted by confessionalism. Rites are transformed into confessions,” he said.