ROCOR delegation in Jerusalem

(ROCOR) - On Monday, September 23, 2013, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, arrived in the Holy Land, leading a large group of over 100 pilgrims from the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. Greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, His Eminence then headed for Ascension of the Lord Convent on the Mt of Olives. There, Metropolitan Hilarion venerated the convent’s holy relics, blessed the welcoming Abbess Moisseia and the sisters and asked for their holy prayers.

The next day, His Eminence paid a visit to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, where he was warmly greeted by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine. Addressing the pilgrims accompanying Vladyka Hilarion, His Beatitude noted that worshipers who venerate the holy places connected with the earthly life of the Savior are like Apostle Thomas, who was strengthened in faith when he made contact with the wounds of the Resurrected Christ. His Beatitude expressed gratitude to Vladyka Hilarion and the pilgrims visiting the Holy Land in a difficult period for the Christians of the Near East, because they are thereby exhibiting their brotherly love and support.

This pilgrimage to the Holy Land by the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad will include visits to holy sites, performing divine services, meeting with clergymen of the Russian Mission, monastics and the pilgrims from the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand which he also heads.

The answer is yes.

Writing for the Telegraph, Allan Massie asks, "Is baptising a puppy as scandalous as giving Holy Communion to a grown dog?" The theology that allows for "baptizing" an animal is so defective that I think a denomination that allows for it must be said to have fallen away into unchristian territory. One simply can't recreate the relationship of God with mankind into one that makes the same relationship of God with the rest of creation. Truthfully, annual "blessing of pets" events make me a bit queasy because they are an opportunity to misconstrue this special covenant of man with his God.

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(The Telegraph) - Somewhere in the house there are probably copies of the handsome Duckworth editions of Ronald Firbank (Five Novels and Three Novels) published way back in the Fifties, not that I feel any desire to search for them. “I think there would be something wrong with a middle-aged man who could take pleasure in Firbank”, Evelyn Waugh wrote in his own middle-age. All the more so doubtless in old age. Finding such pleasure in his books wouldn’t be so much a case of that second childhood into which we may all drift as senility encroaches, but of something perhaps more disturbing : a second adolescence, for Firbank is a writer to delight rather precious and affected youth – perhaps only precious and affected youth like the hero-narrator of Alan Hollinghurst’s novel, The Swimming-Pool Library.

Yet I found myself thinking of Firbank this morning, and indeed of the pleasure I once got from his self-consciously naughty, if also technically interesting, novels. The trigger was reading Damian Thompson’s blog post about the Australian Catholic priest, Fr Greg Reynolds, who has just been excommunicated by the Pope. His offence was not, apparently, not only his approval of women’s ordination and gay marriage, but also his “violation of the Eucharist”, or his permitting of such violation when a communicant at his Mass took the consecrated bread, fed it to his Alsatian dog, and was neither reproved nor ejected.

Here we have a happy example of life imitating art, or fact fiction, for the opening line – I think it is the opening line – of Firbank’s novel, The Eccentricities of Cardinal Pirelli, reads: “A christening, and not a child”. It is indeed a puppy, perhaps, though memory may be playing false, a German Shepherd (Alsatian) on whom the Cardinal is sprinkling the baptismal water.

Incidentally when Sandy Wilson made a delightful musical of Firbank’s novel Valmouth more than half a century ago, he was so taken with the eccentric Cardinal that he transferred him from his own novel to Valmouth, and gave him a splendid song in which he declared his love for all the Ritz Hotels of the world – “when I go to the Ritz in New York, they give me the bridal suite”, before maintaining that his “Cathedral of Clemenza is the Ritziest of them all.”

I suppose Pope Francis would have drummed Cardinal Pirelli out of the Church too. As it is, I can’t remember anything of the Firbank novel except that christening of the puppy.

The life of an Orthodox priest in Jerusalem

(OCMC) - Fr. Alexander Winogradsky and his work in Jerusalem have been supported by the OCMC since 2007. The work he is doing there is both complex and consuming. Below, he shares about some of his work.

My participation in the presence of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem consists of many activities. First, I participate in regular celebrations and Holy Confession at the Holy Sepulchre while my church of Saint Nicholas is under repair and should be finished for his name day on December 19th, God-willing.

My participation in the nighttime Divine Liturgies enabled me to introduce Hebrew as a "usual language” of prayer, which is new. I serve in different churches through the country, which is quite difficult because of the lack of substantial funding and the absence of churches in the south; there I have to serve in hotels or at homes.

I participate in the meetings of the Municipality of Jerusalem as consultant for ameliorating and strengthening the contact between Israeli Eastern Orthodox and the Israeli society. I also participate in the Ecumenical gatherings of the two main inter-faith groups: the "Circle of the Friends" and "The Ecumenical Fraternity", in which I act as a member of the Steering Committee.

Every year, in January, I organize and participate in the Ecumenical Week of Christian Prayer and act as the official representative of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Over the past nine years, I slowly but steadily insisted that the week begin at Golgotha, with the presence of the various denominations at the "Greek Orthodox Compline" with the participation of a Bishop of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

I continue to visit the sick. It is often not that evident in many hospitals. I try to strengthen the contacts with the Israeli Hospital staff and usually have no problem; often I am even invited to some local think-tanks on diseases and the meaning of suffering.

As a priest, I often have to bury the Eastern Orthodox faithful. The special event this year was that I buried a Ukrainian female pilgrim who had been helping the International Hadassah Hospital at the Mount Zion Orthodox cemetery. It was the very first time that such a funeral took place at the Mount Zion Orthodox cemetery, in Hebrew, Ukrainian, and Russian at the request of His Beatitude Theophilos of Jerusalem and the Israeli authorities.

Israel is a fully international place; thus, I spend a lot of time in Holy Confession or spiritual guidance to both the Israeli Eastern Orthodox and to the visitors from the former USSR. At the moment, we have a lot of people from China, Brazil, South Africa, and India that work in Israel. Many are Eastern Orthodox, and the Church of Jerusalem has not been prepared to assist those who readily grew up in the country in the course of the ten past years.

On September 6, 2013, I signed an agreement to publish two books: one in French on "A Year in Jerusalem", describing the actions I have been developing in the country and showing what is going on throughout a year; the account is based on parallel explanations of the Orthodox and Jewish texts read each week by each denomination. The Editions du Cerf in Paris' American parent publishing house will publish a "one year summary" of my blogs as they had been published over three years in the "Jerusalem Post".

This is and will be long work. However, the present situation of the Church locally implies enhanced and strengthened positive contacts between the Church and Judaism, the local Churches, Hebraism and Israeli culture and reality, at all levels and vice versa.

Fr. Alexander Winogradsky has an online blog where he records the work he is doing in Jerusalem. To read more about the work he is doing and to follow his work, you can find him here or on Facebook here.

"Heyr himna smiður" live at a train station, Germany 2013

(arstidir.com) - After our concert in Wuppertal, Germany, we realized that the reverb/echo of the train station outside the venue favored singing, so we spontaneously decided to try it out with the old Icelandic hymn "Heyr himna smiður."

From Wikipedia: Notwithstanding his opposition to bishop Guðmundur, sources indicate that Kolbeinn was a devoutly religious man of some education. He is best known for composing the hymn Heyr himna smiður (English: "Hear, Heavenly Creator") on his deathbed. It is now a classic and often-sung Icelandic hymn. The song, which accompanies the text was composed by Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson, over 700 years later. The original text is presented here with 19th-century Icelandic spelling and a rough, literal translation into English.

Heyr, himna smiður, hvers skáldið biður. Komi mjúk til mín miskunnin þín. Því heit eg á þig, þú hefur skaptan mig. Eg er þrællinn þinn, þú ert drottinn minn. Guð, heit eg á þig, að þú græðir mig. Minnst þú, mildingur, mín, mest þurfum þín. Ryð þú, röðla gramur, ríklyndur og framur, hölds hverri sorg úr hjartaborg. Gæt þú, mildingur, mín, mest þurfum þín, helzt hverja stund á hölda grund. Send þú, meyjar mögur, málsefnin fögur, öll er hjálp af þér, í hjarta mér.

Listen, smith of the heavens, what the poet asks. May softly come unto me thy mercy. So I call on thee, for thou hast created me. I am thy slave, thou art my Lord. God, I call on thee to heal me. Remember me, mild one, (or mild king. This is a pun on the word mildingur). Most we need thee. Drive out, O king of suns, generous and great, every human sorrow from the city of the heart. Watch over me, mild one, Most we need thee, truly every moment in the world of men. send us, son of the virgin, good causes, all aid is from thee, in my heart.

The "Reformed" Orthodox Church in Lansing, New York

(Lansing Star) - The Reformed Orthodox Christian Church celebrated its first anniversary Sunday with a lunch at Saint George Orthodox Church on Myers Heights. The congregation had a lot to celebrate. After 50 years with no assigned priest, the The Reformed Orthodox Christian Church reopened the historic church for regular Sunday services just over a year ago. Priest Matthew Binkewicz (link to earlier story on his efforts) and parishioners have done a lot of work on the building since then, and today it stands as a restored gem of Lansing's past and present.

The church was founded by Syrian immigrants who worked at the Cayuga Lake Salt Company. The plant, located below the church on Salt Point, was begun in 1891 to produce table salt using a deep well process. When it opened the plant had 100 employees. The company provided housing, and around the late 1920s the church was built to accomodate the immigrants who worked there.

The plant finally closed after a fire in 1962, and the community dwindled. With fewer worshipers the Orthodox Church stopped sending a priest, but the Divine Liturgy service was held at the church once a year. Occasional weddings and other events were also celebrated there since the '60s.

Last August that changed when the Reformed Orthodox Christian Church began holding services there. A spin-off of the Orthodox Church, Binkewicz says this congregation is an inclusive church whereby Roman Catholic, Protestants and other Orthodox Christians are welcome to worship and receive Holy Communion.

Patriarch John X of Antioch meets with Pope Francis in Rome

(Rome Reports) - It was a historic meeting between Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, and Patriarch John X, the leader of the Orthodox Church of Antioch, one of the oldest Christian communities in the Middle East.

Monasticism: Traditions & Modernity conference in Moscow

(mospat.ru) - On 23 September 2013, the International Conference ‘Monasteries and Monasticism: Traditions and Modernity’ opened at the Moscow Theological Academy. Taking part in the forum, organized by the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism, are archpastors, abbots and abbesses, monastics and theologians from Russia, Greece, Cyprus, Poland and Serbia.

Among the members of the conference presidium are Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations; Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol (Orthodox Church of Cyprus); Archbishop Feognost of Sergiev Posad, chairman of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism; Bishop Feofilakt of Dmitrov, vicar of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Bishop Veniamin of Borisov, vicar of the Minsk diocese; Bishop Varnava of Pavlodar and Ekibastuz; Bishop Zinovy of Elista and Kalmykia; Bishop Savva of Voskresensk, vicar of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Bishop Nikon of Shuya and Teykovo; and Bishop Savvaty of Tara and Tyukalinsk.

Archbishop Feognost conveyed to the participants a blessing from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and called on them to hold a frank discussion on topical issues in order to “elaborate common principles for overcoming difficulties which monasteries and monastics are now facing in their life.” One of the major topics of the conference, according to Archbishop Feognost, is a discussion on the draft Statute of Monasteries and Monasticism. The Commission of the Inter-Council Presence, the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism, as well as fathers and mothers superior of Stavropegic monasteries and convents have been working on this document for three years.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolasmk addressed the meeting on Monasticism as a Mystery of the Church and answered questions from participants.

Speaking at the two-day forum will be archpastors, abbots and monks from various countries. At the conclusion, the participants will hold a general discussion and adopt a final document.

Update on women monastics in Antiochian Archdiocese

I would be very surprised if many women from the Antiochian Archdiocese didn't flock to this monastery in short order.

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(Antiochian.org) - His Eminence Metropolitan Philip has announced the following three appointments for the Convent of St. Thekla in Glenville, PA. The Convent of St. Thekla is a monastic community of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Effective immediately, Mother Eisodia (pictured right) is appointed the Acting Abbess of the convent, and Sister Kathrina will join the community. Effective September 1, 2014, Very Rev. Mark Sahady is appointed the Chaplain of the Convent following his retirement from the Air Force.

Mother Eisodia is a native of Los Angeles, California, and she attended college in Portland, Oregon. She has worked in the secular world as an engineer, and was raised in the Presbyterian faith. Her journey to Orthodoxy was fulfilled with her reception into the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. She received her monastic formation in Greece, and later moved to the U.S. She has travelled to Orthodox monasteries in Romania, Greece, Great Britain, France, and Mexico.

Sister Kathrina is a native of Homs, Syria, and received her education in Syria. She received her monastic formation at the Convent of St. Thekla in Maaloula, Syria, where she was in residence for more than 10 years. We welcome her to the U.S. as she comes here for the first time.

Father Mark Sahady is currently a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force and holds the rank of Lt. Col. He is a native of Waynesburg, PA, and is a graduate of St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary in Crestwood, NY in the class of 1989. He has served as the pastor of St. Mary Church in Wilkes Barre, PA, and initially was a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves. He became a full-time active duty chaplain in the Air Force in 1994. In addition to his service at various bases in the U.S., Fr. Mark has served in Ramstein, Germany and Tokyo, Japan. He will assume his duties as chaplain to the convent in September 2014, after his retirement from the Air Force.

We rejoice in these appointments, and thank God for the blessings that he has bestowed upon our newly formed monastic community in Glenville, PA. May the work of this community be always blessed.

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) interviewed on Syria situation

Met. Philips draws a line between the original Syrian opposition that sought expanded freedoms and the foreign Al-Qaeda fighters seeking the extermination of Christians.

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(Here & Now) - Syrian military forces continue to battle Islamic rebels near the ancient Christian town of Maaloula, Syria, where some residents still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ.

Most Maaloula residents have fled, but nuns and orphans remain holed up in Mar Tekla, one of the town’s two early Christian monasteries.

They are members of the eastern orthodox Church of Antioch. Its leader in the U.S., Metropolitan Philip Saliba, is concerned about their safety.

Philip is a strong supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He joined church leaders in calling for a special “Day of Solidarity” in churches yesterday, with a special collection made for victims in Syria “who are suffering so terribly.”

ROBIN YOUNG, HOST:

It's HERE AND NOW, and before the break we heard about a report from the U.N. today in which inspectors concluded that there is clear and convincing evidence that chemical weapons were used against civilians on a large scale in Syria last month. Meanwhile, the al-Qaeda-linked Islamic group the Al-Nusra Front is claiming responsibility for killing at least 30 members of President Assad's minority Alawite sect during an attack on three villages in central Syria this last week. And Syrian military forces continue to battle rebels near the ancient Christian town of Ma'loula.

Now that is home to some of the oldest Christian sites in Syria, including a convent where nuns and orphans remain holed up, refusing to leave as fighting rages around the city. They are members of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Antioch, and their leader here in the U.S., Archbishop Philip Saliba, is concerned about them. He joins us on the line from his office in Englewood, New Jersey, Archbishop Saliba, tell us more about your fears.

ARCHBISHOP PHILIP SALIBA: My concern is about St. Thecla's Convent and other holy places in Syria, which are threatened. The people of Ma'loula still speak the language of Christ, the Aramaic language, and this is the uniqueness of this town, and we are worried about its destruction. Already 400 families have left from Ma'loula. They fled to Damascus.

YOUNG: Can you describe it more? Describe the sites that are there...

Complete article here.

Life. Live it.

The Bishop of Rome on synodality

From an article entitled "A Big Heart Open to God," an interview with Pope Francis, who spoke a bit on relations with the Orthodox Church.

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The Roman Curia

I ask the pope what he thinks of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the various departments that assist the pope in his mission.

“The dicasteries of the Roman Curia are at the service of the pope and the bishops,” he says. “They must help both the particular churches and the bishops’ conferences. They are instruments of help. In some cases, however, when they are not functioning well, they run the risk of becoming institutions of censorship. It is amazing to see the denunciations for lack of orthodoxy that come to Rome. I think the cases should be investigated by the local bishops’ conferences, which can get valuable assistance from Rome. These cases, in fact, are much better dealt with locally. The Roman congregations are mediators; they are not middlemen or managers.”

On June 29, during the ceremony of the blessing and imposition of the pallium on 34 metropolitan archbishops, Pope Francis spoke about “the path of collegiality” as the road that can lead the church to “grow in harmony with the service of primacy.” So I ask: “How can we reconcile in harmony Petrine primacy and collegiality? Which roads are feasible also from an ecumenical perspective?”

The pope responds, “We must walk together: the people, the bishops and the pope. Synodality should be lived at various levels. Maybe it is time to change the methods of the Synod of Bishops, because it seems to me that the current method is not dynamic. This will also have ecumenical value, especially with our Orthodox brethren. From them we can learn more about the meaning of episcopal collegiality and the tradition of synodality. The joint effort of reflection, looking at how the church was governed in the early centuries, before the breakup between East and West, will bear fruit in due time. In ecumenical relations it is important not only to know each other better, but also to recognize what the Spirit has sown in the other as a gift for us. I want to continue the discussion that was begun in 2007 by the joint [Catholic–Orthodox] commission on how to exercise the Petrine primacy, which led to the signing of the Ravenna Document. We must continue on this path.”

I ask how Pope Francis envisions the future unity of the church in light of this response. He answers: “We must walk united with our differences: there is no other way to become one. This is the way of Jesus.”

Complete article here.

Final Assembly of Bishops meeting notes

(AOB) - In the final day of its annual meeting, the Assembly agreed to issue two statements—one on the Church’s unchanging position on marriage and one expressing grave concern over the escalating violence in the Middle East. The Assembly also released a message to the faithful on the conclusion of Assembly IV.

The three statements can be found here: statement on marriage; statement on violence in the Middle East; and message to the faithful.

In other business, the Assembly voted unanimously to re-elect Bishop Basil as secretary and Metropolitan Antony as treasurer. Archbishop Demetrios recognized and commended them for their devotion to the Assembly over the past three years. The Assembly also reviewed and approved the 2014 budget. The Assembly expects to hold its next meeting in September 2014. More documents pertaining to the Assembly, including the minutes and 2014 budget, will be forthcoming on the Assembly's website.

The hierarchs concluded the meeting by singing the Apolytikion of Pentecost: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. O Befriender of man, glory be to Thee.

The price of greed and exploitation

Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

- Psalm 22:22-23

Someone please make sense of this for me.

From the Archdiocese of Canada (here):

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(OCA-CA)- The Hesychastic Society of the Most Holy Mary is the Metochion of the Monastic Society of St. Silouan the Athonite

Mission: The Fraternity is specifically designed as a monastic haven for Aboriginal and Autistic Orthodox, who are called by Christ and His Church to pursue a life of radical hesychasm and little folly, under the protection of the Most Holy Theotokos; though the Society will welcome others who are similarly called. As a Fraternity, the Hesychastic Society is idiorhythmic in nature; and egalitarian, though spiritual deference is given to the elder brother.

Notes from second day of Assembly of Bishops meeting

(AOB) - The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops endorsed a proposal to plan for a North American Pan-Orthodox Youth Gathering of high school students. The proposal was put forth by the Committee for Youth. The gathering will enable Orthodox youth from all jurisdictions to come together, share in their faith, bear witness to the Church, and build bridges across our Orthodox family.

The gathering, which will be organized by jurisdictional youth departments, is slated to happen in 2016 or 2017. In the period leading up to the national event, local and regional youth activities will be planned.

The Assembly also reviewed a model for canonical restructuring of the Church in America, which was presented by the Committee for Canonical Regional Planning under the leadership of Archbishop Nicolae. The model was a further development of one put forth at last year’s Assembly meeting. The hierarchs engaged in a lengthy discussion and provided comments. Based on the feedback, the committee will continue the process of developing a model that will garner the consensus of the hierarchs. As an immediate step, the committee’s membership will be expanded to represent the viewpoints of every jurisdiction.

It was acknowledged that the unique history and experiences of each jurisdiction in the US results today in a range of responses to ecclesiastical unity. In particular, one of the major points of discussion was the pastoral care of recent Orthodox immigrants and the need for any future action to consider the needs of these communities.

Metropolitan Antony read a resolution congratulating Archbishop Demetrios on the 14th anniversary of his enthronement as Archbishop, which occurred on this date in 1999. Also given special acknowledgment was Bishop Maxim, who in the last year has authored four books.

Church burned then robbed

(My Fox Philly) - Late last month, a massive blaze destroyed the St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in East Oak Lane. No one was injured, but the 91 year old structure was left in ruins.

Now, as if to add insult to injury, burglars have struck what remains of the iconic church, leaving its members shocked and angry.

Any church community will tell you it's faith is often put to the test. However, for St. Mary the Protectress, which has served the local Ukrainian orthodox community for more than 40 years, faith has been stretched to the breaking point.

"It's a, it was, a beautiful church...a beautiful house of worship," Church Board president John Prasko told FOX 29.

St. Mary's leaders wandered the iconic structure, destroyed by fire just over three weeks ago, in a daze. No doubt wondering how fate could be so cruel.

"Well, it's a double-whammy," said Steve Harris, a member on the church board. "It was bad enough that a lot of things went up in flames and we could never restore this church … to its former glory."

And now this: burglars broke into what was left of the church early Monday evening and stole several candelabras that had fallen to the floor during the fire. They also took eight large candle stands and a gold-plated challis and discus used in weekly services.

In a side room, the church's main chandelier, gleaming in gold-plate but covered in soot, remained.

"It's too big and they got in through that small window in the cellar," explained Prasko when asked why he thought it wasn't stolen. We asked why anything of value was left in the church after that massive August blaze.

"We were told by the insurance company that the inventory had to be taken by them," said Prasko. "Don't touch anything. Don't remove anything."

The thieves didn't get that message. Now, once again, St. Mary's leaders must pick up the pieces, at least those left behind by thieves.

"Who would do such a thing, you know? It's hard for us to imagine that anybody would steal things from a church, and especially when the church and the parishioners have experienced such a tragedy. I don't know, someone who is heartless?" said Prasko.

A witness called police to report seeing two Hispanic men, one with a beard and the other wearing a red shirt, loading the stolen artifacts into a ford pick-up truck and driving off on Monday evening. This parish saw its faith tested by fire last month. Now, members are left to consider what kind of person would steal from them in their hour of darkness.

Diocese of AK gets new website & date for diocesan assembly

(OCA) - The Diocese of Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America’s new web site made its debut recently, according to Archimandrite David [Mahaffey], Administrator.

The site also has a new address—www.doaoca.org.

“While some of its features are still being developed, the site has a new and updated Parish Directory with Google Maps and embedded videos of diocesan events,” said Father David. “The site’s development is being overseen by Father Innocent Dresdow in cooperation with Orthodox Web Solutions’ Father John Parsells and Father John Schroedel, who are improving the site’s overall look.”

In related news, the Alaskan Diocesan Assembly will be held October 18-20, 2013 in Anchorage.

On Friday, the clergy and matushki will gather with the Diocesan Administrator for dinner and a question and answer session with the clergy, followed by a tea with the matushki. Later that evening, the Diocesan Council will meet.

Saturday morning will open with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, followed by dinner with His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Alaska, and plenary sessions. Archbishop Benjamin will preside at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning.

Notes from the first day of the Assembly of Bishops meeting

(AOB) - The first day of meetings of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America reflected a growing collegiality and cooperation among those present. Forty-three hierarchs representing 11 jurisdictions are in attendance. The morning began with hierarchs participating in a common celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, IL.

“Today…we are here together in unity and joy in full awareness of the truth that the love of Christ has brought us together and is with us,” said Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman of the Assembly, in his opening remarks to the hierarchs. “As we stand with awe, having prayed the Divine Liturgy and received the precious Body and Blood of our Lord, we are not only in God’s presence but also more importantly, we experience His presence as one undivided Body—His Body.”

His Eminence asked the hierarchs to keep in mind a number of issues over the course of the next several days: the threat to Orthodox Christians in other parts of the world and the kidnapped Syrian bishops whose whereabouts are still unknown; the responsibility to offer a complete and authentic image and experience of Christ to faith-seeking Americans; and an acknowledgment of our many blessings and the accompanying responsibility to promote and share the Orthodox faith to those who are suffering and in need.

His Grace Bishop Basil, Secretary of the Assembly, initiated a candid conversation in the afternoon on the vision of the Assembly, and how the Assembly is to interpret and act on the Chambésy decision. Break-out groups followed, in which hierarchs shared their views and then reported back to the group at-large. Further discussion on this topic, including proposals for canonical restructuring, is planned for Wednesday.

An outcome of Tuesday’s meeting was the creation of a new committee to oversee agencies and endorsed organizations. The committee will review recommendations that have been made as to the relationship between the Assembly and its agencies and organizations, and determine criteria for future agency and organization endorsement. The committee’s members will be those hierarchs who serve as agency liaisons, with a chairperson to be appointed.

Prayers for the Assembly of Bishops meeting in Chicago now

Pat. Kirill at consecration of Armenian cathedral in Moscow

(mospat.ru) - On 17 September 2013, a solemn ceremony of the consecration of the church complex belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church took place in Moscow, in Trifonovskaya Street.

Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians officiated at the consecration. Attending the celebration was His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

At the main gate of the church complex, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was met by Bishop Ezras (Nersisyan), head of the New Nakhichevan and Russia diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Among the honorary guests of the ceremony were Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Russian and Armenian statesmen, representatives of Christian confessions and the Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist communities.

His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II addressed the participants and numerous guests of the celebrations. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill also greeted all those present, saying in particular:

“With a special feeling, I would like to greet the Armenian community in Russia on the occasion of this momentous historical event. We know that in hard times the Armenian community had endured as much suffering as other Christian communities in our country, and the churches erected by the Armenian people in the territory of Russia were often subjected to destruction. Such fate befell the Armenian churches in Moscow and when, much later, the Armenians got an opportunity to gather together for prayer, it was in a small chapel in the Armenian part of the Vagankovskoye Cemetery. We know that the size and appearance of the chapel could not meet the real needs of the Armenian community. And I would like to express my gratitude to You, Your Holiness, and to His Grace Bishop Ezras for the efforts you have made to build a church in Moscow which by its size and splendor would satisfy the needs of the large Armenian community living in the territory of the Russian Federation and in Moscow in particular…

“Our Churches – the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church – have been maintaining fraternal cooperation for centuries. This Christian foundation forms a common platform which helps the Armenian and Russian people to develop their spiritual life… I am deeply convinced that the further development of relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church, our joint work and projects will foster the spiritual growth of our people and, therefore, contribute to strengthening bonds between our nations – the bonds which are stronger than any political and economic relationships. For we know that there were times when no political or economic relations existed but people lived in peace and respect, treating each other as brothers and sisters. God willing, the spiritual growth of the Russian and Armenian people will contribute, among other things, to strengthening brotherly relations between our nations and countries. I would like to wholeheartedly greet You, Your Holiness, and all those present on the occasion of such remarkable celebration.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Patriarch Kirill, Catholicos Karekin and President Serzh Sargsyan opened a monument symbolizing fraternal relationships between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

On clergy anger

(ministrymatters.com) - As I coach pastors, one of the most pervasive issues is clergy anger. Anger, of course, is just one half of the vicious cycle of anger-depression. Clergy are more likely to admit to depression, because admitting anger makes them feel too guilty. Yet admitting depression ... without admitting the root cause of repressed anger ... is a form of dishonesty with self and God and sidetracks clergy into fruitless therapeutic jargon or superficial "fixes". Eventually, failure to acknowledge and address chronic, repressed anger debilitates clergy and they are no longer effective leaders.

For example, clergy often excuse their depression as fatigue or frustration. Their "remedy" is to be more diligent about time off, or to take a sabbatical. Clergy often rant about fickle churchgoers, or blame culture undermining programs. Their "remedy" is to be more caustic in the pulpit, or take cold comfort in explaining failure as some confirmation of faithfulness.

Yet the real cause of clergy depression today is anger—repressed anger—and it is not anger at workloads or lazy volunteers. The proof of this is that even when they do take time off, or even when volunteers do show up for work, or even when programs are successful... clergy are still depressed. Further proof is that heavy workloads and lazy volunteers have always been true in the church, and you can read clergy complaints about it over hundreds of years ... and yet those past clergy who probably labored harder and experienced more frustration that we do were happier and felt more fulfillment than clergy today...

Complete article here.

Some people need to learn how to shut their mouths...

From the Matt Walsh Blog, a post entitled "Dear parents, you need to control your kids. Sincerely, non-parents." As the parent of many children from teen-aged to just walking, this post had a lot of resonance for me. I've come a long way from l'esprit de l'escalier impotence of my early years in parenting. Gone are the days where I let rudeness shock me initially only to be replaced by simmering rage for days to follow. I now respond immediately... in love (albeit occasionally tough love) with my ripostes both as a moment of instruction and for my own sanity.

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To the fan I lost yesterday:

I don’t owe you an explanation, but I thought I’d offer one anyway. I do this more for your sake than mine. You see, maybe, as you later suggested, I was in a bad mood. Maybe I could have been a bit more polite about it. Maybe I’m more sensitive to it now that I have kids. Maybe I’m just sick of hearing these comments about parents. Maybe I know that my wife has to take the twins with her when she goes grocery shopping sometimes, so she could easily be on the receiving end of your sort of bullying. Maybe I took it personally.

Whatever the case, there I was, walking down the aisles of the grocery store looking for the ingredients for a new chili recipe I wanted to try. I heard the kid screaming from a distance; the whole store heard him. It was a temper tantrum, a meltdown, a hissy fit — it happens. Toddlers are notorious for losing their cool at the most inconvenient times. Nobody likes to hear it, but it happens. You’re out running errands with your little guy, everything is fine, and next thing you know he’s in full-on rabid poodle mode. It’s humiliating and emotionally draining, but what can you do? Pull out that large glass sound proof aquarium you carry around and stick your kid in it so nobody can hear him shriek? That’s a possibility, but the logistics don’t always work. Slightly more realistically, the peanut gallery probably expects you to drop all of your groceries and immediately run into the parking lot, so as to save them from having to deal with the spectacle. But it’s not always that simple; maybe you don’t have time to shut down the whole operation just because Billy’s gone nuclear.

It wasn’t that simple for the mother of this kid. I finally came across her in the beans aisle. She had a cart full of groceries, a kid riding along, and another one walking beside her. Well, he wasn’t really walking so much as convulsing and thrashing about like he’d invented some bizarre, angry interpretive dance. He was upset about something, from what I gathered it had to do with a certain lucky cereal he wished to acquire, but which his mother refused to purchase. I felt his pain, poor guy. My mom never bought me sugary cereal either — “breakfast candy,” she called it. She used to get us Cheerio’s — “breakfast cardboard,” I called it.

I felt the woman’s pain even more. She could bribe her kid into silence, but she was sticking to her guns. Good for her, I thought. Sure, if she’d only meet his ransom demands, my bean purchasing experience would be a bit more pleasurable, but I was rooting for her nonetheless. Not everyone felt the same way, apparently...

Complete post here.

Greatest gathering in the history of the Serbian Church

(spc.rs) - From October 4-9 this year in Belgrade, Nis and Podgorica the greatest and the most representative gathering in the history of our local Church is taking place.

Primates and high representatives of the local Orthodox Churches, led by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartolomew, His Holiness Teophilos of Jerusalem, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus and His Beatitude Archbishop Sava of Warsaw responded to the invitation of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch to participate in both the Central, and the closing ceremony of the marking the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan. Besides delegations of the Orthodox Churches, the Central celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan will be attended also by representatives of the East Non-Chalcedonian Churches, then high delegation of Vatican with the representatives of the Roman Catholic Church from the region, heads of the Churches of Reformation, as well as different Christian organizations and associations from Europe and the world.

The arrival of the high guests is expected on Friday, October 4th, when there will be first meetings with our Patriarch Irinej and bishops. Belgraders will have an unique opportunity to greet Orthodox patriarchs, archbishops and other guests on Saturday, October 5th at 9 a.m. , when the Doxology will be served at the Cathedral Church. Following the Liturgy there will be official audiences and talks with Patriarch Irinej and Serbian archbishops, as well as the highest representatives of the authorities of the Republic of Srpska.

Read more »

Chaldean Patriarch seeks communion with Assyrian Church

(CWN) - The leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church has written to his counterpart in the Assyrian Church of the East, proposing that they bring their churches into full communion.

Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako sent a birthday greeting to the Assyrian Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV, and suggested that the two Eastern churches should “begin dialogue for unity, which is the desire of Jesus.” Full union with the Chaldean Church would also bring the Assyrian Church into union with the Holy See, he noted.

“The beginning of this dialogue is urgent today, in the face of great challenges that threaten our survival,” Patriarch Sako wrote, alluding to the uncertain prospects facing the Christian minority in Iraq. “Without unity, there is no future for us,” he said.

The Assyrian Church broke away from Rome in the 5th century, with the Assyrian Church showing sympathy for the Nestorian teachings that were condemned by the Council of Ephesus. However, leaders of the Assyrian Church have distanced themselves from the Nestorian doctrine, and in 1994 a Common Christological Declaration, signed by Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Mark Dinkha IV, seemed to resolve doctrinal differences.

The Chaldean Church, which was restored to unity with the Holy See in 1552, shares historical roots with the Assyrian Church, and the faithful of each body share the sacraments. But there is no formal agreement between the two churches.

“If we have recognized confessing the same faith, at this point I am wondering what the obstacles to walk together toward the recognition of full unity among us are,” Patriarch Sako remarked to the Fides news service. The Catholic prelate said that he would “await with trepidation” a reply from the Assyrian prelate.

Ignore college students at your own peril.

(UOC-USA) - Each September a Sunday is set aside for Orthodox Parishes across the country to focus on the lives of college students. As students settle on campus for another academic year, it is certain that they will encounter a world full of questions about the very meaning of life and how best to live it. They will be challenged by ideas both ancient and new. Campus life will confront them with issues from what it means to be human to how to understand sex and marriage. Today’s college students are tomorrow’s parish council members, Sunday School teachers and youth group leaders. More importantly, they are tomorrow’s parents and how they understand their faith and the Church will shape Orthodox Christianity in America for years to come.

Keeping college students connected to the Church has been the focus of campus ministry for decades. However, the question must be asked: What kind of Church are we keeping college students connected to? Is it a Church that frequently worships emphasizing ethos of various ethnic communities? Is it the social Church of meetings, committees, conventions and festivals? Or is it the Church founded by Jesus Christ and lived by the Apostles –a church that changes lives and since Apostolic times has “turned the world upside down” ?(Acts 17:5-7)

Church leaders have underestimated college students for well over thirty years often avoiding the great questions that society asks in an effort to make the Church more comfortable and less in conflict with the culture. An example of this is the issue of marriage. Over the past year there has been a vocal debate on the meaning of marriage on college campuses across the country. However, despite the rich moral tradition of the Church, campus ministries have remained silent and expressed discomfort in addressing such issues often avoiding the moral debates that are taking place. The end result confuses more than it helps students live their faith.

Questions and our ability to answer them matter. As Orthodox Christians, we do a great disservice to students when we avoid the questions society is asking. We do an even greater disservice when we do not share with them the answers to these questions that the Orthodox Church provides for fear of being shunned by popular culture. Young people do not want an Orthodox Church that is convenient or comfortable. They do not want a Church where moral questions are nuanced away as just “difficult issues”. This is not the courage of the Apostles and the Holy Men and Women of the Church who changed the world as we know it...

Complete article here.

St. Vlad's welcomes new students

(SVOTS) - “We have a full complement of students in all our programs this year,” said Pdn. Joseph Matusiak, director of Admissions at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, “with 20 new seminarians enrolled in our core Master of Divinity program, 15 new students in our Master of Arts program, and 4 new students in our Master of Theology program. “The campus is already buzzing with activity as new students begin Orientation,” noted Pdn. Joseph.

The 39 new seminarians are joining 28 returning students, twenty of which are continuing their studies in the Master of Divinity program; additionally, 5 part-time students and 10 more students who are finishing their degree program requirements are enrolled. The total student body for Academic Year 2013–2014 equals 83.

This video tells the story of Orientation, which began on Friday, August 23.

Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and Abuse in our Parishes

(OCA-NYNJ) - This video features a presentation on the “Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and Abuse in our Parishes.” As part of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey’s continuing dedication to addressing this matter concern, clergy and parish council members were invited to participate in three regional (by deanery) conferences during which Michael Herzak, a subject matter expert, presented valuable information and recommendations. The training was mandated by the Diocesan Assembly of 2012.

St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral to open in Moscow

(Armenian-WD) - On September 15, the Primate will depart for Moscow, Russia. Archbishop Derderian will join His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, high-ranking clergymen, representatives of the Diaspora, and government officials for the opening of St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral on September 17.

With construction commencing in 2008, the Cathedral will serve as the residence of His Grace Bishop Ezras Nersisyan, Primate of the New Nakhichevan and Russian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

"Calvin & Muad'Dib" for fellow Dune aficionados

"Holy holdup, Batman!"

Auxiliary Bishop Basil of Wichita on the upcoming assembly

(antiochian.org) - The Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) has posted an interview with His Grace Bishop Basil, Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, discussing the topic of the fourth annual meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America scheduled for September 17–19 in Chicago, IL. Bishop Basil is the Secretary of the Assembly and is deeply involved in planning the upcoming meeting.

In the interview, His Grace explains the significance of this particular meeting, which will address the following issues:

• How to affirm and realize the Assembly's vision
• Crafting proposals for canonical restructuring for the church in America
• Possible regional solutions and cooperative relationships between hierarchs who share geographical territory
• A proposal for national Orthodox youth conference

Ancient Faith Radio version

OCN version

OCA's Romanian Episcopate Congress held

(OCA) - The 81st Annual Episcopate Congress of the Romanian Episcopate of the Orthodox Church in America took place at the Diocesan Center “Vatra Romaneasca” (“Romanian Hearth”) here September 5-7, 2013.

This year marked the 75th Anniversary of the inaugural events that had taken place at the Vatra in 1938, when services were held and the property blessed by His Grace, Bishop Policarp [Morusca], the Episcopate’s first ruling bishop, and His Eminence, Archbishop Athenagoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

As customary, the Congress is hosted by a parish or mission of the Episcopate. Saint Elias Mission, Anjou, Quebec, Canada was this year’s host mission.

Congress participants were blessed by the presence of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, who attended all meetings and other Congress sessions.

The three-day event began at the Valerian D. Trifa Romanian-American Heritage Center with the Clergy Conference on Thursday September 5, after which the Akathistos Hymn was chanted. Later that evening, the Episcopate Council met to review the Report to Congress and other matters related to the Congress sessions.

Read more »

There's a "Keep the Filioque" website. Really.

H/T: Orthodoxy Christianity

The point of the filioque is that the Son is also the source of the Holy Spirit along with the Father. The Holy Spirit receives the divine essence not only from the Father, but also from the Son. In the West it has been proper to make the distinction that the Holy Spirit comes from the Father alone with respect to absolute, unoriginate, unbegotten cause, because only the Father is unbegotten and unoriginate, in which case one can say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father through (διά) the Son. However, in the West it is said that one must at the same time say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son also, as from a mediate, originated, begotten cause, and that the Son communicates the divine essence to the Spirit in exactly the same way as the Father...

Complete article here.

A clarification on the status of the Monastery of Sinai

On account of the fact that in the course of the last few days there have been made varied media reports about the Monastery of Sinai and the problems that it faces (which always according to the said self-same sources) result in creating among the Public Opinion impressions that do not correspond to reality, hereby we wish to inform you as to the following:

a. The southern Sinai region along with the broader area of the Monastery constituted-prior to the Political crisis in Egypt – the third most visited tourist destination in the Country (after the Pyramids and Luxor). For reasons of safety in relation with the movement of such a large number of foreign (mostly) Lay-persons,in this sensitive region, the local Directorate of the Tourist Police issued, as of a week ago, an Instruction for the temporary “Closing” of the Monastery in question to Tourists.

b. The said Directive concerned the numerous tourists and not the organized groups of Pilgrims,who, -though few- continued to arrive in the Sinai,on a Pilgrimage, upon request. The Gates of the Monastery (literally) remained open; hence, Monastic life continued as usual as well as the work of the Bedouin workers and the Pilgrims’ entrance.

c. Already, as of yesterday September 9th, the above deterrent local regulation has been lifted and the decision in this sense was officially announ-ced by the Minister of Environment of Egypt as it had been assessed, at a higher level, (and not at a local one, as had occurred during the “ban”) that there no longer existed any real reasons of risk. Thus there was satisfied the unanimous desire of the South Sinai Bedouin Tribes that had requested for the opening of the Monastery to the Public at large, as of the first moment.

d. It is absolutely not true that the Monastery went subject to any kind of assault, as it was circulated – to a limited extent among various media.

e. The episodes that are occasionally referred to as occurring in the Sinai concern the northern Sinai area, that is very distant from the Monastery (at least 500 km.); that is governed by a special status and which is characterized by a particular population composition that is completely different from the mountainous South Sinai region and its inhabitants, who are traditionally defenders of the Monastery and that have resisted strongly the infiltration of extremist elements.

f. However and in spite of the above, a fact that remains indiscutable is that
through the arrest of the Pilgrims’ influx as well as that of the halting of the tourists’ arrivals, due to the broader crisis in the Middle East, the Monastery has been driven to such a total economic state of adversity that it is unable to cope with its traditional obligations towards its Bedouin workers as well as to continue its charitable work in favour of the Desert dwellers. It is this highly sensitive point that constitutes, in the present phase, the Monastery’s most serious problem and therefore all those who love the Monastery should be made mainly aware of this fact so as to aid it in a matter-of-fact way, on the one hand, as well as helping it with the imperative duty of Prayer.

From the Holy Monastery’s Athens Dependency Office

Dorylaiou,26-P.A.C.115 21

Tel.:+30-210-64.61.401

A relic of St. Vartan the Brave arrives in New York

(Armenian-ED) - This week, New York became the permanent home to a unique piece of Armenia’s sacred history: a holy relic of St. Vartan the Brave.

The relic is the gracious gift of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, given to the Eastern Diocese in honor of the 45th anniversary of New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian accepted the relic on behalf of the Diocese during his recent trip to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The 1,500-year-old relic—a piece of stone encrusted with the blood of Armenia’s 5th-century warrior saint—is encased in a beautiful, hand-crafted silver cross, which was sanctified in a special ceremony at the Holy See in late August.

In its cross-shaped reliquary, the relic of St. Vartan will be unveiled to the public on Sunday, September 15, as part of the official celebration of the 45th anniversary of St. Vartan Cathedral. Archbishop Barsamian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the cathedral sanctuary, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The badarak will conclude with a hokehankisd (requiem) service for the souls of the departed cathedral godfathers and cathedral project committee members.

Following the services, a luncheon and program will be held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium—to which the public is cordially invited.

If you live in the New York region or are planning to visit this weekend, please join us for this splendid occasion.

Public Proskomedia in Macon, Georgia

(St. Innocent Church) - On Sunday, September 8th we had our annual "public" Proskomedia service where parishioners were invited to learn and witness the Proskomedia service.

Oriental and Eastern Orthodox clergy meet on Vashon Island

From the Morning Offering blog...

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The monastery hosted a gathering of local clergy serving Oriental and Eastern Orthodox parishes in the greater Seattle area. Priests of the Ethiopian, Coptic, and Armenian churches met together with members of the Washington Orthodox Clergy Association.

With the Islamic attacks taking place against Orthodox Christians throughout the Middle East, this gathering was particularly poignant. That the two Syrian bishops who were kidnapped some time ago, represented both the Oriental Orthodox, and the Eastern Orthodox churches, and were on a humanitarian mission together when kidnapped, made this gathering all the more important. It gave us all a chance to share our common Orthodox roots, and begin the process of building up brotherly support and friendship.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Abp. Demetrios holds memorial service in NYC

NEW YORK (GOARCH) – On the occasion of the 12th Anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Archbishop Demetrios of America will conduct a Trisgaion (Memorial) Service to honor the memory of all the victims who tragically lost their lives on that day.

The service will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 12:30pm at the new site of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (entrance located at Liberty and Greenwich Streets). St. Nicholas Church was the only house of worship destroyed on September 11.

A loss of Army protection means death for Syrian Christians

(CNSNews.com) – About 200,000 Christians still reside in the battle-weary city of Aleppo, Syria, but if the Syrian Army retreats in the face of ongoing attacks by Islamist rebels, the Christians “will be massacred,” said Rev. Raymond Moussalli, the patriarchal vicar of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Jordan, which borders Syria on the south.

Rev. Moussalli has spent many years ministering to Christians who have fled from Iraq (along the western border) into Amman, Jordan – Aleppo, Syria is about 320 miles north of Amman. Last week, Father Raymond was among 50-plus regional Christian leaders, and Muslim scholars, who spoke at a conference in Amman against Western military intervention into the region.

“The Syrian Army is protecting the Christian community [in Aleppo],” said Rev. Moussalli, as reported by BBC Monitoring Middle East. “But if [the Army] leaves, they will be massacred.”

There are about 2.5 million Christians in all of Syiria, and an estimated 220,000 in Aleppo, of which about 10% have fled because of the rebel attacks, said Rev. Moussalli.

Father Raymond Moussalli also criticized the West for supporting the Islamist rebels in Syria, reported the BBC, adding that, “If we [the West] are bombing Syria now, where are all the Christians going? There are 2 million.”

Other speakers at the conference included Ignatius Joseph Younan, patriarch of Antioch for the Syrian Catholic Church, who said, “We stress that we reject foreign interference in Syria.”

Also, Pope Anba Tawadros II, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, in Egypt, said in a statement: “We don’t accept any intervention by foreign powers … to protect minorities. It [intervention] is basically a pretext … to advance their countries’ interest in the Middle East.”

There are an estimated 500,000 members of the Chaldean Catholic Church in the Middle East. The church is in complete unity with the Holy See in Rome and under the leadership of Pope Francis. The Chaldean Catholic Church traces its origins back to Thomas the Apostle and its liturgical languages are Syriac and Aramaic, the latter the language that Jesus Christ Himself primarily spoke.

For the estimated 2.5 million Christians in Syria, most are Eastern Orthodox followed by Eastern Catholics, which includes the Assyrian Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Church.

Praying for persecuted Christians all over the world

The Church on Tubabao Island

(Orthodox Nepal) - On this day of the Feast of the Vladimir icon of the Theotokos, a Divine Liturgy was served in the chapel of the Mother of God on Tubabao Island. The new chapel is located on the site of the previous chapel of the Mother of God, built by the Russian refugees who lived on the island from 1949-51; the same chapel in which St. John Maximovitch concelebrated during his stay there. This was the first Liturgy to be served on the island in 62 years.

A small group of Orthodox pilgrims made their way from the city of Leyte to the town of Guian. Included in the group were the 10 newly baptized Christians from the ROCOR parish of St. Nikolai Velimirovich in Palo together with Fr. Sava Salinas, a priest of the Antiochian Archdiocese in Leyte, Fr. Philip Balingit, administrator of the ROCOR parishes in the Philippines, my co-laborer Fr. Dn. Silouan Thompson, a young journalist and TV presenter, the head of the local tourist association, and lastly and certainly least of all, I was blessed to be the celebrant of the liturgy.

We arrived in Guian on Saturday evening. Early Sunday morning at 5:45 am, we made our way to the docks and took a small boat across the water to the island of Tubabao.

From the landing on Tubabao, it is a short walk of about 1.6 kilometers. We walked down the same road that was used by the Russian refugees during their stay, passing the bamboo huts of the islanders on our way.

Finally we turned off the road and walked into the bush until we came to the new chapel.

Fr. Philip and the others began to hang icons in the chapel. I went into the sanctuary and began to establish an altar and table of preparation.

It was time for the Lord to act. Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dn. Silouan led the people in singing the responses in Waray, the local dialect.

At the conclusion of the service, icon cards were distributed to the faithful and the visitors (happily, a number of the local islanders attended the service). The obligatory pictures were taken and then it was time to leave. That is when something very unexpected happened.

As I was about to leave, Fr. Philip introduced me to an elderly woman, a resident of the island. “Father,” he said, “this is Emiliana. She remembers the Russians from when they were here.” I was very surprised to be meeting such a person and listened to her with joy. She explained to me that she was a child of 7 years when the Russians came to her island. She then smiled and greeted me with “Dobry utro!” Smiling again she said “Dobry den.” “These phrases I remember from the Russians” she said.

She told me that the Russians would ask her and the other children to gather flowers for the chapel. In exchange for the flowers, they were given bread; something she still remembers very fondly. Later, as we passed by her home on our way to the docks, she greeted me with one of the flowers and said “these are the flowers that they asked us to bring. They’re called ‘lag lag.” Their English name is the “remembrance flower” according to Emiliana.

But there were more surprises. The elderly man who lives next to the chapel is a catechumen of the Orthodox Church. His name is Meling. A few weeks ago, Meling was clearing the land next to the chapel, on the site where the Russians established a convent, and where it is hoped that one day a new Russian Orthodox monastery will be established. As he dug around the area, he found a silver baptismal cross. Clearly this cross had once belonged to one of the Russian refugees. Now it will be worn by Meling when he is baptized...

Complete article (and many photos) here.

Praying for Syria and those abducted in the conflict

(SOCMNet) - As per the call of His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch Gregory III Laham, head of Greek Melkite Catholics, praying in Damascus along with Mor Timotheos Matta Fadil Alkhouri, Patriarchal Assistant of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate, and others in Damascus on 07 September 2013 for the peace in Syria and the return of kidnapped Bishops.

"Security concerns" block inmates from marrying one another

(LifeSiteNews) – In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding a lower court order blocking California’s Prop. 8 ban on gay “marriage,” the California Department of Corrections announced this week that inmates in the state’s 33 prisons may “marry” their same sex lovers, effective immediately.

The only catch? At least for now, due to “security concerns,” prisoners cannot marry each other.

“Effective immediately, all institutions must accept and process applications for a same sex marriage between an inmate and a non-incarcerated person in the community, in the same manner as they do marriages between opposite sex couples,” M.D. Stainer, director of the Division of Adult Institutions wrote in a memo issued August 30.

Admitting that this may require some creative interpretation of state code regulating marriages of inmates, Stainer instructed prison officials that “the terms ‘bride’ and ‘groom’ … shall be interpreted to be gender neutral where necessary (i.e. ‘bride may be a male and ‘groom’ may be a female in a same sex marriage).”

But jailhouse lovers dreaming of a prison yard ceremony will have to put their dreams on hold. Anyone lucky enough to have found love within the prison walls will –at least for now – have to wait until at least one of them is released in order to make things official, according to the memo.

“(I)n furtherance of security concerns and other legitimate penological interests, a currently incarcerated inmate shall not, at this time, be permitted to marry another currently incarcerated inmate.”

Ancient Faith Radio tackled Syrian issue in two podcasts

(AFR) - "Crisis in Syria." Kevin is joined by Dr. Najib Saliba, Metropolitan Philip, and Samuel Noble to discuss the current crisis in Syria as well as the controversy surrounding the pending attack by the US.

(AFR) - "Syria, Assad, and the US." John Maddex has a conversation with Middle East expert Samuel Noble about the religious and political climate in Syria leading to the current situation with the United States contemplating an attack.

On vaccinations and faith

OrthoCuban has a post up on vaccination entitled "Texas, vaccinations, and here we go again." Knowing many people who choose not to vaccinate their children either at all or very selectively, I don't think it's as cut-and-dry as it is presented (e.g. I don't think all vaccines are as innocuous as popularly presented), but wanted to give the post more visibility. Please do comment on it.

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As you look at the video above, you will see that a whooping-cough epidemic has broken out in this country. The State of Texas has the worst of it; they are under a health alert. Already two babies have died. Medical authorities are appealing in various states for parents to vaccinate their children. More children may die because of the failure of parents to vaccinate their children.

I can only think, “Here we go again!” I have written more than one blog post dealing with the non-Christian idea that opposes faith to science. Because of the false idea that science and faith are opposed, many Christian parents have stopped vaccinating their children. When challenged they respond either with Bible verses that supposedly speak that we are to have faith, or they cobble together a series of arguments that appear to show that vaccination is worse than not vaccinating your children. In every case, there are both eisogetical and logical errors backing those very wrong conclusions. If all else fails, there is a very American ideal that gets cited. Somehow God does not want anyone to be able to speak into your family situation so that only the parents have anything to say about their children. If anyone dares to say anything, somehow they are violating God’s institution of marriage and the family. Both Holy Tradition and Scripture contradict this viewpoint.

Unfortunately for those parents, there is an empirical reality check. It is a reality check that indicates whether their thinking is correct. That reality check is that the more parents that do not vaccinate their children, the more that preventable childhood diseases return to the USA. Sadly, it is the children who pay the price for the mistaken thinking of the adults. Sadly, various Christian parents will speak of the need to have more faith or really true faith. Sadly, other Christian parents will quote discredited studies to continue to claim that it is worse to vaccinate their children. Sadly, for those parents, they will not be able to understand why their child is sick, why their ideas are ever so wrong.

Sadly, those very same parents with their unnecessarily sick children will help to contribute to the view that theologically conservative Christians are fools.

So, I have chosen to write again. I have little hope anymore that I will change minds. But, there are children who will pay the price. So, if I can even change the opinion of one parent, it will be worth it. Please vaccinate your children. It is the godly thing to do.