Byzantine, Texas

( otelders ) - In this video recording, Metropolitan Pavlos of Sisanion and Siatista (+2019) tells us a real story of an old woman who confessed to him and preferred rather to go to hell than to forgive her neighbor. The metropolitan then used a harsh method, which ultimately proved successful. I went to a village to confess people. An old lady came. She also had these [short of] stupid disputes. You will probably ask “how stupid can they really be?” I will give you an example. Fifteen years ago, the chicken of the one entered the house of the other and this is the reason why they won’t talk to each other for 15 years now. “More stupid than the chicken themselves!” I am telling her: “Grandma, those are not nice things, go make friends with another. You are relatives, those are stupid differences.” “No” the grandma answers. “I am older than him!” I am telling her: “Grandma, listen! First of all, you were the one who came here to confess. Had he been the one to come, I would have said th...

BURBANK, IL ( OCA-DMW ) – From October 25-27, six Diocesan priests participated in a pilot retreat for Clergy Formation and Development organized by Diocesan Chancellor, Archpriest Paul Jannakos. This is a new initiative of the Diocese developed as part of the strategic plan adopted by the Diocesan Council in 2020. The retreat took place at Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Monastery in Rives Junction, MI and included representatives of the Chicago, Michigan, and Cleveland Deaneries. The goal of the retreat (and those which, God willing, will follow in its wake), was to rejuvenate the clergy through participating in extended communal prayer, forging deeper relationships with their fellow priests, and reflecting thoughtfully together on the task and meaning of the priesthood. This aligns broadly with the Formation and Development goals of encouraging clergy to form mentoring relationships, to grow in their mastery of pastoral skills, and to satisfy the OCA’s requirement for contin...

My vote is the Republic of Texas.  Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!  We wanted to share with you a major announcement regarding the future of St Vladimir's Seminary, included below. The Seminary's Board of Trustees came to this decision after many, many months of prayer, deliberation, and work with multiple professional consulting groups. This will be anything but easy, as much history, many blessings, and many fond memories are tied to the Yonkers campus St Vladimir's has called home since the 1960s. But the Board feels strongly this is the right course of action in order for St Vladimir's to carry out her mission for future generations.     Please continue to keep the Seminary and all our seminarians in your prayers. Yours Faithfully in Christ, The Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield President & Professor of Pastoral Theology ( SVS ) To address the growing need for priests and other vocations in the Orthodox Church, the Board of Trustees of St Vladimir’s Orthodox T...

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center celebrated its Opening of the Doors Ceremony (Thyranoixia), presided over by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.