Byzantine, Texas

NEW YORK ( Episcopal Assembly ) – Christians from the Orthodox and Catholic Churches in the United States and Canada have engaged in dialogue for more than a half-century. Most recently, the representatives from the two faith traditions, announced the publication of new agreed statement on marriage, The Pastoral Care of Mixed Marriages: Neither Yours nor Mine – but Ours . The Theological Consultation is currently co-chaired by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, CSsR, the Archbishop of Newark, and Metropolitan Methodios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston. The document was completed in Spring 2023 at a meeting hosted by St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto, Ontario. Like most dialogue-agreed statements, this document does not speak officially for either Church. However, it has been drafted by prominent theologians and circulated to those representing both traditions for prayerful reflection and discussion. While commonalities exist between the two faith traditions, the Theological Consulta...

( Orthodox Times ) - In a recent encyclical published on February 9, 2024, the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Church of Crete has announced stringent conditions for the celebration of the sacrament of baptism. According to the encyclical, baptisms will now require prior “approval” from the Archdiocese of Crete or the relevant Metropolis. The encyclical outlines specific requirements for parents seeking baptism for their children. They must provide “required” supporting documents, including a “solemn declaration” affirming that the contractor performing the baptism is an Orthodox Christian. Additionally, if one or both parents are married, they must have undergone a religious marriage ceremony. The encyclical stipulates that the solemn declaration must be certified for the authenticity of the signature. Notably, the encyclical expressly prohibits the baptism of children born to parents who have only undergone a civil marriage ceremony, without a religious one. These new measures reflect th...

( OCA ) - The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has accepted His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel’s request for a medical leave of absence from his archpastoral duties as he deals with serious health complications. His Eminence went into heart surgery at 11:30 AM on February 15, 2024 and will need a long period of rest to recover and recuperate. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon has appointed His Grace Bishop Andrei as the administrator of the Romanian Episcopate, effective February 15, 2024, for the duration of His Eminence’s recovery. Please pray for the health and swift recovery of Archbishop Nathaniel. Cards and other correspondence can be sent to the Chancery of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America: PO Box 309 Grass Lake, MI 49240-0309

( Word from Guatemala ) - The Orthodox Church in Guatemala began a new era in its short history with the blessing of its newly completed Seminary/Mission Center in Huehuetenango, that will serve the spiritual, educational and administrative needs of the faithful.  The project, which began some two years ago under the direction of Archimandrite Evangelos Patá, counted on the support of the Orthodox Mission Center, many generous donors and hundreds of volunteers from the church’s many villages throughout Guatemala. The moment was made all the more poignant with the announcement of the retirement of their beloved archpastor – His Eminence Archbishop Athenagoras, who tearfully bade farewell to the faithful. With great nostalgia, he also invoked the memory of Father Andres Giron, a fierce advocate for the rights of the indigenous people and charismatic spiritual leader to his beloved flock, shepherding it into the embrace of the Orthodox Church.  The more than 3000 in attendance , ...

We keep seeing these defrocks and "re-frockings" in contested locales often in recent years (Asia, Western Europe, the US). It's confusing to the people, looks silly to the outside world, and is often more petty than proper. ( Orthochristian ) The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria ruled on Friday, February 16, to defrock the Russian Orthodox Church’s second African Exarch. After an extensive discussion on “the issue of the Russian Church’s encroachment on the spiritual and pastoral jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Alexandria on the African continent,” the Holy Synod resolved to defrock His Grace Bishop Konstantin of Zaraisk, according to the Synodal report published by Romfea. The report states that Bp. Konstantin, who was appointed acting Patriarchal Exarch of Africa by the Russian Holy Synod on October 11, had settled for some time in Cairo, on the territory of the Archdiocese of Alexandria, where he committed a series of canonical offenses, including “enc...

 

It's hard to imagine a more supportive jurisdiction for homeschooling than the Antiochian archdiocese. They are often the best place to go for resources, conferences, and the like. I'd recommend that parents who aren't sure if they want to homeschool to engage in this resource and consider going to the next Homeschooling Conference at the Antiochian Village in PA. ( antiochian.org ) - Help us help you! Survey for homeschooling families Despite homeschooling's meteoric rise in the past few years, many myths about homeschooling persist in mainstream thought. In some ways, perhaps the myths have only grown, as many families were introduced to a very particular, narrow version of schooling at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. In reality, homeschooling is a varied and multi-faceted little universe!  Whether you are interested--but hesitant--about homeschooling, have family members or friends exploring homeschooling, or think homeschooling is just plain crazy, we hope this i...

( HTS ) - In that 2023 was the 75th anniversary year of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY, the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR, in a meeting of the Synod during September, 2023, discussed encouraging ROCOR clergy who do not have and formal theological formation/training to look to pursue this. The following is an excerpt from the ROCOR Synod meeting on September 6, 2023: “During the meeting of the Synod of Bishops which occurred on August 24/September 6, 2023, the bishops heard the request of Protodeacon Andrei Psarev to remind the clergy (of ROCOR) who do not have formal theological formation how they may receive such training. The decision was made to remind the clergy who do not have theological formation, and wish to receive it, to inform them how (and where) to apply to study online, including at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary or the Pastoral of School of Chicago and Mid-America. Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of ROCOR Archbishop Kyrill, Secretary of the Synod of ...