Byzantine, Texas

BOSTON (TNH via OCL ) – Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver has resigned and the Synod of the Phanar in Constantinople, with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presiding, has elected him Metropolitan of Lystra, an honorary position. The National Herald in its publication on Friday, March 15, 2024, titled ‘Eparchial Synod Meets, Elect Two new Bishops for Archdiocese of America’ also reported on other matters addressed by the Synod and revealed, among other things, the following: “Extensive discussion took place regarding Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, who has been residing for several months now at the Monastery of the Archangels in Kendalia, TX, and not in his Metropolis while refusing to resign. The Metropolis of Denver is essentially being governed and administered by Auxiliary Bishop Constantine of Sasima.” TNH also reported that “it was decided at the Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of America that Archbishop Elpidophoros would visit him [Met. Isaiah] at the Monastery in Texas, conduct ...

( EP-AU ) - It is with profound praise and gratitude to the Triune God, that the Holy Archdiocese of Australia cements its ecclesiological existence, relevance, and maturity, through the acquisition of its very own Eparchial Synod. Through God’s Grace, the Holy Archdiocese of Australia will have its own Synod of Bishops , glory be to God for all things! In response to our vast nation with its prominent regional areas, our synod will consist of an Archbishop together with his suffragan bishops. Such a precious gift from God, as ratified in principle in the rules of the Holy Archdiocese’s new Constitution, is a cause of celebration for all the faithful living in the Antipodes. The pioneering work towards this sacred task came through the vision and steadfastness of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, whose illuminating wisdom, selfless stewardship, and pastoral solicitude, materialised into a Constitution that elevates the Holy Archdiocese of Australia into an ecclesiastical ...

Scheduled for Apr 2, 2024 - Ancient Faith Today - Two Natures: Examining Chalcedon and Communion Most of us know about the Great Schism, which tragically divided the Christian Church between East and West in 1054. But there was another earlier division in the 5th century following the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon in 451, which clarified how Jesus is both God and man. What specifically separates us theologically? What efforts have been made to better understand each other in recent decades? On the next special edition of Ancient Faith Today, Fr. Tom Soroka and John Maddex will take a deep dive into the causes of our division and what any path to unity might involve. The conversation will not downplay any theological concerns but rather shed a light on those concerns giving us a better grasp on what is at stake. Scholars participating include: Dr. Sam Noble, Dr. David Ford, Fr. Joseph Lucas, Dr. Emmanuel Gergis, Christine Chaillon, Fr. Timothy Thomas, Fr. Chad Hatfield, and Dr....

Nothing about this makes me think this topic is over. I expect the legal wrangling to continue.  ( antiochian.org ) - The Holy Antiochian Synod, presided by His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X (Yazigi), held its eighteenth extraordinary session in Balamand from March 13 to March 14, 2024, in the presence of Their Eminences: Elias (Archdiocese of Beirut and dependencies); Elias (Archdiocese of Tyre, Sidon and dependencies); Saba (Archdiocese of New York and All North America); Silouan (Archdiocese of Byblos, Botrys and dependencies); Basilios (Archdiocese of Akkar and dependencies); Ephrem (Archdiocese of Tripoli, Koura and dependencies); Ignatius (Archdiocese of France, Western and Southern Europe); Isaac (Archdiocese of Germany and Central Europe); Ghattas (Archdiocese of Baghdad, Kuwait and dependencies); Antonios (Archdiocese of Zahleh, Baalbek and dependencies); Nicolas (Archdiocese of Hama and dependencies); Basilios (Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines); Atha...

Autocephaly is messy business. Gaining it is often a raucous game of King of the Hill, with as much loud outrage and overblown cries of triumph as the children's recess favorite occasions. A patriarchate is usually made contrary to the canons and only gains legitimacy much later. This is also not a growth pain relegated to the history books. The OCU is a glaring example of how badly such a process can go and is only four years old. But you don't have to go across the ocean to see this conflict-laden process in action. See how authority and recognition differ from the Ecumenical Patriarchate's assumed authority through the view of most of the earth being their "diaspora." Look at how the Orthodox Church in America announced autocephaly some fifty-odd years ago to continued mixed reception. See how yet another body of Russian origin (ROCOR) coexists - however imperfectly - in the same territory of not only the OCA, but also the Moscow Patriarchate parishes here.  S...

( Orthodox Times ) - The Church of Bulgaria should elect a new Patriarch within four months after the death of Patriarch Neophyte. The election of his successor will take place according to a specific procedure. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has 13 dioceses in Bulgaria and two abroad. The Church Statute regulates the election of the Patriarch and the conditions for his election. Specifically, the Patriarch of Bulgaria and the Metropolitan of Sofia must not be younger than 50 years of age, must have served as a Metropolitan for at least five years, and must be distinguished by Orthodox faith and strict adherence to the rules of the Church. The Patriarch is elected by the Patriarchal Ecclesiastical Council, which consists of: Metropolitans and Bishops of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Five representatives from each diocese (three clergy and two lay) and ten representatives from the Metropolis of Sofia (six clergy and four lay). One representative from the Stavropegian Monasteries (Rila, B...

( Sofia Globe ) -  Neofit, Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and thus the head of its governing body the Holy Synod, has died at the age of 78, according to statements on March 13 by Metropolitan Antoniy and the Military Medical Academy, where Neofit had been admitted some months ago with a lung ailment. Metropolitan Neofit of Rousse was elected as the new Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on February 24 2013, succeeding the long-standing Patriarch, Maxim. Neofit was born in Sofia on October 15 1945 under the name Simeon Nikolov. He was ordained a monk on August 3 1975 in the Troyan Monastery. Neofit rose through the church ranks, becoming Metropolitan of Rousse in 2001. By the canonical law of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the death of the Patriarch means that the Holy Synod is temporarily headed by the most senior Metropolitan, pending the election of a new Patriarch. The election of a new Patriarch takes place no later than four months after the death of the ...

( Holy Cross Bookstore ) - Unto the Healing of Soul and Body: Encouragement for Restoration and Reconciliation in a Broken World : The Sacrament of Holy Unction, celebrated on Holy Wednesday and at other times throughout the year, lasts about ninety minutes. Yet, that time is packed with such spiritual richness that it deserves to be reflected upon more deeply. This book contains forty-six reflections on the hymns, Scripture readings, and prayers of the service. The human body is comprised of mind, body, and spirit, all of which are interrelated. When one part of the body suffers, so do the other parts. For every physical wound, there is also a spiritual consequence. This book not only reflects on God’s ability to heal our physical in infirmities but especially how our souls can be healed along with our bodies. In the times when our bodies are beyond physical healing—at some point, we will all suffer a physical death—Holy Unction serves as a reconciliation with God and a preparation f...

( SVOTS ) - Prolific author and scholar Christine Chaillot visited St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) on Thursday, February 22, giving a stirring presentation to the student body in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium, titled “The Dialogue Between the Eastern Orthodox and the Oriental Orthodox.” The Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield gave the introduction, noting Chaillot’s abiding commitment to studying and writing about reconciliation between the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches and applauding her for “going right to the top” in bringing the issue to the leading hierarchs of our day. Fr Chad endorsed Chaillot’s many contributions to the study of this millennia-old division and mentioned plans for a conference to be held at St Vladimir’s Seminary in 2025, intended to further the dialogue between Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches. Christine Chaillot opened her presentation by summarizing the current relations between the various Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churche...

( OCA ) - His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon will be presiding at the Rite of Consecration of Preparation of Holy Chrism during the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Great and Holy Thursday, May 2, 2024 at St. Tikhon’s Monastery. This rite is reserved for Primates of autocephalous Orthodox Churches. The last time Holy Chrism was consecrated for the Orthodox Church in America was in 2017 and marks the second time His Beatitude has presided at the rite. After the Chrism has been consecrated it will be distributed for parish use across North America for the Holy Mystery of Chrismation. Holy Chrism is distinct from other blessed oils in Orthodox Christian rites and undergoes careful preparation, incorporating various ingredients such as olive oil, aromatic incenses, and fragrant oils. The process, overseen this year by Protodeacon Peter Ilchuk, will begin on Great and Holy Monday, April 29, and will conclude on Great and Holy Wednesday, May 1, with continuous stirring and readings from the Holy Go...

( OCP ) - Cairo – Egypt: The plenary session of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church was held on March 07.2024, at the Logos Center at the Papal Residence in the Monastery of Saint Anba Bishoy in Wadi Natroun, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, and attended by 110 of its 133 members. His Holiness the Pope delivered a speech at the opening of the session, in which he spoke about the importance of fruit in the life and service of the shepherd through “the parable of the unfruitful fig tree” (Luke 13:6-9). The main committees of the Holy Synod held their annual meetings starting last Monday and for three days, at the papal headquarters in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Abbasiya, to discuss the reports submitted to them by their subcommittees.  It issued its recommendations, which were presented to the members of the Academy in today’s plenary session for approval. The Church announced its opinion on the issue of “homosexuality” through a statement issued by the Holy Synod (to b...

( Patriarchate of Antioch ) - The Synodal Committee formed by His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X held a meeting to discuss the developments taking place in the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. This committee consists of Metropolitans: Elias Audé (Beirut), Antonios Souri (Zahlé and Baalbek), Nicolas Baalbaki (Hama), and Athanasius Fahd (Latakia).  Its first meeting which took place in Balamand was chaired by His Beatitude and attended by the Metropolitans, members of the Committee. It examined the ecclesiastical transgressions committed by the former Metropolitan of the Archdiocese Joseph Zehlaoui.  It decided to hold several meetings for further investigation and deliberation, in order to prepare a detailed report to be submitted to the upcoming Holy Synod meeting on March 13,  2024, where the appropriate decision will be taken.