Byzantine, Texas

( OCA ) - The formal opening of the 16th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America is taking place on Monday evening, October 31, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel here. In preparation for over two years, the All-American Council is composed of the Church’s hierarchs, clergy and lay delegates from parishes, seminaries, and monastic communities, and observers. It is the highest legislative body of the Orthodox Church in America. In partnership with Ancient Faith Radio [AFR], plenary sessions will be podcast here according to the following schedule. The site can be accessed on the OCA web site. Monday evening, October 31 — Plenary Session I Tuesday, November 1 — Plenary Sessions II and III regarding Parish Development Wednesday, November 2 — Plenary Sessions IV and V regarding Parish Development Thursday, November 3 — Plenary Sessions VI and VII According to AFR’s John Maddex, podcasts will be available approximately one hour after each session ends.

( SVOTS ) - Successful non-profit institutions depend upon a profit-making sector in their budgets: consider the Girl Scouts of the USA’s mouth-watering cookies, or The Salvation Army’s bell-ringing Santas, or Goodwill Industries International, Inc.’s local thrift stores. For St. Vladimir’s Seminary, that sector is St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, often known simply as “SVS Press.” Revenues from SVS Press, the seminary’s publishing arm, and SVS Bookstore, the seminary’s distribution arm, together provided net profits that comprised 12% of the seminary’s operating budget in fiscal year 2011. Without contributions from SVS Press and SVS Bookstore, the Seminary would simply not be able to maintain a day-to-day positive cash flow. Therefore, during the past year, in order to maintain a competitive edge in the publishing industry and book market, SVS Press has moved into the Digital Age by publishing E-Books (electronic books). During this past year, generous donors funded these import...

( RISU ) - On 27 October, in a session hall within the Golden Dome Monastery of St. Michael, the first joint session of the committees set up by the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP) and the Hierarchical Council of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) to conduct the dialogue on unification was held. On behalf of the Kyivan Patriarchate, the session was attended by the head of the committee, Metropolitan Dymytrii of Lviv and Sokal, Bishop Epifanii of Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi and Boryspil, Bishop Yevstratii of Bohuslav. UAOC was represented by the head of the committee, Metropolitan Andrii of Halych, Metropolitan Makarii of Lviv, Bishop Volodymyr of Zhytomyr and Polissia, Bishop Ioan of Lviv and Sambir, Bishop Volodymyr of Vyshhorod and Podillia. According to a report of the press-service of the Kyivan Patriarchate, at the first session, the participants exchanged ideas on a wide range of questions on the history and present state of th...

( ROCOR-Chicago ) - We the clergy of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America, gathered together for our annual Fall Pastoral Retreat, with His Grace Bishop Peter, to discuss matters of mutual concern and to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is the patronal feast of our Diocesan Cathedral. We welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield, as well as His Grace Bishop Matthias of Chicago (OCA), who joined us for the liturgical celebration of the feast. During our meeting we read Bishop Matthias’ pastoral letter to his flock on the issue of homosexuality and gay marriage. We wish to thank His Grace for his firm and compassionate stand on the issue, and we decided to establish a working group to formulate a clear and detailed explication of the teaching of the Church on these and other related issues in preparation for our...

( ROCOR ) - On Tuesday, October 25, 2011, in accordance with a decision by the Diocesan Council of Western America, clergymen of the diocese performed the rite of revestment of the uncorrupt relics of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco. This special rite was headed by His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America along with His Grace Vicar Bishop Theodosius of Seattle in San Francisco’s Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” Having made confession in advance and asking forgiveness of each other, the archpastors and priests performed a moleben to St John at 9 pm, after which they proceeded to perform the rite of changing the vestments. Every priest of the Western American Diocese was able to participate in this rite. The attending protodeacons then intoned the corresponding prayers after the revestment of the holy man’s relics. Details of this event will be forthcoming, along with a report on the Pastoral Conference of the Western Americ...

( CNEWA ) - On Tuesday, CNEWA welcomed a man who made history earlier this year: Major Archbishop George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly, head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, which is based in the southern Indian state of Kerala. A native of Kerala, Archbishop George holds a unique place in the Catholic Church. He’s the first head of the Syro-Malabar Church to be elected by its synod of bishops — the result of a move by the Holy See in 2004 that granted full administrative powers to the church, including the power to elect bishops. Upon his election to lead the 3.8 million-strong church on 24 May, Pope Benedict XVI confirmed his election and extended communion the following day. Major Archbishop is a neologism for patriarch, often used in places where the term would be controversial. As for the nod of the head by Rome, this practice is also seen in other sui iuris Catholic churches and in the Orthodox world (e.g. the short list for Pittsburgh sent to Constantinople a few da...

I found this story rather amusing. Sort of a Red Dawn but with crosiers instead of Kalashnikovs. Moscow, October 26 ( Interfax ) - The Jerusalem Church is cautious about the Moscow Patriarchate, the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission official says. "Unfortunately, the Jerusalem Patriarchate is watchful about the Russian Church as our Church is very big and active," head of the Mission in Jerusalem Archimandrite Isidor (Minayev) said in his interview with Bogoslov.ru website. According to him, when for example "a microscopic part of our Church - say, five our regional bishops, 30-50 priests, ten deacons and a full church of pilgrims come to a service to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre then Greek clerics from the Holy Sepulchre Fraternity don't understand what is going on: is that the whole Russian Church coming here?" "We explain to them: it's only a small part of the Church, only people from a small province. And their whole Patriarchate has t...

( Youtube ) - On Sunday morning, October 23, 2011, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the concelebration of the Divine Liturgy together with Patriarch Irinej of Serbia at the Patriarchal Church of St. George. In attendance were Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, the Hon. Nikolaos Mathioudakis, Consul General of Greece in Istanbul, Hierarchs of the Throne, and many diplomats.

( Atlas Obscura ) - Without a Bedouin guide, the Sinai is a vast, unnavigable expanse of desert. Rocky hills rise and fall underneath the blinding sun. And yet for thousands of years, this desolate peninsula was traversed and played host to many of the most important religious events in history. Many of these seminal events are neatly encapsulated within the walls of St. Catherine's Monastery. Situated below Mount Sinai, St. Catherine's Monastery was originally built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century. It is considered the oldest monastery in the world, although this claim is disputed. Much of the landscape around St. Catherine's is similarly disputed, along with the claim that the peak above the monastery is actually the biblical Mount Sinai. Within the gates of the monastery, the unknown only grows. When Justinian declared a monastery be built on the land, a chapel dedicated to the burning bush was already in place. Once again, disputed cl...

( SCOOCH ) - College-aged youth from the Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Syrian and Malankara Syrian Orthodox Churches will gather on November 26 for an all-day conference of fellowship and discussion. The conference will take place at St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, 433 Riva Avenue, East Brunswick, NJ. The day will focus on the words of St. Paul to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one spirit, just as your were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in all.” [Ephesians 4:4-6]. The Oriental Orthodox Churches are a family of five ancient, eastern churches that are fully united in their Christian faith and doctrine. “While autonomous churches with their own rich histories and Christian cultures, the Oriental Orthodox Churches are in full sacramental communion,” said V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary (New York) and Secretary of the Standing Conferen...

A slight delay in posting this week as seminarians travelled to the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA. It was a wonderful visit and the mothers and sisters there are a true treasure. Mother Paula explains the grounds and guest accommodations.

Moscow, October 24, ( Interfax ) - Pastoral service was opened at Venice Marco Polo Airport. It was launched thanks to cooperation between the local Parish of Holy Myrrh-Bearers headed by its rector Father Alexy Yastrebov and airport authorities together with its Catholic chaplain. Now the whole year through every Friday and Saturday passengers flying to Moscow can receive a blessing of an Orthodox priest, attend a prayer service, ask their questions and confess, the Moscow Patriarchate reports at its website. The task of the established chaplain service is to give pastoral care not only to Orthodox passengers, but also to crew members of Russian and other airlines and staff of terrestrial services.

( OCA ) - On Friday, September 21, 2011, Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, announced that Archpriest John A. Jillions has accepted the position of Chancellor. Selected from a slate of several applicants, Father John was confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops upon the recommendation of the Metropolitan Council at their fall sessions. A life-long member of the Orthodox Church in America, Father John was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1955. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from McGill University. In 1980, he received the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY, from which he also received the Doctor of Ministry degree in 2005. His doctoral thesis, “The Language of Enemies,” traces the ways Orthodox Christians perceive and treat their “enemies” and uses some of the insights of contemporary conflict studies. In 2002, he was awarded the Ph.D. in New Testament from Aristotle University of The...

To Thee, the champion leader, do we Thy servants dedicate a hymn of victory and thanksgiving, as ones who have been delivered from eternal death by the Grace of Christ our God Who was born of Thee and by Thy maternal mediation before Him. As Thou dost have invincible might, free us from all misfortunes and sorrowful circumstances who cry aloud: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of Grace, Joy of all who sorrow!

( mospat.ru ) - The Sash of our Most Holy Lady was brought to Russia from the Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos on October 20, 2011. The shrine has been brought by the St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. It is for the first time that the shrine, which is kept in the Monastery of Vatopedi, has left Greece. As Archimandrite Ephrem, the abbot of the monastery, told earlier to journalists, the reliquary with the Sash is normally brought to a particular Greek city once a year at a request of the faithful. According to Father Ephrem as cited by ‘Interfax-Religion’, requests to bring the Sash had come from other countries including the USA and Romania, but the monastery denied them. It made an exception for Russia, in which the Precious Sash will stay from October 20 to November 23, 2011. The Russian Government’s website reports that the shrine was met at the Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg by Prime M...

While many of these are quite laudable guidelines, some of them are going to raise eyebrows. ( OCA ) - On October 6, 2011, during their Fall 2011 Session, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America adopted and approved “ Guidelines for Clergy Use of Online Social Networking .” Available in PDF format, the Guidelines recognize “the popularity of social networking and digital communications” and their exponential growth. Acknowledging that “the Church should not shy away from these new forms of media, but should be actively present in them,” the hierarchs emphasize the importance of maintaining “healthy boundaries to digital, online, and social media communications and relationships.” In addition to general guidelines and considerations, the document offers specific guidelines for clergy with regard to use of social networking with youth, the posting of pictures and videos, and related issues.

( New Gracanica ) - On Friday, October 14th, the Slava of the New Gracanica Monastery was celebrated in a most festive way. Bishop Longin officiated the Divine Liturgy and along him served sixteen priests and seven deacons. The church was almost filled to capacity. After the Liturgy, the procession followed around the church with the Gospel readings. Later in the day, everyone gathered for the reception at the monastery hall, which was also almost completely full.

H/T: To the Ends of the Earth Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

( AOC-LA ) - On October 16 th His Grace, Bishop Joseph met with Maronite Patriarch, His Beatitude, Bechara Rai.

( AOC-MX ) To mark the beginning of the liturgical and pastoral work in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul and in the context of the recent celebrations of consecration of the new auxiliary bishop, His Excellency Monsignor Ignacio (Samaan), His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, Archbishop of our Archdiocese presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday 16 October at the new Cathedral. He was accompanied by His Grace, Bishop Alejo Pacheco of the Orthodox Church in America, and His Excellency Ignacio, along with priests and deacons of Mexico City. It was also attended by several important public figures and of course with the participation of a large number of parishioners.

When the discussion of the "Chambésy process" first began, there were two quite high hurdles to clear: legal identity and sorting out the financials. The committees are silently plugging along it seems and I expect to see more small announcements by individual committees as the months pass. I'm still working on getting backing for my weekend dedicated to monasticism (see here ) and hope it will get some traction within the committee reviewing it. Wichita, KS ( AOB ) - The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America has created a legal entity with the filing of its Articles of Incorporation in Washington, D.C. This action follows the second annual meeting of the Assembly of Bishops held May 25-27 in Chicago, Illinois. For details of that meeting, see this article . The Assembly has been hailed as a major development for the canonical administrative unity of all Orthodox Christian jurisdictions, which together represent over three million church...

( spc.rs ) - The members of the 2nd Episcopal Assembly of all canonical Orthodox Bishops of Oceania welcomed once again the opportunity to meet in Sydney from October 16-17, 2011, under the chairmanship ex officio of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia. The Assembly commenced with prayer at the central offices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Redfern. Present were: His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos (Ecumenical Patriarchate – Australia), His Eminence Metropolitan Paul (Antiochian Patriarchate),His Grace Bishop Irinej (Serbian Church), His Grace Bishop Mihail (Romanian Church), His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilochios (Ecumenical Patriarchate – New Zealand), His Grace Bishop Ezekiel (Assistant Bishop), His Grace Bishop Seraphim (Assistant Bishop), His Grace Bishop Nikandros (Assistant Bishop), His Grace Bishop Iakovos (Assistant Bishop), the Very Rev.Father Michael Protopopov (representing His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church, ...

( Syrian Orthodox Church ) - The United States Oriental Orthodox Roman Catholic Consultation held its 2011 meeting at the Divine Compassion Spirituality Center in White Plains, New York, on October 6 and 7. The meeting, co-chaired by His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and Catholic Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, New York, focused primarily on pastoral issues facing both churches.

Fr. Thomas Hopko speaks before a packed house. ( AFR ) - Orthodox Christian Synergy is a pan-Orthodox organization consisting of clergy and lay representatives of Chicago-area Orthodox Christian parishes who seek to project awareness of Orthodox Christianity to the public at large. Synergy works together with its parent organization, the Orthodox Christian Clergy Association of Greater Chicago, and with the blessings of the Chicago-area Orthodox Hierarchs. The topic of Synergy’s 2011 Symposium was “Orthodox Christianity and Homosexuality,” and featured was Fr. Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary and the author of Christian Faith and Same-Sex Attraction: Eastern Orthodox Reflections. The gathering took place at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Cicero, Illinois, on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Part One Theological Vision: Orthodox Christian Faith and Human Sexuality Part Two Spiritual Practice: Orthodox Christian Faith and Homosexual ...

Remarks Given at the XII All-Diaspora Youth Conference in Paris, 5th July 2011 ( ROCOR ) - Your Eminence, Your Grace, Reverend Fathers, Beloved Brothers and Sisters: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: Amen. It is a joy for me to be giving what amounts to the first ‘formal’ lecture of this blessed conference, in which our whole aim is to explore mission and missionary work, especially in practical terms which you as the youth of our Church—spread out as she is to every corner of the world—might take up and live out when you return home. Given the timing of this talk here at the beginning of your reflections, I thought it best to take advantage of its position and to ask a few fundamental questions. I do this not only because it is good, as a general practice, to ask what we do and why we do it, before we engage in any activity that we hope will bear fruit; but also because the theme of missionary work, broadly speaking, is one that is very often marred ...

People really enjoy these online courses offered by the Carpatho-Russian Diocese. I encourage you to give this a try. JOHNSTOWN, PA ( ACROD ) - The Diocesan Apostolate For Christian Education is pleased to announce that a weekly on-line Scripture Study Class on the Gospel of St. Matthew will begin on Saturday November 5, 2011. The class, led by Very Rev. Protopresbyter Kenneth Bachofsky, D. Min, Professor of Sacred Scripture at Christ the Saviour Seminary, will be broadcast live every Saturday from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Warren, Ohio. The class will begin at 4:45 pm and will last approximately 60 minutes. The class will conclude for the year on May 19, 2012. The Gospel of St. Matthew will be read and discussed within the context of the patristic mindset of the Church. Emphasis will be placed on both the Gospel's historical context and application to contemporary life. There is no charge for participating, however, those who wish to participate must registe...

H/T: St. Paul Orthodox Church in Emmaus, PA The following article is from St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church in York, PA, which was commended to all the parents, teachers and youth workers in our diocese by His Grace, Bishop THOMAS. It is a penetrating and direct set of questions regarding parenting and the spiritual life. The Beginning of the New Church Year: Some Questions for Parents Christian Parents need to be concerned about their children’s spiritual and moral lives, and their relationship to the Church. Below are ten reflection questions. Take time to read each question and answer it honestly. Since September is not only the beginning of Sunday Church School, but also the ‘New Year” of the Church, perhaps some of these could be “New Year’s Resolutions” for your family if you discover a need for some growth. 1) Are you as conscientious about bringing your son or daughter to Church and Sunday Church School as you are in taking them to public school activities or spo...

Obikhod only? I'm not sure, but the instruction looks to be more diverse than that. ( OCA ) - High School and college students are invited to participate in a liturgical music workshop and retreat at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary here December 18-21, 2011. Instructors for the three days of music, worship and fellowship will include Prof. David Drillock and Nicholas Reeves. In addition to liturgical services, presentations, and discussions, the program will include Christmas caroling and ice skating at New York City’s Rockefeller Center. For additional information, please contact Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak at jmatusiak@svots.edu or 914-318-7505. Updates will be posted on the seminary web site www.svots.edu .

Archbishop Demetrios of America, NY Governor Cuomo, and Christopher Ward, Executive Director of the Port Authority of NY and NJ sign the agreement to kick-start the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. NEW YORK ( GOARCH ) – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces today an agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey regarding the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo invited Archbishop Demetrios and the Hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, together with leadership of the St. Nicholas Parish and the Archdiocesan Council to his New York City office for the official signing of the agreement by Archdiocesan Council Vice-Chairman Michael Jaharis and Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward. Archbishop Demetrios and Governor Cuomo signed as the formal witnesses to the agreement. Arch...

( Crain's New York ) - The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey said Friday that a Greek Orthodox Church destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001 can rebuild directly across Liberty Street from the World Trade Center, ending a two-year impasse after Gov. Andrew Cuomo intervened. The Port Authority had originally rejected a deal to allow the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to rebuild its St. Nicholas Church on the site of the former Deutsche Bank building, saying the church had dragged its feet, asked for too much and threatened to delay World Trade Center construction. The Port Authority said the church was offered, but never accepted, a deal worth $20 million, plus $40 million in subsurface infrastructure improvements, to move it to 130 Liberty St. The church, however, contended that the Port Authority had abruptly walked away from negotiations, first undertaken with the blessing of former Gov. George Pataki, just as they were wrapping up. The Port Authority said the church...

The blog Orthocath has a review of the UGCC's new catechism. A lot has been discussed online about what it has to say about infallibility and ecclesiology. There was a lot of hope that this catechism would finally show the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to be an "Orthodox Church in communion with Rome" (aka the "bridge between East and West"), but many of the selections I have seen show this document to represent a decided fidelity to Rome's preeminence where many had hoped for an affirmation of the primacy of synodality. Ukrainian Greek Catholic Patriarch Shevchuk In June of this year, after ten years of preparation, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) –an Eastern Catholic Church in union with the Pope of Rome– released its first official Catechism. Entitled Christ our Pascha, it received the unanimous support of all the Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and also was reviewed by the Eastern Congregation in Rome before publication. A d...

Update: "The Holy Synod of the the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America named Bishop of Troas Savvas the new Metropolitan Bishop of Pittsburgh. Bishop Savvas received 7 votes, while Archimandrite Sevastianos Skordallos received 4, and Archimandrite Constantine Moralis 2. The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate will approve the election of the new Pittsburgh Metropolitan Bishop within the following days so that he will be able to perform his duties. Overall 8 Metropolitan Bishops took part in the voting of the Holy Synod." - ( Greek Reporter ) For some background on this selection: "Archbishop Demetrios is expected to support the candidacy of his spiritual son Bishop Savas of Troas, his former Chancellor who now is the Director of the Department Church and Society of the Archdiocese. Although his previous attempts to have Bishop Savas elected to a Metropolis were rebuffed by the members of the Eparchial Synod, the Archbishop may feel renewed optimism, as both M...

( ARCHONS ) - An anonymous United Methodist donor is offering $75,000 seed money toward the creation of an Orthodox Institute at Duke Divinity School. The offer comes in response to a proposal by the Duke Orthodox Christian Student Association (DOCSA) that a Duke-Halki institutional partnership may accelerate the reopening of the Halki School of Theology (see www.dukehalki.com ). The announcement was made at a recent Duke-UNC hosted Halki symposium that featured a screening of the Hellenic History Foundation’s “Silent School” documentary. Following the documentary screening, the symposium concluded with remarks by Duke Divinity Professor, J. Warren Smith, PhD, Duke University’s Turkish Muslim Chaplain, Abdullah Antepli, DMin, and Orthodox Christian Fellowship’s John Stonestreet, MDiv, PhD(c). A video of the symposium and donation announcement will be available online for a limited time at http://video.dukehalki.com . For additional information, please contact: Duke Orthodox ...

( MSNBC ) - Egyptian Copts carry the coffins of victims of deadly clashes, during a funeral at Abassaiya on the road to Cathedral in Cairo on Oct. 11, a day after 24 people, mostly Christians, died in clashes with Egyptian security forces.

( ROCOR-EAD ) - On Sunday, October 2, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Holy Cross Monastery on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the monastery’s founding. His Eminence was co-served by the abbot of the monastery, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, monastery clerics, and a multitude of clergy from across America. Eight Orthodox jurisdictions in all were represented at the feast.

( UGCC ) - “I am very glad that meetings are held between the Apostolic See and the Moscow Patriarchate,” said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Patriarch Sviatoslav, during a press conference at UNIAN as he commented on the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev). The head of the UGCC stressed that such meetings are very useful: “We will do everything we can not to hinder such meetings, but to promote them by all means,” stated Patriarch Sviatoslav. Talking about the importance of dialogue, the head of UGCC mentioned his official meeting with the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan), held on August 23, 2011, in the Kyiv Cave Monastery. “The meeting was very beneficial for all of us,” said the hierarch. It is important that Metropolitan Ilarion also expressed readiness to meet with Archbishop of Kyiv and Halych. This was mentioned in his interview about a possible meeting between the Roman Pope and the...

The Onion Dome 2.0 ( The Onion Dome 2.0 ) - This is just like the old Onion Dome, only new! If you have links on your blog to IsOutrage!, and want to point to the Orthodox content, re-point them here. We will be attaching the URL theoniondome.com to this blog as soon as we figure out how. At the moment there is officially only your intrepid blogger running this thing, but we’re hoping to add more people to the mix soon. If you think you want to write for us, put a comment on this post with your email address — break it up so crawlers can’t recognize it as an email address and send you spam. You’d hate that.

For some background you can read a previous post (see here ) or search for "Chrysovalantou Monastery" in the search field on the sidebar. BOSTON, MA (TNH via  pokrov.org ) – Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia – the former abbot and deputy abbot, respectively, of the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Monastery in Astoria – will be sent into retirement to monasteries in Kalymnos and Patmos by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The decision was reached during recent Patriarchate’s Holy Synod meetings, over which His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided. TNH has learned that the penance of liturgical suspension, which was placed on both hierarchs in December 2010, will remain in effect. Essentially, they will not be allowed to perform liturgies or to celebrate any other services or sacraments. The issue first came to light last October, when Paisios submitted a letter of resignation as the Monastery’s abbot, citing health reasons. TNH reveale...

A Dinner Trip to Historic Holy Trinity Temple, Wilkeson Take a tour back in time, to the old coal mining village of Wilkeson Washington, in the verdant foothills that stretch below the lofty peaks of Mount Rainier, where Holy Trinity Church was founded by immigrant coal miners and lumberjacks in the summer of 1896. Holy Trinity Temple, constructed in 1900, is the oldest in the Diocese of the West, and one of the oldest temples in the lower 48 States. It was consecrated on September 22, 1902 by St. Tikhon, who at the time still maintained his headquarters in San Francisco. Holy Trinity is on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places and is maintained in pristine condition. This little gem of a building mixes Slavic Orthodox architecture with the local Victorian era style found throughout the historic village. The scenic drive from Bellevue to Wilkeson takes about an hour, and if it is a clear day and the “mountain is out” you will be thrilled at its glacial beauty ...

( Orthodox China ) - Archimandrite Feofan (Kim) will be the first Korean bishop of the ROC. On October 6, 2011 the Synod elected him to the See of Tyva. Hegumen Feofan (in the world - Kim, Alexey Illarionovich) was born January 19, 1976 in Yuzhno[South]-Sakhalinsk. In 1993 he graduated from Vostochny[Eastern] Lyceum in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. In 1997 he graduated from the South Sakhalin branch of the Moscow Commercial University. In 2000 he graduated from the Smolensk Seminary and in 2010 - the Moscow Theological Academy of the ROC/MP. From 1995, he served in the choir in the church of St. Innocent of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, then - at the Resurrection Cathedral in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. On August 14, 1997 Bishop Ionafan of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and the Kuril he was tonsured a monk, named in honor of St. Feofan [Theophanes] the Confessor, Bishop of Nicea. On August 17, 1997 Bishop Ionafan ordained him a hierodeacon and on 19 August 1997 - a priest. From 1997 to 1998 he was a cleric of Resurre...

( Oremus ) - From Tuesday, Oct. 4, to Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, the Canonical Western Rites Conference was held in Wappinger Falls, New York, with a number of monastics, clergy, and clergy families in attendance from both the ROCOR Western Rite Vicariate (RWRV) and the Antiochian Western Rite Vicariate (AWRV). More conference information available here .

CAIRO, EGYPT ( Catholic Online ) - Hundreds of Egyptian Christians marched in protest over a recent attack on a church. Their march began as a peaceful demonstration following the destruction of the Christian church upon orders of a regional governor on October 1. As the protesters were marching, witnesses say a group of plainclothes counter-protesters assaulted them. Witnesses say pellets were fired at the Christians. It's believed that some of the people may have snatched weapons from soldiers, and turned them on the military. Rocks and bottles were thrown indiscriminately at the protesters. The resulting violence led to the deaths of 24 people, according to an Egyptian health Ministry official. The military deployed more than 1,000 troops and several armored vehicles along the Nile river where the fighting began. Because protests continued late into the night, the military imposed a curfew until 7 AM local time, in the city of Cairo. Several military vehicles were set...

Many thanks to a kind reader for pointing this video out to me.

This weekend the Hawaiian myrrh-streaming Iveron icon visited our parish. It was quite a special and moving occasion that lasted some four hours starting with a Moleben to the the Theotokos and concluding with Vespers. It took hours for the faithful to queue through while being anointed and receiving commemorative cards for the visitation. I was unprepared for the raw emotion of the moment. Many, many people wiped away tears. Some sang with the choir. Many took photos to share with their friends and family. Some visitors took long moments before the icon. Others went up in small familial groups - small children lifted high enough for a kiss, the elderly helped from their wheelchairs or given extra support with their walkers. Some women wore makeshift head-coverings from their jackets or carried barefoot infants and toddler. A few people looked like they walked right off the street having been drawn in by the novelty of all the ringing bells, singing, and full parking spots. Still...

The Antiochian Archdiocese sent some American clergy to get their impressions on the Syria situation. From people who emailed in to me a few of the clergy were given almost no advanced notice of this trip, with at least one priest canceling services at the last minute before catching a flight to the Middle East. After reading the below and the linked letter from Fr. Patrick Reardon it is up to you to determine if the Syrian government is a cruel, totalitarian autocracy or if Syria is a stable nation ruled by composed, kind-hearted president and this whole thing is an exploitative attempt by the West to destabilize a friend to Syrian Christians. ( antiochian.org ) - His Eminence Metropolitan Philip writes: Brother Hierarchs, Beloved Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees and Faithful Laity of our God-Protected Archdiocese: Greetings to you and your families in the name of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ! As you are all aware, th...