Very ecumenical visit for Pope of Rome in Jerusalem

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The pope will hold two meetings with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as well as an ecumenical meeting in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. He will also sign a joint declaration.

The pilgrimage is particularly important because it marks the 50th anniversary of the embrace of peace in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras, on 5 January 1964.

Although questions were raised about certain issues concerning the three main stops in the papal visit, namely Amman, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. However, Holy See Press Office Director Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ, said in a statement that the release of the programme shows that preparations for the trip are "continuing as planned."

When asked about labour problems in Israel, Fr Lombardi said that he hoped the Vatican authorities would soon be able to resume "formal contacts" with the authorities responsible for the papal visit.

According to the official schedule, the pope will leave Rome in the morning on 24 May. After arriving in Jordan, he will be welcomed at a ceremony at the Al-Husseini Royal Palace in Amman, where he will pay a courtesy visit to King and Queen of Jordan, followed by a meeting with Jordanian authorities and Mass at Amman International Stadium.

The pope will then visit Jesus' baptismal site at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where he will meet Syrian refugees and young people with disabilities at the Latin Church.

On Sunday 25 May, the Holy Father will travel from Jordan to Bethlehem, in the Palestinian Territories, where he will be welcomed at the Presidential Palace during a courtesy visit to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

After that, the pope will meet with local authorities, and then celebrate Mass in Manger Square.

Around midday, he will have lunch with a group of Palestinian families at the Franciscan Convent of the Casa Nova, followed by a private visit to the Grotto of the Nativity.

He will then proceed to the Phoenix Center in the Dheisheh refugee camp, where he will be greeted by children from the Dheisheh, Aida and Beit Jibrin refugee camps.

From Bethlehem, Francis will travel to Jerusalem where he will meet privately with Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem. The two will sign a joint declaration.

This will be followed by an ecumenical meeting in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre to mark the 50th anniversary of the embrace between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras. Afterwards, Francis will dine with the patriarchs and the bishops at the Latin Patriarchate.

On Monday 26 May, after a visit to visit to the grand mufti of Jerusalem in the building of the Great Council on the Esplanade of the Mosques, the Holy Father will lay flowers on Mount Herzl and visit the Yad Vashem Memorial.

He will then make a courtesy visit to Israel's two chief rabbis of Israel at the Heichal Shlomo Center, followed by a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, and a private meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem.

In the afternoon, Pope Francis will meet privately Patriarch Bartholomew at the building next to Orthodox Church of Viri Galileai on the Mount of Olives.

This will be followed by a meeting with priests, men and women religious and seminarians, and then a Holy Mass with the ordinaries of the Holy Land.

From there, the pope will leave Jerusalem for Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Avivi for his return flight to Rome Ciampino Airport late Monday evening.

Syriac Orthodox elect new head

(ABC News) - The Syriac Orthodox Church has elected a new patriarch to lead one of the world's oldest Christian sects, Lebanon's national news agency said Monday.

The announcement of the election of Cyril Aphrem Karim, a 48-year-old Syrian, was made by the Syrian Orthodox Church's Lebanese headquarters in the village of Atshaneh northeast of the capital Beirut.

Karim, who served as bishop in the United States, replaces Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas, who died March 21 in a hospital in Germany at the age of 80.

Karim's official title will be the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. His church, known as the Syrian Orthodox Church, was founded in the year 452 after a schism with the bulk of the world's Christians. There are more than 4 million members, living in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq although there are also significant communities in Germany, Sweden and in the United States, where immigrants from the Near East introduced the faith in the late 19th century.

The new patriarch was born in Qamishli, the capital of a northeastern Syrian province, wedged between the borders of Turkey and Iraq. He studied in St. Ephrem's Theological Seminary in Atchaneh, Lebanon in 1977. In the 1980s, he served the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo and pursued higher education at the Coptic Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt. He was ordained as a monk in 1985 in Egypt.

He also studied in Ireland and served in Damascus, where his church is based, before his predecessor, Iwas, appointed him bishop of the east coast of the United States in 1996. Since then, Karim has been living in Teaneck, New Jersey.

It was not clear if Karim will be based in Syria or in Lebanon as patriarch.

He is taking the church's leadership role at the time of great uncertainty for Christians in the Middle East.

Thousands have left Iraq, following the 2003 U.S-led invasion of the country that unleashed unprecedented sectarian violence.

In Syria, recent assaults on predominantly Christian towns by rebels fighting against President Bashar Assad's rule have fueled fears among the country's religious minorities about the growing role of Islamic extremists in the revolt.

Christians in Syria believe they are being targeted in part because of anti-Christian sentiment among Sunni Muslim extremists and partly as punishment for what is seen as their support for Assad. The Syrian leader himself hails from a religious minority, the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

Back from the burial of Met. Philip

Just back from Met. Philip's interment. It was very well attended and sung. Bishops, clergy, and laity from all over were in attendance. I controlled myself and didn't take photos as it looked like no fewer than three crews were doing that much better than my phone's camera could. May his memory be eternal.

Bishop Basil: on the great Fr. Alexander Atty and his family

(AFR) - Ancient Faith Radio has been provided this recording of the comments made by Bishop Basil at the funeral of the beloved priest Fr. Alexander Atty. May his memory be eternal.

Met. Jonah released to ROCOR, celebrates historic Liturgy

It should also be noted that Metropolitan Jonah has been released to ROCOR. I do not have any details on the specifics of the release yet.

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Williamsburg, VA (ROCOR-EAD) - On Sunday, March 16, at the request of the College of William & Mary’s Orthodox Christian Fellowship, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen; former Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America & Canada of the Orthodox Church in America) celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the College’s Wren Chapel in Williamsburg, VA. He was co-served by Priest John Johnson and Protodeacon Leonid Mickle (clerics of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC).

The Liturgy, held in the colonial capital of Virginia, is believed to be the first ever Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Wren Chapel in the College’s Wren Building, the oldest college building in the United States. The Wren Building is a 10-minute walk from Col. Philip Ludwell’s house along Duke of Gloucester Street, the main avenue of colonial Williamsburg. Colonel Ludwell is the first known American convert to Holy Orthodoxy.

The Liturgy was attended and supported by some seventy people, including faithful of numerous Orthodox jurisdictions from parishes in Virginia (including Williamsburg, Richmond, Culpeper, Northern Neck, and Fairfax), Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New York, with special assistance from the parish of St. John’s Cathedral in Washington and Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary in Jordanville, NY. The President of the College, W. Taylor Reveley III, took time out of his busy schedule to attend the Liturgy, at the invitation of College students and alumni.

Immediately following the Liturgy, a memorial service was held in the memory of Col. Philip Ludwell III and other members of his family who were known to be Orthodox, together with Metropolitan Laurus of blessed memory on the sixth anniversary of his repose.

After the Liturgy, a reception was held, at which, with the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York and First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Reader Nicholas Chapman delivered a presentation on his latest research into the life of Col. Ludwell and his descendants. The reception was graciously organized by Washington-area Orthodox alumni of the College of William & Mary.

Colonel Ludwell was himself a student at the College in the 1730’s, and that his father had served as rector there in 1716.

Note: In 1977, Priest George DeTrana of St. Cyprian of Carthage Church (OCA) in Richmond, VA, served Vespers in the Wren Chapel at the request of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship. Any other historical information about such services would be welcomed.

In commemoration of St. Patrick's Day

AFR to stream feed of the funeral of Metropolitan Philip

(AFR) - Ancient Faith Radio to broadcast live video feed of the funeral of Metropolitan Philip Saliba from New York. Chesterton, IN —Ancient Faith Radio, in partnership with Tele Lumiere/Noursat, is honored to present the funeral of Metropolitan Saliba as a live video broadcast. The funeral service for His Eminence will begin at 9:00 AM EST, and it will be broadcast live on both Ancient Faith Radio and the Antiochian.org website. Watch the funeral service this Saturday, March 29, by pointing your internet browser to www.ancientfaith.com.

Some very frank words from the Russian Church

March 22, 2014 (pravmir.com) - Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, who hosts the Church and World talk-show on Russia-24 TV channel, had as his guest the editor-in-chief of the Religion and Mass Media portal, journalist Alexander Shchipkov.

Metropolitan Hilarion: Good afternoon, dear brothers and sisters. You are tuned to the Church and World program. Today we will discuss Ukraine. My guest is journalist Alexander Shchipkov, editor-in-chief of the Religion and Mass Media portal. Good afternoon, Alexander.

A. Shchipkov: Good afternoon, Your Eminence. Ukraine is seething. The situation and events are developing with a catastrophic pace, a kind of motion picture speed. The situation is tense. Everybody is talking about political components alone and it is clear why. But as an Orthodox Christian and journalist I am concerned for the religious component. As is known, Ukraine is a place of heightened religiosity. There are many Protestants; the Greek Catholics are strong and, unfortunately, there is partitioned Orthodoxy. There is a major Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which predominates, and there are entities of non-canonical nature. In your view, how may the religious situation develop? What may happen in the nearest future?

Metropolitan Hilarion: First of all, I would like to say that the sad events, which happened early this year in Kiev and which caused a bloodshed and death toll, have not made Ukrainian religious confessions to stay aside. There were church and semi-church groups that took a very clear political stand on one side of the barricades. For instance, the Greek Catholics you have mentioned. In the person of the Major Archbishop Svyatoslav Shevchuk as well former Archbishop Lubomir Husar, who is retired now, they took a very clear stand from the very beginning of this civic confrontation, which was to grow, unfortunately, into an armed bloody conflict. They did not just stand up for the so-called Euro-integration but even called Western countries to interfere more actively in the situation in Ukraine. It even came to the fact that Archbishop Svyatoslav Shevchuk together with the false patriarch Philaret (Denisenko) went to the USA and batted around the State Department offices asking the USA to interfere in the Ukrainian affairs. It was one stand.

There is another one, taken by the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. It is not merely a stand of non-interference in politics; it is a stand based on the fact that the Church should give room to people of diverse political beliefs, except for openly radical and chauvinistic. Among the faithful and clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, there are a great number of those who are not proponents of Euro-integration. There are those who participated in the events in Maidan. But at the same time, among the faithful of the UOC, there is a great number of those who aligned themselves with Russia, who stand for the preservation of Holy Rus’ as a single spiritual space sealed with the same faith. The canonical Orthodox Church holds all. She does not take a particilar side of the barricade. She unites all, and if need be, stands up between the warring parties, as did the monks who came out to stand up at the risk of their lives and health to prevent bloodshed between the two warring parties.

A. Shchipkov: Were they monks of the canonical Orthodox Church?

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There's something for everyone to dislike in this article

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Moscow Patriarchate strongly condemned the Greek-Catholic (Uniate) Church in Ukraine for "meddling" in politics, in the current crisis in the country. For its part, Russia continues to accuse the Ukraine of "religious intolerance," a charge the latter sharply rejects, noting instead how all religious denominations have come together to oppose violence and express support for Europe.

For Metropolitan Hilarion, head of the Synodal Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and his predecessor, Lubomyr Husar, took a "very clear position from the beginning of the civil conflict, which grew unfortunately into an armed bloody conflict".

In his view, the Uniates not only advocated integration with Europe, "but even called for Western countries to intervene more decisively in the situation in Ukraine."

Speaking on The Church and the world, a programme on the Russia-24 TV channel, Hilarion also noted that "Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk and [. . .] Filaret (Denisenko) even went to the United States, [. . .] to the State Department and asked for US intervention in Ukrainian affairs."

Excommunicated by the Moscow Patriarchate, Filaret is the head of the breakaway Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate.

In early February, Archbishop Shevchuk spoke before the US Congress. On that occasion, he said that the Ukraine situation transcended politics and asked for US mediation to resolve the crisis.

Conversely, for Hilarion, the Greek-Catholic Church is a major obstacle in relations between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Holy See.

The Orthodox, he said, have always perceived the Uniates in a very negative light, "as a special project by the Catholic Church," because "they dress like Orthodox, follow Orthodox rituals, but are in fact Catholic," which gives them and the Vatican a certain leeway.

When he asked a Catholic official for an explanation about the show of support from the Greek-Catholic Church for the breakaway Orthodox Church, the only answer Hilarion said he got was "We do not control them."

For his part, Shevchuk, who recently met with Pope Francis, bemoans the disappearances of people in Ukraine, who were "abducted and tortured" by the Berkut, the special police in the government of ousted president Yanukovych.

Moscow and Kyiv also continue to trade barbs over religion. The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture has rejected Russian accusations of "religious intolerance" with regards to alleged threats and seizure of parishes that are under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine.

According to the ministry's Religious Affairs Department, no such actions have taken place. On the contrary, during protests at Maiden (Independence) Square, "all the churches, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," came out to defend the people and show their support for a pro-European orientation in the country's development.

Likewise, Kyiv has denied claims by the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian government that the country is in a civil war.

Instead, Russia continues to be under diplomatic pressure to avoid a wider Ukrainian crisis, following its annexation of the Crimea.

In fact, US President Barack Obama is in Brussels for a summit with EU leaders Barroso and Van Rompuy to discuss possible new sanctions.

"How Armenians Pray" talk to be held in NYC

"Will the Assyrian Church split after death of its Patriarch?"

Stockholm (AINA) - On the same day I received the news that Patriarch Zakka had passed away in a hospital in Germany (AINA 2014-03-21), I was invited to a cultural event organized by the St. Augin Association in Sweden, in support of the eponymous monastery in Turabdin, Turkey. I received a bouquet of flowers from the association's president Iskender Gabrielsson in recognition of my translation of St. Augin's biography into Swedish. I gave a short acceptance speech and also expressed my condolences on the patriarch's death, which I concluded with the following message: "Let us hope that his successor will work for the well-being of both the Church and the nation."
The Syrian Orthodox Church is split into two rival factions. One wing is anti-Assyrian and hides behind an "Aramean" identity and has gained an increasing foothold in the Church. The other faction rejects any ethnic imprint on the Church, Aramean or Assyrian. A bitter feud over the new patriarch is expected. The main actors are the bishops who are entitled to vote at the synod which will elect a new patriarch, but behind the scenes different interests are at work, such as the Ba'ath regime in Syria and the Turkish government, who is keen to move the Patriarchal See from Damascus back to the Zafaran Monastery in Mardin, Turkey.

Hostile regimes in the Middle East have always attempted to infiltrate the Assyrian churches, with varying degrees of success, since they have great power over their respective parishes. The goal is of course to alienate the Assyrians from their ethnic identity and make them identity themselves as Christian Arabs, Christian Turks or Christian Kurds. The Barzani clan in northern Iraq is the latest among the actors using this strategy, but the Kurds have no direct influence over the Syrian Orthodox Church, unlike the Baathist regime in Syria and the Turkish government.

Different bishops have probably already started plans to take over the patriarch's office and an intense power struggle behind the scenes is what we can expect. The church and its congregations are already divided into two main factions, as a result of the deceased patriarch's policy of forming new and competing archdioceses. The actors in this power struggle are using the name conflict among the Assyrian people as an instrument of their power ambitions. The "Aramean" side is claiming that bishops and parishes that do not support them are followers of the Assyrian side. The Aramean faction's clergy openly attack the Assyrian movement both in their preaching and in various anti-Assyrian media. Bishops who support an "Aramean" identity and their parishioners are happy to cooperate with various hostile forces to change everything named Assyrian to Aramean -- perhaps soon even the church's name as well. This anti-Assyrian faction equates the Assyrian word suraya1 (meaning Assyrian) with "Aramean" and displays the so-called "Aramean" flag on church premises and on its roof in many places in the world.

This may be the start of a split within the Syrian Orthodox Church. Even a hundred years ago a group in India left the Church to protest against the patriarch's actions. The Assyrian Professor Ashur Yousef criticized Patriarch's policy in strong terms in an article in 1914. Before that, the Syrian Catholic Church broke from the Syrian Orthodox Church. The most famous split occurred in the end of 14th century when city of Turabdin, Turkey formed its own patriarchate. In 1839, nearly 500 years later, they would reunite under the same patriarch.

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Syriac Orthodox Church elects patriarchal locum tenens

Beirut (OCP) - The Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church which held on 26th of March 2014 held at St. Aphrem Cathedral in Beirut elected Archbishop Mor Severios Hawathe of Baghdad & Basra as the Locum Tenens to the Patriarchal throne of Antioch and All East. The Synod sessions were presided by Catholicos Abune Baselios Thomas I of India who is also the Metropolitan Trustee of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India at .

“As per Article 29 of the Constitution of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The locum tenens means “the place holder” (in Arabic Qa`im Maqām, in colloquial Qaymaqām). The election of the locum tenens has to take place within seven (7) days by majority vote of the bishops. The locum tenens is not permitted to leave the Patriarchate. He is not permitted to make any changes to the Patriarchate, nor can he ordain or take part in financial transactions (Article 32). His main function is to act as a place holder and to convene a Synod to elect the Patriarch“. What the locum tenens should be in the American Orthodox world...

Effort underway to return Spruce Island to Russian Church

Moscow, March 26 (Interfax) - Head of Yakutsk Aisen Nikolayev speaks for giving back to the Russian Church Spruse Island not far from Alaska.

He sent a corresponding address to Russian President Vladimir Putin, heads of both chambers of the Russian Parliament and to the Foreign Ministry, the Izvestia daily writes on Wednesday.

"I stand for restoring historical justice - returning of Spruse Island to its legal owners that is the Russian Orthodox Church," Nikolayev said.

According to him, the Church has undisputable rights on the island in compliance with the agreement on selling territories of Russian America to the USA.

"I have been keen on this story for a long time: Yakutsk scientists studied the documents and organized several expeditions to the USA. We celebrate the 220th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox mission in Northern America in 2014, I mean the Kodiak Mission. When, if not now, should we take up the question of Russian America?" Nikolayev wonders.

The edition notes that documents proving the right of the Church on the small island not far from Alaska were discovered by the Yakutsk scientific expedition in the archives of bibliographer Mikhail Vinokurov, who emigrated from Russia after revolution. The archive is kept in the library of Juneau town, Alaska.

The documents collected by Vinokurov include a certificate dated by 1868. It was signed by commissioner of the Russian government responsible for the transfer of North-American territories to the USA captain of the 2nd rank Alexey Peshchurov. The certificate says that Spruse Island (New Valaam), where St. Herman of Alaska lived, preached and was buried is conveyed to eternal use of the Russian Church. In October 1867, it was Peshchurov who signed the protocol on transferring Alaska and the Aleutian Island to the United States.

The effort to bury Abbot Theodor Micka at his monastery

Sacramento, CA (SFGate) - For nearly 35 years, Abbot Theodor Micka tended to the grounds of his 9-acre monastery in Castro Valley. Now, the 75-year-old is asking state lawmakers for a rare exemption to California law that would allow him to remain at the monastery he co-founded after he dies.

"From the moment the request was made, we got on this immediately," said state Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, whose district includes the monastery. "We looked at the best way to address the request with all due haste so he knows his final request will be granted."

SB124 would allow Alameda County to issue a burial permit for Micka on the Holy Cross Monastery grounds. Existing state law requires a burial at a cemetery, unless a person is cremated. Because the monastery is not a designated cemetery, burying the abbot on the property would be considered a misdemeanor without the special law.

With the legislative deadline to introduce bills having passed, Corbett employed a routine process known as a gut-and-amend, where the contents of a bill are replaced with new language. In this case, a bill to create incentives for the state to hire clean-energy contractors who use California products had stalled and was going nowhere.

Assembly hearing

Now the bill is scheduled to be heard Thursday in the Assembly, where it is expected to pass and head to the Senate on Monday.

"We are hoping to have this on the governor's desk by next week," Corbett said. "This is something we should do so the abbot can rest in peace."

Ordained in 1964, Micka knew he wanted to build a monastery with the inheritance his mother left him. Micka and the Rev. Stephen Scott made a pact in 1970 to open the monastery, spending nearly a decade raising the additional money needed. The pair expanded the monastery over the years by buying properties adjacent to their rural lot, which is surrounded by regional parks, wineries and a few homes.

Scott said Holy Cross is the only Orthodox monastery in the Bay Area. Monks provide weekly religious services, along with baptisms, weddings and memorials for Orthodox Christians.

In April, Micka was diagnosed with advanced cancer at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. Scott said Micka continued to deliver services up until recent months, when his condition worsened.

"He's restricted to his bed," said Scott, who is now Micka's caregiver. "He gets a lot of visitors. He's very much loved."

Scott said he envisions the abbot's final resting place to be somewhere near their chapel. After working with the Religious Liberty Clinic at Stanford University, Scott said they decided to pursue a narrowly crafted state law that allows Micka to be buried at the monastery.

Not unprecedented

The state Legislature passed a similar exemption in 2005 that allowed Metropolitan Anthony Gerigiannakis, a spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, to be buried on the grounds of the St. Nicholas Monastery he founded in Fresno County. Gerigiannakis died a month before the bill was signed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Scott said he hopes to be able to tell Micka his final request has been granted.

"We are trying to get this done," Scott said, "while Father Theodor is still alive so he has the peace of knowing where he will be."

Polish Orthodox Church returns to Old Calendar

(cerkiew.pl) [machine translation] - On Tuesday, March 18 at the headquarters of the Metropolitan of Warsaw and the entire Polish took the spring session of the Holy. Council of Bishops PAKP under the leadership of His Eminence, His Beatitude Sawa, Orthodox Metropolitan of Warsaw and the Polish. Subject agenda St. Council concerned the internal and external activities of the Church.

Following issues were discussed:

External:

• Acquainted with the replies sent information about Church life in patriarchies Constantinople, Moscow, Bulgarian and Czech and Slovak metropolis.
• Acquainted with the results of the meeting the heads of the Local Orthodox Orthodox Church, which took place in Constantinople on March 6-9. For work in the Preparatory Commission for Wszechprawosławnego Council, which will take place in 2016 posting: His Excellency Bishop Siemiatycze George and Fr. prot. Dr. Andrew Kuzma.
• Adopted and discussed the report of the international conference on sects, which took place in Volos (Greece) and the X Assembly of the World Council of Churches taking place in Busan (Korea).

Internal:

• Due to the fact that most of the parish PAKP (96%) celebrating holidays by old style (Julian) and asking the faithful - St. Council of Bishops appealed conciliar decision of 12 April 1924 concerning the introduction of a new style (Gregorian) and decided to go back to the old style (Julian) on 15 June 2014 (All Saints Sunday). Where necessary, a style may be practiced new.
• St. residency program discussed. Holy relics. Mary Magdalene, who will arrive in Polish on 16 August. and will stay for 23 VIII 2014, the
• Acquainted with the work of the bilateral Commission of the Roman Catholic Church and other issues are discussed ecumenical.
• Acquainted with translation into Polish Trebnik and sent for further consultation.
• Discussed and adopted the report of all the diocese for 2013.

Complete article here.

Incense Prayer for Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas

The below is from the Incense Prayer in Malayalam at the first part of the funeral service of His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch of Antioch and all the East Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church in Germany. This is the head of an Oriental Orthodox Church and not the Orthodox Church. More videos from the funeral available here.

Back from a road trip

Attended the ordination of a good friend in New Jersey last weekend with all the kids in tow.

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OCA announces changes in Canada

Update: Thanks to a reader for finding the declaration itself from the document "MINUTES OF THE SPRING SESSION OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA, Diocese of the Midwest Chancery Chicago, Illinois" dated May 6, 2011 and available here (PDF).

Resolution 1 – LOCUM TENENCY

Be it resolved this day, May 3, 2011, by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting in the City of Chicago, IL, pertaining to Article VI, Section 8 of the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America which states “In the event of a vacancy in the office of diocesan bishop, a locum tenens, appointed by the Metropolitan, shall convoke and preside over the Diocesan Assembly whose sole purpose at this time shall be the election of a new diocesan bishop,” that the Metropolitan shall appoint a locum tenens from among the other hierarchs of the Synod and not himself, so as not to burden the Primate with supervision of multiple dioceses.

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(OCA)- On March 21, 2014, during their regular Spring Session, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America made the following decisions.

1. The Holy Synod has retired Archbishop Seraphim of Ottawa and the Archdiocese of Canada, effective immediately. He has been restricted to the Chapel of Saint Silouan, Spencerville, Ontario and Holy Trinity Church, Edmonton, AB, and must follow all restrictions placed upon him by the Canadian authorities as he awaits sentencing following his conviction on January 24, 2014 on one count of sexual assault.
2. In addition, the Holy Synod declared the See of Ottawa vacant and appointed His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, as Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Canada. In due course, a Special Archdiocesan Assembly will be convened for the nomination of a new ruling bishop. My memory tells me that under Met. Jonah a new rule was put in place by the Synod that metropolitans were forbidden from being locum tenentes. Many found this decision to be one meant to draw down the responsibilities/powers of Met. Jonah at the time. Does anyone know if this rule is still in effect?
3. His Grace, Bishop Irénée of Quebec City, continues to serve as Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada. The clergy of the Archdiocese are directed to offer the commemorations in liturgical services as follow: “His Beatitude Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Canada and His Grace, Irenee, Bishop of Quebec City, Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada.”

The Synodal Commission is directed to complete its investigation from an internal Church perspective as part of the ongoing canonical process that will lead to the convening of a Spiritual Court.

British hospitals cease using dead babies for heating

(The Telegraph) - The bodies of thousands of aborted and miscarried babies were incinerated as clinical waste, with some even used to heat hospitals, an investigation has found.

Ten NHS trusts have admitted burning foetal remains alongside other rubbish while two others used the bodies in ‘waste-to-energy’ plants which generate power for heat.

Last night the Department of Health issued an instant ban on the practice which health minister Dr Dan Poulter branded ‘totally unacceptable.’

At least 15,500 foetal remains were incinerated by 27 NHS trusts over the last two years alone, Channel 4’s Dispatches discovered.

The programme, which will air tonight, found that parents who lose children in early pregnancy were often treated without compassion and were not consulted about what they wanted to happen to the remains.

One of the country’s leading hospitals, Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge, incinerated 797 babies below 13 weeks gestation at their own ‘waste to energy’ plant. The mothers were told the remains had been ‘cremated.’

Another ‘waste to energy’ facility at Ipswich Hospital, operated by a private contractor, incinerated 1,101 foetal remains between 2011 and 2013.

They were brought in from another hospital before being burned, generating energy for the hospital site. Ipswich Hospital itself disposes of remains by cremation.

“This practice is totally unacceptable,” said Dr Poulter.

“While the vast majority of hospitals are acting in the appropriate way, that must be the case for all hospitals and the Human Tissue Authority has now been asked to ensure that it acts on this issue without delay.”

Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS Medical Director, has written to all NHS trusts to tell them the practice must stop.

The Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, has also written to the Human Tissue Authority to ask them make sure that guidance is clear.

And the Care Quality Commission said it would investigate the programme's findings.

Prof Sir Mike Richards, Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said: “I am disappointed trusts may not be informing or consulting women and their families.

“This breaches our standard on respecting and involving people who use services and I’m keen for Dispatches to share their evidence with us.

“We scrutinise information of concern and can inspect unannounced, if required.”

A total of one in seven pregnancies ends in a miscarriage, while NHS figures show there are around 4,000 stillbirths each year in the UK, or 11 each day.

Ipswich Hospital Trust said it was concerned to discover that foetal remains from another hospital had been incinerated on its site.

A spokeswoman said: “The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust does not incinerate foetal remains.”
She added that the trust “takes great care over foetal remains”

A spokesman for the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said that trained health professionals discuss the options with parents ‘both verbally and in writing.’

"The parents are given exactly the same choice on the disposal of foetal remains as for a stillborn child and their personal wishes are respected,” they added.

Fr. Alexander Atty has reposed. Memory Eternal!

In 2009 Fr. Alexander Atty gave a series of lectures on the campus of St. Vladimir's during their annual Lenten Retreat. Fr. Alexander was at the time the priest at St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Louisville, KY. His talks were, for me, life-changing. Even today, when things seem insurmountable, I listen to the below podcasts.

The Good and Faithful Priest - Part 1 - Transcript

The Good and Faithful Priest - Part 2 - Transcript

The Good and Faithful Priest - Part 3 - Transcript

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(antiochian.org) - As we continue to mourn the loss of Metropolitan Philip, your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of the newly-departed servant of God, the beloved Archpriest Alexander Atty. The V. Rev. Fr. Alexander, former Dean of St. Tikhon's Seminary and before that priest at St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church in Louisville, KY, fell asleep in the Lord early Sunday morning March 23. May his memory be eternal!

Services for Fr. Alexander are listed below.

March 25, Tuesday
Annunciation of the Theotokos
10:30 am–7:00 pm: Viewing
7:00 pm: Funeral of a priest

March 26, Wednesday
11:00 am: Funeral Service for Fr. Alexander
(following the 9:00 am Presanctified Liturgy)

Friday, March 28
Prayers/service at:
St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral
706 Hill Street, Mayfield, PA

Interment
St. Tikhon's Orthodox Cemetery
South Canaan, PA 18459

Father Alexander held a B.S. in engineering from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. After earning his M.Div. at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1979, he was ordained a priest on December 9, 1979 at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY. Father Alexander was elevated to the rank of archpriest in 1988, and later went on to study at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, earning his D.Min. in 2008.

Thank you to Ancient Faith Radio for recommending this recent interview with Fr. Alexander conducted by Dr. Al Rossi.

OCA Synodal Spring Session notes

(OCA) - The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America concluded its spring session on Friday, March 21, 2014. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, chaired the session.

In his opening report, titled “The Apostolic Work of the Church,” Metropolitan Tikhon presented a working copy of his vision for the Church’s ongoing ministry for the immediate future. He highlighted the following aspects of his vision.

• Evangelization. The OCA recently received an immensely generous bequest of $1 million to be used for evangelization. He appointed a Focus Group, which met to examine possibilities and and to identify three possible choices for the Holy Synod’s consideration. It will be interesting to see, 5 years on, what sort of effect this will have on church growth.
• Clergy Health. The spiritual, physical and psychological health of our clergy must be strengthened for effective mission and evangelistic ministry. By assisting the clergy in maintaining their health, the health of the parishes they serve will be ensured.
• Seminaries and Monasteries. It is critical to continue the examination and building up of the life of our three seminaries and numerous monasteries. Recently, a joint meeting with a number of members of the Boards of Saint Vladimir’s and Saint Tikhon’s seminaries was held.
• The All-American Council. In the spirit of the early Church, the 18th AAC in 2015 will appropriate the theme of the First All-American Sobor of 1907—“How to Expand the Mission”—at which Saint Tikhon presided.
• Archpriest John Jillions, Chancellor, reviewed his diocesan and seminary visitations, and spoke of the urgent need to reinvigorate the Department of Pastoral Life, especially in light of the need to address clergy health.
• A detailed review of the work of the Chancery staff was presented by Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Secretary. He also reported on ongoing plans for the 18th All-American Council, including potential agenda items and operational issues.
• Melanie Ringa, Treasurer, updated Holy Synod members on the financial status of the Church and the results of the most recent audit. She also reviewed possible scenarios for financing the Church, developed in conjunction with the diocesan chancellors and treasurers., for presentation at the 18th AAC.

According to Father Tosi, other highlights of the meeting include the following.

• The Holy Synod elected His Grace, Bishop Mark [Maymon] as Bishop of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania.
• The OCA Pension Board met with the Holy Synod to discuss its Strategic Plan, as presented by John Sedor, Board Chair. Mr. Sedor reported on efforts to increase membership in the Plan on the part of clergy and full-time Church workers. He emphasized that the Plan is stable and comparable to similar retirement plans. He asked that a representative be appointed within each Diocese to help educate the clergy and other potential participants on the Plan’s benefits and to assist them with the enrollment process.
• Jim Geoly, Esq., gave a presentation on First Amendment issues in the Church and reviewed legal issues related to sexual misconduct and procedures. He answered numerous questions posted by Holy Synod members.
• Dr. Albert Rossi and other members of the Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee [SMPAC] reported on procedures and presented amendments to the Policies, Standards and Procedures [PSP] for consideration by the Holy Synod. Such amendments included the recusal of bishops, the effect of criminal convictions, and Registered Sex Offender policies.
• Cindy Davis, Coordinator of the Office for Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations [ORSMA], reviewed the work of the office and recommended on-line sites for obtaining background checks and sexual abuse prevention training. The Holy Synod resolved that throughout the Orthodox Church in America, level-one background check would be required of all bishops, priests, deacons, subdeacons, and readers, as well as lay workers who have more than minimal contact with children. The background checks would be required at least once every three years.
• The Holy Synod once again reviewed the process of vetting candidates for the episcopacy. In closed session, they also reviewed potential episcopal candidates. Will we see a Bishop of Dallas this year?
• As required by the OCA Statute, the Holy Synod heard reports on the life and work of all 14 OCA dioceses, presented by their respective hierarchs.
• The Holy Synod heard and approved a proposal submitted by the Commission on Liturgical Music of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey calling for the establishment of the Order of Saint Romanos to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to liturgical music in the Orthodox Church in America. Guidelines for the granting of future awards to well known composers, arrangers, teachers, and conductors were established. Four individuals were approved to receive the award. [Additional information on the awards will be forthcoming.]
• Recommendations for the use of the aforementioned $1 million bequest, made by Focus Group on Mission and Evangelization, were reviewed. It was decided to establish an endowment fund, which will be managed by a committee appointed for that purpose. Interest from the endowment fund will be used to sponsor an annual Mission School, to be held in various regions, to teach the theory and practice of missions and evangelism to clergy and lay people. The details of the Mission School will be forthcoming.
• Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky reported on a variety of matters with regard to the Department of External Affairs.
• Archpriest Alexander Rentel updated the Holy Synod on the current work of the Statute Revision Commission. The draft of the revised Statute is expected to be available for review by the Church before the end of summer 2014. The Commission will provide opportunities for comprehensive discussion by all members of the Church in various forums. The revised Statute will be presented for adoption at the 18th All-American Council.
• The Holy Synod confirmed The Church Court Guidelines and Procedures for the Orthodox Church in America.
• As part of the series of departmental updates presented to the Holy Synod, Matushka Valerie Zahirsky reported on the work of the Department of Christian Education, while Archpriest Steven Voytovich updated the bishops on the work of the Department of Institutional Chaplaincy. In addition, Metropolitan Tikhon presented the report of the Board of Theological Education.
• Holy Synod members heard and approved recommendations of candidates for ordination to the diaconate who have completed a Diaconal Vocation Program.
• Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Chancellor of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, reported on the school’s ongoing work. He noted the Association of Theological Schools’ most recent site visit resulted in the granting of a seven-year accreditation. He also reviewed upcoming events and discussed various issues of concern in the life of the seminary, including financial issues. Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, summarized his first year as the school’s recently appointed Dean and spoke of challenges facing the seminary. Priorities include the need for married student housing, the ongoing necessity of obtaining scholarships for students, and other financial matters. His Grace, Bishop David, reported on the work of Saint Herman’s Seminary. He noted the need to expand opportunities for Alaskans to attend the seminary for training in pastoral work throughout the State, particularly in Native villages. A primary problem with STOTS married housing being that some in leadership are opposed to putting families on campus knowing that small children are hard on housing. I understand their concern, but the current "find what you can" method is quite a strain on families.
• The Holy Synod elevated His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and the Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania, to the dignity of Archbishop. Other clergy awards, elevations, and gramotas, as proposed by the diocesan hierarchs, also were issued. The Archbishop title was recently granted on a timer of sorts - if you are a bishop for (if memory serves) five years in good standing, you get the honorific.
• The Holy Synod also reviewed a variety of clergy matters, including disciplines and awards.

A photo gallery may be viewed on the OCA web site and Facebook page.

Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas has reposed

(Syrian Orthodox Church) - It is with great sadness that we, the North American Archdioceses of the Syriac Orthodox Church, wish to inform you of the passing of His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church. His Holiness was called to his eternal rest today, March 21, 2014, following a heart attack while in Germany for medical treatment. Eighty years of age, His Holiness was born in Mosul, Iraq on April 21, 1933 and served as our supreme spiritual father since his election to the Patriarchal See of Antioch on September 14, 1980.

A tireless servant of the Lord, His Holiness labored faithfully to strengthen and guide the Holy Church for more than three decades during which time he was instrumental in the establishment of new vicariates throughout the world and the construction of St. Ephrem Monastery and Theological Seminary at Ma’arrat Saidnaya, near Damascus, Syria. His Holiness was very active in the Ecumenical Movement, strengthening ties with other Christian traditions and churches. He was likewise an outstanding theologian and scholar. During the recent years of the tragic suffering in Syria and Iraq, His Holiness has been a source of consolation and support to his spiritual children both near and far.

We ask that you kindly remember His Holiness in your prayers and ask the Lord to sustain and support the Holy Church of Antioch through this time of sorrow and loss. We also request that you pray for the Church as it now seeks to select a worthy successor to shepherd the flock through the challenging years that await us. May the Lord bless you and may He grant His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas eternal peace and rest in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Western USA
Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, Eastern USA
Mor Athanasius Elia Bahi, Canada
Mor Titus Yeldho, Malankara Archdiocese

Mayan Orthodoxy website launched!

Witness history as thousands of people enter the Orthodox Church in Guatemala and Mexico.

http://www.mayanorthodoxy.com

WHO ARE THE MAYAN ORTHODOX?

The Mayan Orthodox are a group of several thousand Guatemalans and Mexicans who came into the Orthodox Church in 2010 under the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Mexico. They are called "Mayan" Orthodox because the majority of the converts are descendants of the ancient Mayan groups who lived in Central America long before Europeans arrived. The Mayans might seem like a relic of ancient history, but there are still millions of Mayan people who live in Central America and speak their native, Mayan languages. Now, a huge group of those Mayans have entered the Orthodox Church.

Note: the technical term for the people is "Maya," but the popular term "Mayan" is used throughout the site.

HOW DID THEY COME INTO THE ORTHODOX CHURCH?

Most of these people were originally Roman Catholics who fell away for various reasons. Some of the people wanted to stay in the Catholic Church but were alienated because of their non-traditional, often charismatic worship practices. Other people came from a different background that was liturgically conservative, and they left because they thought poorly of their bishops or they disagreed with changes in the Catholic Church (e.g., Vatican II). These diverse communities were all united by the late Fr. Andrés Girón, a former Roman Catholic priest and an active politician. Through his charisma and his leadership in land reform movements, Fr. Andrés united the diverse communities and brought them into the Orthodox Church in 2010.

IS THIS GROUP RELATED TO THE ORPHANAGE IN GUATEMALA CITY?

People from across the world have traveled to the Hogar Rafael Ayau, an Orthodox orphanage in Guatemala City. In terms of its history, the orphanage is not connected with the Mayan communities. The nuns who run the orphanage came into the Orthodox Church through different life events, and they entered into a different church jurisdiction (Antiochian) than that of the Mayan communities (Greek). There has been some interaction between these two different Orthodox groups: two of the Mayan clergy were ordained at the nuns' monastery by Metropolitan Athenagoras, and at one point some of the orphans from the Hogar lived with Fr. Andrés Girón. At this point, however, the collaboration has not developed further. Nevertheless, by God's grace and through the leadership of the hierarchs, the two groups could work more closely in the future to create an even stronger movement towards Orthodoxy in Central America...

More information available here.

Met. Silouan: Patriarchal Vicar for Antiochians in US

(antiochian.org) - The Archdiocese communicates with a heavy heart as we struggle with the news of the falling asleep in Christ of Metropolitan Philip. May his memory be eternal!

We express our sincerest appreciation to our Father in Christ, His Beatitude Patriarch John X for his pastoral care and love. His Beatitude was in continual contact with us, and with Metropolitan Philip during his hospital stay, and showed his love and concern for his spiritual children in North America. For this, we are most grateful. May the memory of Metropolitan Philip be eternal, and may God grant many years to His Beatitude Patriarch John.

The schedule for all events associated with the falling asleep of Metropolitan Philip is available here. All events will be held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York unless another location is specified. His Beatitude Patriarch John has told us that he intends to be with us for the funeral and the Sunday Divine Liturgy.

Attached you will find letters from His Beatitude Patriarch John X, both the Arabic original (PDF) and an English translation in two parts - Letter to Archbishop Joseph (PDF); Patriarchal Decision (PDF).

Both letters appoint Metropolitan Silouan of Buenos Aires and all Argentina as the Patriarchal Vicar until such time as a new Metropolitan is elected by the Holy Synod of Antioch. The Patriarchal Vicar is responsible for the administration of the Archdiocese until a new Metropolitan is elected. Archbishop Joseph will serve as the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese. Archbishop Joseph will arrive in New Jersey on Friday March 21, and Metropolitan Silouan will arrive on Monday March 24.

Effective immediately and until the election of a new Metropolitan, all clergy of this Archdiocese are instructed to commemorate His Beatitude John, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East during divine services as follows: Great Entrance “Our father and Patriarch John and our bishop (name), the Lord God remember them in His Kingdom always now and ever and unto ages of ages”. Also during the Great Entrance, the first name that is commemorated among the departed will be His Eminence Metropolitan Philip as follows “Our father and Metropolitan Philip”.

The remembrance of Metropolitan Philip will be done for 40 days, which ends on Sunday April 27. For the Great Ektenia “Our father and Patriarch John and our bishop (name), for the venerable priesthood, etc.”. After the Megalynarion “Among the first be mindful O Lord of our Father and Patriarch John, and our bishop (name),whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches etc.”.

There is still much to do, and many details to be worked out.

Please continue to check www.antiochian.org for further updates.

May his memory be eternal!

Russian Synod on Ukraine

(ROCOR) - The following document was approved at a session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on March 19, 2014 (Journal No. 3).

The attention of the entire Orthodox world is transfixed upon the tragic events taking place in the Ukrainian land. Blood has been spilt in Kiev. Unrest has spread throughout the entire country.

Responding to this acute situation and to the threats of violent takeover of churches and monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, having gathered on March 6-9 of this year in Istanbul, jointly addressed an appeal for the peaceful resolution of civil resistance and for the non-intervention of political forces into church matters. The Primates also bore witness to the fact that they pray for the return of those who are today outside of ecclesiastical communion to the bosom of the Holy Church.

Having gathered today at a session of the Holy Synod, we once again appeal to Ukraine, so dear to our hearts, and bear witness that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church correspondingly called for and continues to call for peace and for prayer, without identifying with (in contrast with a series of other religious organizations) one or another side of the political conflict. Her devoted children live in all regions of Ukraine, she is the largest religious community in the nation, which lives a unified life with her people, she is right beside them in their moment of trials and sorrows. Herein lies the unique character of her social service, for people who live in Ukraine belong to various ethnic, lingual and cultural communities, which have various political viewpoints. Some strive for the maximal integration in political structures created by the Western European governments. Others, on the contrary, strive for developing relations with the people of historic Rus, for the preservation of their original native culture.

The contrasting social tendencies, alternately seizing the advantage over the other, are polarizing Ukrainian society. The Church, rising above these differences, cannot identify herself with only one of the aforementioned points of view. On the contrary, the canonical Orthodox Church, preserving communion with all of Orthodox Christianity, is the sole force which can, for the sake of preserving civil peace, pacify and unite all peoples who adhere to diametrically opposed convictions.

The mission of the Church, the sacred duty of all of her children, is to strive for peace on the land of the people of Holy Rus, to call for the rejection of language of hatred and enmity. Whatever might happen in the sphere of inter-governmental relations, however political conflict there may be, the unity of faith and the brotherhood of people who have emerged from a single baptismal font cannot be erased from our common past. We believe that it cannot be erased from our common future, in which the fraternal Belarussian, Russian, Ukrainian and other nations must live in peace, love and solidarity.

The Russian Orthodox Church has many times called for the prevention of violence, bloodshed and internecine strife on the Ukrainian land. Unfortunately, we have not been able to avoid tragic events: people have died, many have suffered. That is why today, again and again, we call upon everyone for whom the Ukrainian people and peace in Ukraine is dear: violence cannot continue.

The borders of the Church are not determined by political preferences, ethnic differences and even state borders. The Church preserves her unity despite all changing circumstances. At the same time, it is of principal importance whether the peoples of historic Rus can preserve those values upon which Christian civilization was built, values which allowed us to erect our glorious past, and, we believe, which makes a dignified future possible.

It is important to preserve our loyalty to the fundamental values established by the Gospel of Christ and to manifest the eternal Divine law not only in our personal lives, but in the lives of our peoples, in their interrelationships, which must remain fraternal even in moments of difficult tribulations. May God’s judgment, which is manifest over each person and each nation in history, prove us worthy laborers in the vineyards of Christ, devotees of His truth and manifesting works of His love.

Lifting up our prayers to the Lord with one mouth, we are called upon to heed the words of Holy Apostle Paul, to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 1:3).

ROCOR elects Fr. Nicholas Olhovsky for Manhattan see

MOSCOW: March 19, 2014 (ROCOR) - The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Confirms the Election of Priest Nicholas Olhovsky as Bishop of Manhattan by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad

"JOURNAL No. 10 of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

“HEARD: “The report of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, President of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, interceding for the confirmation of the election of Priest Nicholas Olhovsky, a clergyman of the Eastern American Diocese, to the cathedra of Bishop of Manhattan, Vicar of the Eastern America Diocese.

“DECREED: To confirm the election of Priest Nicholas Olhovsky, clergyman of the clergyman of the Eastern American Diocese, to the cathedra of Bishop of Manhattan, Vicar of the Eastern America Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.”

As it is known, on July 10, 2013, the cathedra of the Manhattan Vicariate of the Eastern American Diocese was vacated. On Monday, December 9, 2013, the eve of the feast day of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia made a decision on the successor to this cathedra. The Syod of Bishops decided that Priest Nicholas Olhovsky is a suitable candidate. As a result, the Synod of Bishops decreed: “To seek the response of the Eminent Members of the Council of Bishops with regard to the possibility of consecration, upon tonsure to monasticism, of Priest Nicholas Olhovsky as Bishop of Manhattan, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese.”

The Synod of Bishops, having deliberated upon the results of the questionnaire sent to the Eminent Members of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia during its meeting on February 19, 2014, decided:

1) To deem Priest Nicholas Olhovsky unanimously elected by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia as Bishop of Manhattan.

2) In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion, to send an appeal addressed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to confirm this election.

3) In case of a positive resolution by His Holiness and the Holy Synod, to consecrate, after the tonsure into monasticism and elevation to the rank of archimandrite, Priest Nicholas Olhovsky to the episcopacy in the Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in San Francisco on Sunday, June 29, and on the eve, to perform the rite of nomination in the same cathedral.”

Brief biography:

Priest Nicholas Olhovsky was born on December 17, 1974, in Trenton, NJ, to the pious Alexander Nikolaevich and Evdokia Grigorievna (nee Rusinovich) Olhovsky, who had fled the USSR during World War II. Baptized on January 18, 1975, in Dormition Church in that city. Graduated Hamilton West High School (NJ) in 1993, and graduated from St Alexander Nevsky Russian Parish School in Lakewood, NJ, in May 1991. From September, 1993, until May 1998, studied at Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY, where he received a Bachelor of Theology Degree. Executed his obediences in the book-binding shop, icon studio and typography (working in the latter until 2002). On the feast day of the Dormition of the Most-Holy Mother of God in 1994, ordained a reader by Bishop Hilarion of Manhattan, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, in Trenton’s Dormition Church. From September 1998 until December 2000, studied at State University of New York Technology School, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Information and Communications. From March 1999 until March 2008, served as the cell-attendant of Archbishop (and since October 2001, Metropolitan) Laurus.

In May, 2004, he was a participant of the first official visit to Russia of Metropolitan Laurus of blessed memory, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. On November 14 of that year, he married Elizabeth Panteleimonovna Shohov. On January 8, 2005, ordained a subdeacon by Metropolitan Laurus. In May, 2006, served as a delegate to the 4th All-Diaspora Church Council. On June 12 of that year, ordained by Metropolitan Laurus to the diakonate, and assigned to Holy Trinity Monastery. In May, 2007, participated in the celebration of the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion in Moscow, accompanying Metropolitan Laurus in the subsequent pilgrimage to the Kursk Diocese and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. On June 16, 2008, was awarded the double horarion. In July of that year, accompanied the reliquary containing the hand of St Elizabeth and Nun Barbara to Australia. In September 2008, assigned to the Staff of the Synod of Bishops. In May, 2009, appointed to the organizing committee of the trip to Russia of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign.” In September 2009, a member of the delegation accompanying the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God to Russia. In 2010, accompanied the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God to Kiev, Suma and Kursk. On September 8, 2010, became a widower. In December 2010, appointed the Caretaker of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign.” In January 2011, appointed a clergyman of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York, and granted a residence at the Synod. In September 2011, accompanied the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God to the Kursk Diocese and the Metropoliate of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In November 2011, accompanied the miracle-working icon to Australia. On December 18, 2011, elevated to the rank of protodeacon.

On August 1, 2012, ordained to the priesthood and granted the nabedrennik at St Seraphim Church in Sea Cliff, NY. In September 2012, accompanied the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God to the Samaran, Kursk and Perm Dioceses. In December 2012, accompanied the Kursk-Root Icon to Seattle and Hawaii. On January 6, 2013, was awarded the kamilavka and gold pectoral cross by the Synod of Bishops. In March/April, 2013, accompanied the Kursk-Root Icon to the Canadian Diocese. In November 2013, was a delegate accompanying the Icon to Japan and to the Primorsk Metropoliate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Met. Philip has fallen asleep in the Lord

(antiochian.org) - The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, with great sadness, announces the passing unto life eternal of His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan Philip, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America. May his memory be eternal! Details are forthcoming.

Armed men taking inventory of UOC-KP churches in Crimea

(Moscow Times) - Priests from the Moscow-based Orthodox Church accompanied by armed men have threatened to seize property belonging to a rival church denomination in the Crimea after the peninsula completes its accession to Russia, a Ukrainian prelate said.

In one recent case, a Moscow Patriarchate priest from the Black Sea port of Sevastopol arrived at the Crimean village of Perevalnoye with an entourage of armed men and demanded to see documentation of property belonging to the Kiev Patriarchate there, Crimea's Archbishop Kliment told Ukraine's Channel 5 television.

The men "started to take inventory of our property and warned that as soon as Ukrainian servicemen leave Perevalnoye, the church on the territory of the military base will belong to the Moscow patriarchate," he said.

Ukraine has two separate Ukrainian Orthodox churches — that of the Moscow Patriarchate, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church based in Moscow, and that of the Kiev Patriarchate, which was established in 1992 following a schism with the Russian leaders.

There is also the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, which the other canonical Orthodox churches refuse to recognize.

ROCOR Pastoral School to offer Summer Courses

(Orthodox Pastoral School) - Have you thought about broadening your Orthodox Horizons?

Would you like to learn more about the history, faith, and beauty of Orthodoxy?

Prayerfully consider registering for a Summer Courses Class online!

All Pastoral School summer courses are available to the general public without the need for a formal application to our complete Diploma program.

With Bishop Peter's blessing, this year summer courses will again be offered in the Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & The Orthodox Pastoral School of Chicago and Mid-America.

To register please visit the link here.

To learn more about the summer courses and all the offerings of the Pastoral School please visit the link here.

The following courses will be offered this year – dates for the courses are June 9-July 20, 2014:

• 111 Liturgics
• 112 Church Slavonic
• 113 Byzantine History

For more information or with questions please contact the Associate Dean of the Pastoral School, Archpriest Gregory Joyce.

17th Century Calvinistic and Roman Influences on Orthodoxy

(AFR) - Fr. Tom talks about what happened in the 17th Century, when Orthodoxy in both Constantinople and Ukraine were influenced by non Orthodox thinking.

OCA offering diaconal instruction this summer

(OCA) - The Eighth Annual Diaconal Liturgical Practicum — a program held in conjunction with the Orthodox Church in America’s Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary — will be held Sunday, June 22 through Wednesday, June 25, 2014 on the seminary campus in Yonkers, NY. The four–day program will focus on intense practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates.

During the program, practical liturgical training will be supported by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and other services, while intensive workshops will provide participants with the skills needed to serve effectively as an attentive server, deacon, or priest. In addition, focused presentations will augment the deacon’s understanding of his place in the liturgical life of the Church and his broader vocation as a symbol to the faithful of the diakonia of Jesus Christ.

“This practicum is highly recommended by the Holy Synod of Bishops for participants in the Church’s Diaconal Vocations Program,” said Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, director of the DVP and leader of the liturgical workshops for the practicum. Archpriest Dr. Sergius Halvorsen, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, will lead sessions on public speaking, teaching, and preaching, as well as chanting and vocal technique.

Participants are asked to arrive after 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22; the last day of the practicum, June 25, includes morning Divine Liturgy, a closing discussion, and brunch. Participants may leave campus at noon for 3:00 p.m. and later flights from area airports.

For more information, please contact diaconal2014@svots.edu. Register here.

And also...

DETROIT, MI (OCA-DMW) — A conference for catechists, Diaconal Vocations program students, and those interested in furthering their understanding of the Orthodox Christian faith will be sponsored by the Diocese of the Midwest at Saint Andrew’s House here August 8-9, 2014.

His Grace, Bishop Alexander and Priest Elijah Mueller, Director, will facilitate the program.

The conference is especially designed for those who took the Late/Diaconal Vocations course before the present Diocesan program was instituted and who need to move forward with petitioning, those interested in beginning the program but live in an area where no local group has been established, those who want to participate in a diaconal practicum, and those who have taken courses within the program who desire to meet for further education and fellowship.

The conference will feature a variety of classes, a practicum, opportunities to meet with Bishop Alexander and the Vocations Director, “hands on” assistance with petition paperwork, and presentations on lay catechesis. Presentations on Orthodox spirituality round out the program.

Costs and final schedule have yet to be established. Financial assistance will be available for those who request it.

Interested individuals are asked to call Father Elijah at 312-714-9775 or to send an e-mail to elijahnmueller@sbcglobal.net.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Met. Antony of UOC-USA speaks on Ukraine

Update on Bp. Mark's election to Eastern PA see

(OCA) - His Grace, Bishop Mark [Maymon] was elected by the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America to fill the vacant Episcopal See of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday, March 18, 2014.

The election took place on the opening day of the spring session of the Holy Synod, at which His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, presided.

Delegates to the Assembly of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, held at Saint Nicholas Church, Bethlehem, PA on January 17, 2014, had nominated Bishop Mark, who had served as the Diocese’s Administrator since 2012, to fill the vacant See. His name was subsequently presented to the Holy Synod for canonical election.

Born on June 22, 1958 in New Albany, IN, Bishop Mark was baptized at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church and confirmed at the age of nine years. He attended elementary school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and graduated from New Albany High School in 1976. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK in 1985. In 1987, he was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Literature from Oral Roberts University, where he accepted the position of Adjunct Professor of Old Testament.

Having been introduced to the Orthodox Church by the Archpriest George Eber, Pastor of Saint Antony Antiochian Orthodox Church, Tulsa, and his professors Dr. Jerry Sandidge and Dr. Howard Ervin of Oral Roberts University, he was received into the Orthodox Church through Holy Chrismation on Great and Holy Wednesday 1989. He attended Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, from which he received his Master of Divinity degree in 1991.

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Presanctified Liturgy at Christ the Saviour Cathedral

(mospat.ru) - On 14 March 2014, Friday of the second week of Lent, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated Vespers and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. That day marked the 38th anniversary of his episcopal consecration.

From samurai to monastic: a journey of Japanese Orthodoxy

(Pravoslavie.ru) - Hierodeacon Nikolai (Ono) comes from an old family of priests of the Japanese Orthodox Church. His great-great grandfather’s name—Priest John Ono—is often mentioned in the diaries of St1. Nicholas of Japan. We talk with Fr. Nikolai about his family and Orthodox churches of Japan and Russia.

Fr. Nikolai, please tell us about your family.

On my father’s side, my family was Samurai. They lived in the city of Sendai in northeast Japan. My great-great grandfather, Ono Syogoro Sigenobu, was the last Samurai in our family. He was baptized with the name of John by St. Nicholas of Japan in 1871 and became one of the first Christians in the Japanese land. Later, John Ono was ordained a priest, was engaged in missionary work, and was the dean of the church in the city of Osaka. My great grandfather and grandfather likewise received baptism and were parishioners of the church in Kyoto.

My father is also called John. Since there are no Orthodox educational institutions with government licensing, he studied in the theological department of a Protestant university in Kyoto, and after graduating he entered the Orthodox Ecclesiastical Seminary in Tokyo. After graduating from the seminary my father was ordained a deacon, then in 1990 to the rank of priest, and served in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tokyo, which is known as “Nikolai-do.” After that he was sent to the Church of the Annunciation in Kyoto (the cathedral of the Western Japan Eparchy), where he served as dean for about 20 years. After Kyoto, my father was once again summoned to serve in the Tokyo cathedral, where he carries out his obedience to this day.

Have any old Orthodox holy items been preserved in your family?

We have a photograph of St. Nicholas of Japan with his autograph, which the holy bishop himself gave to my great-great grandfather as a present...

Complete article here.