Byzantine, Texas

( OCA ) - On Sunday, November 29, 2020, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America met under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon via teleconference, and declared vacant the see of the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska following the death of the diocesan hierarch, His Eminence Archbishop David of Sitka and Alaska. During the meeting, His Beatitude informed the Holy Synod that he had appointed His Grace Bishop Alexis of Bethesda locum tenens of the diocese. The schedule for the funeral service for His Eminence Archbishop David is as follows: Tuesday, December 1  3:00 PM: Arrival of the body at Holy Trinity Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA.  3:30 PM: Panikhida will be held, followed by viewing. Please note that the Church has limited capacity and the number of people in the Church building will be tightly controlled.  6:00 PM: Order for the Burial of a Hierarch will be held. Interment, not open to the public due to COVID restrictions, will be at St. Tikhon...

( Orthodox Synaxis ) - Yesterday, November 25, 2020, the Holy Synod of Cyprus, by a vote of 10-7, issued the following statement: The Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, during its sessions of November 23 and 25, 2020, discussed in detail the Ukrainian Ecclesiastical Question as well as the problem that was created by the commemoration of Epifany as Primate of the Church of Ukraine on the part of His Beatitutude the Archbishop of Cyprus, Chrysostomos, and it decided not to oppose the above decision of His Beatitude. At the same time, the Holy Synod looks forward to a wider consultation in which everyone may work to overcome the current crisis which threatens the Church of Christ with schism. Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus November 25, 2020 Archbishop Chrysostomos’ decision had previously received emphatic opposition from four metropolitans on the synod. In an interview following the decision, Metropolitan Nikephoros of Kykkos made the following statement... Complete article here .

( orthochristian ) - His Eminence Archbishop David of Sitka and Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America fell asleep in the Lord today at the age of 68, following a short battle with aggressive renal cancer. His Eminence had served as the bishop of Alaska since 2014. The sad news was confirmed to OrthoChristian by Fr. Timothy Hojnicki of Holy Apostles Church in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, who together with His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada, served a panikhida at Abp. David’s bedside soon after his repose. The Archbishop had been living with his daughter in Hanover, Pennsylvania during his treatment. His Eminence’s battle with the disease progressed quickly. He was only diagnosed with cancer about two months ago. In 2015, OrthoChristian had the honor of interviewing Abp. David about his ministry in Alaska. See: “For the Love of the People. A Conversation With Bishop David Mahaffey on Serving in Alaska.” May his memory be eternal!

Moscow, November 20 ( Interfax ) - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is ceasing the liturgical commemoration of Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus for recognizing the new uncanonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church officially resolved during an online meeting on Friday that the liturgical commemoration of the name of Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus in diptychs, as well as prayer and Eucharistic communion with him, is no longer possible. The same concerns joint prayer services with those hierarchs of the Church of Cyprus who maintain communion with the Ukrainian schismatics. 

( SVOTS ) - Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has begun rolling out a new logo to accompany new branding for the Seminary. “We are excited,” said SVOTS President Fr. Chad Hatfield. “There have been so many positive developments at St. Vladimir’s in recent years, and this new logo and branding reflect the encouraging direction our Seminary is moving in.” The new logo features an artistic recreation of the cross and cupola of the Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel and a new wordmark.  The cross and the image of the Chapel point not only to the Seminary’s Orthodox Christian confession and devotion to Christ, but also the centrality of chapel and prayer life in SVOTS’ training and formation of seminarians. The buildings/houses surrounding Three Hierarchs Chapel in the logo reflect the Seminary’s emphasis on residential life. Together, the Chapel and buildings also symbolize the Church at large, placed in the world within our neighborhoods and communities; the hous...

( Mitropolia ) - With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, from NOVEMBER 2020, the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas will carry out an EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM for at least 12 months, aimed at religious education of believers and in-depth understanding of the truths of the faith. This project is addressed to the faithful of the Metropolia and will take place exclusively in the virtual environment on EVERY THURSDAY of the MONTH, starting with 7.00 PM EDT (US East Coast time). I. On the FIRST THURSDAY of each month, starting with December 3, 2020, Fr. Dr. John Downie from St. Michael's Parish in Southbridge MA will hold a BIBLE STUDY program in ENGLISH, starting with the book of Revelation. Father John Downie obtained his doctorate in theology at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology "Justinian Patriarch" in Bucharest, Department of Biblical Studies, doctoral thesis entitled "The relationship between Father and Son in the Gospel according to St. John...

( SOC ) - The Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci and Serbian Patriarch (Gavrilovic) reposed in the Lord in the Military Covid Hospital "Karaburma" in Belgrade, on Friday, November 20, 2020, at 7:07 AM. All other details regarding the funeral of His Holiness the Patriarch will be announced soon. Eternal memory and the Kingdom of Heaven! On the occasion of the repose of the Serbian Patriarch Irinej of blessed memory, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church held a meeting at the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade on November 20, 2020 and made some decisions provided by the Constitution of the Serbian Orthodox Church in such situations. A decision was made that the Holy Synod of Bishops should take over the patriarchal responsibilities in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and that the Holy Synod should be chaired by the Metropolitan of Dabar-Bosnia Hrisostom until the election of a new Serbian Patriarc...

( SOC ) - In the morning of 19 November 2020 the general health condition of His  Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, has deteriorated as the consequence of COVID 19 The standing team of medical experts along with the physicians from the Russian Federation has examined His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej and analysed the results of laboratory testing executed this morning and concluded that the morning health deterioration is the consequence of COVID 19 infection and that the general health condition of His Holiness is complex, but stable. The public shall be further informed of the health condition of His Holiness. On behalf of the team of medical experts Colonel Ivo Udovičić, Assistant Professor Hospital Commander in Chief 

To get this straight: We can mark your death, but we'll deny you the promise of everlasting life. That seems fair.  Nov 16, 2020 / 10:30 am MT ( CNA ) - Police halted a baptism in a Baptist church in London on Sunday, citing the country’s coronavirus restrictions that include bans on weddings and baptisms. The restrictions have been criticized by the Catholic bishops of England and Wales. A pastor at The Angel Church in London’s Islington borough held a baptism with approximately 30 people in attendance, in violation of the country’s public health restrictions. Metropolitan police halted the baptism and stood guard outside the church to prevent anyone from entering, BBC News reported on Sunday. After the baptism was stopped, Pastor Regan King reportedly agreed to hold an outdoor gathering. According to the Evening Standard, 15 people remained inside the church while another 15 people gathered outside to pray. The original planned event was a baptism and an in-person service, the Ev...

( SOC ) - Within regular test procedures and after epidemiological assessment, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej was tested for SARS CoV2 with PCR test. His Holiness tested positive, yet asymptomatic and generally feeling well. His Holiness has been admitted to COVID hospital in Belgrade. 

( OCA ) - On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, the Standing Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, met via teleconference under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon.   In their meeting, the members of the Standing Synod considered the request that His Eminence Archbishop David of Sitka and Alaska made to His Beatitude to appoint an episcopal administrator for the Diocese of Alaska. His Eminence has made this request due to his serious health condition. With the concurrence of the Standing Synod, His Beatitude reiterated that His Eminence Archbishop David remains the ruling bishop of the Diocese of Alaska. Additionally, His Beatitude accepted the request of His Eminence Archbishop David and appointed His Grace Bishop Alexis of Bethesda as episcopal administrator of the Diocese of Alaska. His Eminence Archbishop David’s condition remains critical. He is residing at his daughter’s home in Hanover, Pennsylvania, while he receives treatment for cancer. Faithful are ...

( EA ) - Metropolitan Gregory, Secretary of the Assembly of Bishops, commented, “the new website reflects the revitalized energy of the Bishops, who meet regularly to address the concerns and needs of the Orthodox faithful in the U.S. We look forward to engaging the clergy and laity through the internet, and most especially – when it is again safe to do so – in person.” The launch signifies the culmination of a consultative process that included marketing, communications, IT and web experts, as well as theologians, lawyers, and graphic designers. The Assembly of Bishops extends its deep gratitude to all the volunteers who worked on the project, as well as the Department of Internet Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for its continued support.