Byzantine, Texas

H/T: Monomakhos PIEDMONT, Okla. ( Enid News ) — Prayers of the faithful, the words of Scripture and the fragrance of incense once again fill the sanctuary at the former St. Joseph monastery west of Edmond, now reopened as an Eastern Orthodox monastery. The former Roman Catholic monastery, which was built for the Discalced Carmelite nuns in 1985, had been closed and listed for sale, and was purchased earlier this year by monks under the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate of North America. It reopened on Thanksgiving Day as St. Iakovos “New Studion,” with Bishop Saba celebrating the Divine Liturgy and enthroning Archimandrite Athanasios as the monastery’s first abbot. The Georgians might be the least online jurisdiction in the US. I say that, but you can get some nice coffee from St. Nina's Monastery or set up a visit with them. My family did so recently and found the trip quite rewarding. The News & Eagle visited the new monastery on Dec. 20, for the celebration of the Divine Litur...

( Greek City Times ) His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, representing Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, received the coronavirus vaccine on Sunday. The Metropolitan of Nafpaktos is the first hierarch to be vaccinated against coronavirus in Greece. It is recalled a few days ago, Metropolitan Hierotheos in an interview emphasised that vaccines are responsible for the increase in life expectancy. “Vaccines boost the body’s immune system to fight off viruses. I have also been vaccinated, because otherwise I probably would not be alive and every year I get the flu vaccine. But I will also take the new vaccine after the approvals of the competent Organizations and the decision of the Holy Synod and the suggestions of my treating doctors.” Earlier on Sunday, Greek President Sakellaropoulou, Prime Minister Mitsotakis and professor of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Sotiris Tsiodras, were vaccinated. “This is an important day for all of...

( SOC ) - The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, at their meeting on December 24, 2020, decided to summon the Holy Assembly of Bishops for the election of the new first hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, to be held on February 18, 2021.

( Antiochian ) The Nativity icon tells the story of Christ's birth (PDF available here ), as found in the Scriptures and the Holy Tradition. Like most festal icons, the Nativity icon is not only a mere historical record of Christ's birth but also a reflection of the theological meaning of the feast. The feast's central theme is the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God, who emptied Himself of His divine glory and accepted a human flesh for the salvation of the world. The icon's focal point is the newborn Child, shown in a cave, lying in a manger. The Gospel records that when the time came for the Virgin Mary to give birth, she and Joseph were unable to find a room at an inn, and so Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger in a cave. The infant Christ is shown wrapped in white swaddling clothes, foreshadowing His death and His burial. The white swaddling clothes remind us of the white linen shroud that will wrap Jesus' body after His death on the cross, "And ...

( AGOC ) - The history of the Christmas tree goes back to St. Boniface of Germany (AD 675-754). Although the account below draws from Western sources, they are not contradictory to what has come down to us in our own Orthodox tradition regarding St. Boniface (who is commemorated in the Orthodox Church on June 5). The story of the Christmas tree is part of the story of the life of St. Boniface, whose name was originally Winfrid. St. Boniface was born about the year 680 in Devonshire, England. At the age of five, he wanted to become a monk and entered the monastery school near Exeter two years later. When he was 14, he entered the abbey of Nursling, in the Diocese of Winchester. Very studious himself, St. Boniface was the pupil of the learned abbot, Winbert. Later Boniface became the director of the school. At this time, much of northern and central Europe still had not been evangelized. St. Boniface decided he wanted to be a missionary to these people. After one brief attempt, he sought...

( archeveche.eu ) - Joint press release 4th December 2020 “The name of the Church is not a name of division, but of union and harmony. The Church came into existence not to be divided, but to be united.” Saint John Chrysostom On December 4, 2020, an agreement was signed which constitutes the culmination of an approach aimed at finding a peaceful outcome to the conflictual situation outlined below, and which was unanimously supported by Metropolitan Jean and the Council of the Archdiocese, and by Metropolitan Emmanuel and the parishes which, meeting in general assembly under his presidency, expressed themselves in this direction. The decision taken on November 27, 2018 by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to revoke the Patriarchal Charter (Tomos) which canonically linked to it the Archdiocese of the Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe, an ecclesial structure of “Union directrice diocésaine des associations orthodoxes russes en Europe oc...

The process whereby clergy are permitted to hear confessions varies quite a bit by jurisdiction. In some there is no special demarcation made - a priest ordained is a priest able to hear confessions. In others, an epigonation marks such an ability. And, as with all things Romanian, they do things their own way. ( Basilica ) - Patriarch Daniel of Romania invested seven priests from the Archdiocese of Bucharest with ‘the apostolic power’ to retain and remit sins during a special ceremony held at St George’s Chapel at the patriarchal residence on Thursday, December 10, 2020. “The Holy Apostles received from the Saviour Jesus Christ, on the day of His Resurrection, the Holy Spirit to forgive the sins of those who repent. Therefore, the power to retain and remit the sins of repentant people is an apostolic power. This power or responsibility, this holy work was then transmitted to the bishops who led the dioceses on the path of salvation, teaching the right faith, the right lifestyle and th...

NEW YORK ( EA ) – The Mental Health Task Force of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America accomplished its first major task by publishing a comprehensive and unified Directory of Orthodox Christian Mental Health Professionals. The Directory includes Eastern or Oriental Orthodox Christians verified to be in good sacramental standing by their parish priest or local bishop. The interactive directory allows users to search by zip code for Orthodox Christian mental health providers licensed to practice in their state. The directory offers useful details about each provider’s area of practice, as well as contact information. As an ever-growing directory, the Task Force invites mental health providers who are licensed to practice by their state and in good standing in their parishes to apply to be included in the Directory. The Assembly of Bishops recognizes the value of mental health services and encourages the clergy and faithful to seek help in times of n...

( Basilica ) - A new Orthodox colouring book for children is now available for free download. The ebook, available in PDF format , was published by the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Macarie. The colouring book includes icons of the Mother of God painted by iconographers Toma Chituc and Mihai Coman that embellish the Romanian churches in Northern Europe. “Our hope is that this project will be a good start for the new magazine dedicated to the little ones: Children’s vigil lamp (Candela copiilor)”. “The approach will include in the future other publishing activities, with the help of the Most Merciful God, whose gifts and blessings we pray to be poured out on the Church and on the whole world,” reads an announcement of the Diocese of Northern Europe.

( SOC ) - His Eminence Metropolitan Hrizostom of Dabar-Bosnia, Locum Tenens of the Serbian Church Patriarchal Throne, due to a positive result of testing for COVID-19, was admitted to the Clinical Hospital Center "Dr Dragisa Misovic" in Belgrade in the evening on December 4, 2020.

( Orthodox Times ) - On Sunday, December 6, 2020, on the day of the feast of St. Nicholas, Bishop Isichios of Markiani, Assistant Bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Mexico, was ordained. The ordination took place at the Church of Agia Sophia in Mexico City by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico and Exarch of Central America. Archbishop Alejo of Mexico (OCA Church) and Bishops Athinagoras of Myrina and Timotheos of Assos (Ecumenical Patriarchate) participated as well.

( ROCOR-Chicago ) -  With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Peter, the Diocese of Mid-America is pleased to offer a virtual conference for the youth this winter. While we are disappointed that we cannot all come together in person, we are grateful for this opportunity to meet virtually for uplifting fellowship and conversation. When: Monday, December 29th: 5pm-7pm CST / 6pm-8pm EST Tuesday, December 30th: 5pm-7pm CST / 6pm-8pm EST Speakers:  Archpriest John Johnson St. Thecla Orthodox Church Kensington, MD Deacon Nicholas Kotar Holy Trinity Seminary Jordanville, NY  https://nicholaskotar.com/  There will be a $25 registration fee. Registrants will receive a zoom link and further information before the conference. Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaxLz82-1VpHUkfKkCSqXqWNejMJJTdZgk88JQiLynsPrD5Q/viewform?usp=sf_link