Byzantine, Texas

( Antiochian.org ) - To our Beloved in the Lord, the Hierarchs, Priests, Deacons, Board of Trustees, and Faithful of our Antiochian Archdiocese of New York and All North America: We greet you warmly and prayerfully in Christ, asking the Lord to keep you safe. We inform you of our Decision No. 118, dated October 24, 2022, by which we appoint a Patriarchal Vicar for the Archdiocese of New York and All North America. We hope that you will cooperate with the Patriarchal Vicar for the welfare of the Archdiocese. We inform you that, from now on, the Patriarch of Antioch is commemorated in all divine services. With our prayers and Apostolic blessings. Balamand, 24 October 2022. +JOHN X Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Patriarchal decision (118) We, JOHN X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, based on the Basic Statute of the See of Antioch issued in 1972 and the provisions of the Internal Regulations of the See of Antioch issued in 1983, decide the following: Article 1:...

( Orthodox Times ) - The first National Clergy Synaxis went down in history as a momentous event in the life of the Orthodox Church of the fifth continent given that, through the inspired theological lectures and the ensuing constructive dialogue, it brought spiritual benefit and renewal to the reverend clergy, monastics and all those participating in the proceedings. The overall successful organization of the Synaxis concluded in a festive manner on Wednesday the 19th of October with the celebration of the peak liturgical event in the Orthodox Church, the Mystery of Mysteries. Specifically, at the sports hall of the College of St Spyridon, Sydney, in a joyful and festive atmosphere, a Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated, presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia and with concelebrants Metropolitan Andrew of the Forty Churches, the distinguished representative of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew; Metropolitan Ieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos; the Assistant Bishops ...

The recent post on the Antiochian House of Studies offering (and the offering itself) online classes towards a seminary education elicited a lot of conversation. So, I'm going to throw out a few thoughts of my own. When I was given a blessing to go to seminary, I did so with a job and children. As such, I took some classes online from an Orthodox seminary that offered a selection of their courses that way. The idea was that I would get a feel for the academic rigor of seminary classes and also lessen the course load when I went to seminary. I fully support this approach as it did provide both of those things. Additionally, I have often recommended the Antiochian's St. Stephen's Program  to men who say they are interested in major orders. In short, I'm not opposed to online education as a part of the seminary journey. It makes a lot of sense. When I went to seminary, I had a number of friends also in other seminaries at the same time. It's amazing how different all ...

( Antiochian.org ) - In addition to serving as chairman of the Temporary Operating Committee, His Grace Bishop John serves as editor of The WORD Magazine. He shares his editorial that is scheduled for the November's edition. Habits and routines save us time and allow us to function without thinking about all the little things that need to be accomplished before we can leave the house and start our day. These habits bring us a sense of security and allow us to put our attention toward the complex things that we deal with. We people like routine and good habits give us a sense of security. Sociologists tell college students that the world has changed more in their lifetime than in all the centuries before it. Add to a quickly changing world a pandemic and changes in our church administration, we could expect feelings of insecurity, anger, defensiveness, and unsettledness. The last place that we want or expect change is in our Orthodox Church where we claim a consistent witness to th...

( Orthodox History ) This paper was originally presented at the conference “The Greek Archdiocese at 100 Years,” Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, October 7, 2022. I am indebted to numerous friends and colleagues who reviewed the paper in advance and provided feedback. I am especially grateful to M., who provided original translations of the 1908 and 1922 documents, as well as to canonists Fr Patrick Viscuso and Fr John Erickson. Click here to view the original conference presentation (along with brief Q&A) on YouTube. The Origins of the ‘Barbarian Lands’ Theory The Greek Archdiocese of America and the Interpretation of Canon 28 of Chalcedon By Matthew Namee In 1924, the future Patriarch Christophoros of Alexandria, then Metropolitan of Leontopolis, published an article called “The Position of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Orthodox Church.”[1] Christophoros opens by explaining the reason for his study: “the tendency that the Ecumenical Patriarchate...

( Serbian Church ) - On 14 October 2022, on the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije has been enthroned to the most holy Throne of the Archbishops of Peć and Patriarchs of Serbia. His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije presided over the Holy Liturgy in the ancient monastery of the Patriarchate of Peć. At the end of the solemn service, according to the traditional akolouthia, His Holiness kyr Porfirije will be ceremonially enthroned on the most holy Throne of the Archbishops of Peć and Patriarchs of Serbia. On 14 October 2022, on the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, on the occasion of his enthronement, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije offered a sermon: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Brethren Hierarchs, presbyters, monks and nuns, faithful people of God. It is due to multiple reasons that we have gathered today in this centuries-old See of Serbian Archbishops...

Moscow, October 14 ( Interfax ) – The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church dismissed Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk from the post of patriarchal exarch of Western Europe, expressing gratitude to him for the hard work. According to website of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Nestor of Madrid and Lisbon has been appointed in place of Metropolitan Anthony (the head of the Synodal Department for External Church Relations) with the temporary preservation of the administration of the Spanish-Portuguese Diocese for him. In addition, Synod has appointed the vicar of the Diocese of Korsun (unites the parishes of Russian Orthodox Church in a number of Western European countries) Bishop Alexy of Kafa to Austria. 

 

( gazetadielli.com ) - Metropolitan Ilia (Katre) of Philomelion of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America passed away at the age of 85. The announcement was posted today by the Orthodox Observer News. “It is with deep sorrow and every hope in the Lord’s resurrection that His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America announces the sudden passing of Metropolitan Ilia (Katre) of Philomelion of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America,” the notification read. The Archbishop called his passing “a significant loss for Orthodoxy in America.” Although he was advanced in years, the remarkable bishop was highly involved and actively engaged with the Church. The sudden departure of Metropolitan Ilia comes at a critical time for the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Mark in Holy Trinity Church, South Boston and assigned to be pastor of that parish in 1962. Forty years later, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew proposed that a widowed Father Ili...

( Antiochian.org ) - A Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree from an Orthodox Theological School is the required educational qualification for ordination to the holy priesthood in our archdiocese. Now that the Antiochian House of Studies (AHOS) offers an accredited MDiv, we have received several questions about how this new degree program fits into our archdiocesan educational program. Therefore, we are providing the following guidance. As has been the longstanding policy of our archdiocese, all men who wish to study for an MDiv in preparation for ordination to the holy priesthood must apply for the blessing of the Metropolitan before applying to a theological school. If they are approved, the Metropolitan will bless them to apply to a school of his choice . Candidates do not normally indicate a preference of which school they wish to attend; rather, they obediently attend the program chosen by the Metropolitan. However, the distinctive features of the AHOS MDiv program argue for a slight ...

( Armenian Church ) - The Armenian Church calendar lists the following saints under the title “Holy Translators”: Sahag the Parthian, Mesrob Mashdots, Yeghishé, Movses the Grammarian, David the Invincible, Gregory of Nareg, and Nersess of Hromgla. The English word “translator” hardly does justice to the Armenian word tarkmanich. To our ances­tors the word tarkmanich had the meaning not only of translator, but also of commentator, narrator, writer, poet, rhetorician, historian, intellec­tual, and philosopher. For this reason, the group of saints labeled as Holy Translators includes the familiar names of Sahag and Mesrob, but also the names of a 5th-century historian, a 6th-century grammarian, a 6th-century philosopher, a 10th-century poet, and a 12th-century theo­logian. Sts. Sahag and Mesrob are considered major saints of the Armenian Church for of their efforts to spread spiritual and intellectual enlightenment throughout Armenia. Under the inspiration of God and the sponsorship of K...

( STOTS ) - On September 28th, St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary was blessed to have with us His Holiness Moran Mor Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan – the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. His Holiness was accompanied by His Grace Zachariah Mor Nicolovos, the Metropolitan of the North East American Diocese as well as other clergy. His Holiness was received by His Eminence Archbishop Michael, the Rector of our institution as well as the Dean of the Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. John Parker III and other faculty members. His Holiness' visit to St. Tikhon’s coincided with his first Apostolic Visit to North America following his installation as Catholicos. His Holiness greeted and addressed the entire student body. During his address, His Holiness reminded all those present of our vocation, the realities of working in the Lord’s vineyard in this current day, and how we are to serve God’s people. To celebrate t...

( Basilica.ro ) - During its working session last week, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church established a new Order of the Praying Theotokos (Virgin Orans). “This order is fundamental to highlighting the importance of prayer this year. The Mother of God is generally depicted with the Child on her left arm, near her heart, and with her right hand pointing Christ to the world and receiving His blessing,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel explained. The Patriarch of Romania noted that the representation of the Child on Virgin Mary’s right side should be avoided. The Mother of God holds the Child Jesus “on her left arm, as on a throne, and shows the Child Jesus to the world with her right hand; at the same time she prays to Him, and He blesses her.” “This is also the icon of the Church, which prays to Christ and lives from Christ’s blessing, because when He ascended into heaven, Christ blessed the disciples, and in iconography, the Mother of God also appears in the icon of the Asce...

( Antiochian.org ) - Your Grace, Bishop JOHN, Beloved Members of the Temporary Operating Committee, and the Members of the Board of Trustees, We embrace you and your families with our paternal love and Patriarchal greetings, offering our warm prayers for your protection. As you may know, the Holy Synod of Antioch will convene starting on Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, at the Patriarchal Residence, and under the protection of our Lady of Balamand. The Synod will dedicate part of its work to discuss the current developments in your God-protected Archdiocese, after the Retirement of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph Zehlaoui. Therefore, I, along with the Holy Synod Fathers, wish that you keep us in your prayers, as a new phase in the history of your noble Archdiocese begins, and which we hope it shall be blessed. On this occasion, I bring your attention that as soon as the Synod concludes its meeting, we will send you an official letter about the Synodal decision related to the Archdiocese...

( Orthodox Observer ) - TA NEA: Interview with Archbishop Elpidophoros (English Translation) Q: You took part in demonstrations over the murder of George Floyd, you supported the use of plastic spoons for Holy Communion, and you baptized the children of a gay couple. What kind of hierarch are you? What shaped you? A: I come from the heart of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the First Throne of the Church, where our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew taught us that at the center of the Christian faith is love and solidarity with all people and without exception. Without prejudice and without conditions, except in matters of faith. The Floyd protests, the issue of Holy Communion during the pandemic, and the baptism this past summer presented contemporary challenges to my everyday pastoral ministry. The question of the Church in every age should be how exactly it will embrace the world. Who do we invite to the great and holy banquet called the Church? And why are we afraid of progressing beyond...

( ROC ) - On September 20, His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, met at the Cathedral Church of Christ the Saviour with members of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church, which is holding its session in Russia. Among the participants in the meeting from the Russian Orthodox Church were Hieromonk Stephen (Igumnov), DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations, and S. G. Alferov, DECR, a member of the Commission. The meeting was co-chaired by Metropolitan Serapion of Los Angeles, Coptic Church, who attended the meeting online. Present at the meeting were Bishop Cyril, secretary of the Commission, dean of the Ss Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria Seminary; Hieromonk Dawoud El Antony, representative of the Coptic Church in Russia; Dr Anton Milad, Patriarchal adviser; Ms Barbara Soliman, head of the Patriarchal department for church projects; and Dr Iskhak Ibrahim Agban, general secretary of the Institute of Coptic Studies. ‘...

( Basilica.ro ) - The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church met under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace for a working session on Thursday, September 29, 2022. The main decisions of the Holy Synod are the following: A. The Holy Synod established the “Praying Theotokos” Order for hierarchs, clerics and laypeople; B. The enrollment conditions for the doctorate in Theology were reconfirmed; C. Several proposals of the Holy Synod’s Committee for pastoral, monastic and social issues regarding the Sacrament of Confession and spiritual guidance were approved: 1. Holy Confession is performed inside the church, in front of an icon of Christ the Saviour, so that the person who confesses has the most vivid awareness of the presence of God by their side and by the spiritual father during confession; 2. The spiritual father has first of all the duty to listen and then to ask delicately, to help the penitent to be as s...

( Antiochan.org ) – The Ancient Faith Ministries (AFM) Board of Directors has named Melinda Johnson the new CEO of the Orthodox media outreach operating Ancient Faith Radio, Ancient Faith Publishing, and related ventures. Johnson replaces AFM founder and CEO John Maddex, who will be retiring from the position on January 1, 2023. First hired as the AFM Director of Marketing, Johnson later served as the Communications Director of the ministry before being appointed to the CEO position earlier this year. She is an Orthodox Christian, khouria, mother, and the author of multiple children's books. Johnson earned an M.A. in English literature from The College of William and Mary and worked in a variety of nonprofit and for-profit settings before joining AFM. "The AFM Board is 100% behind Melinda as our incoming CEO. Her passion and enthusiasm for bringing the ancient Faith to the world is tangible and infections!" said Board Chairman Dn. Tom Braun. "We are excited to suppor...

I'm delighted - nay surprised - to see them pick someone who is not actively working against the Church and what it believes. Sadly, recent awardees have been such and some have even been so contrary to the faith that the Archons scrubbed them from their website.  ( Orthodox Times ) - Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is pleased to welcome Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and all Africa to the United States, where he will receive the 2022 Athenagoras Human Rights Award from the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarch in America, at their annual Banquet on Saturday, October 8, 2022. The Patriarch will be honored for his “tireless” defense of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and “determined advocacy for religious freedom.” He is also recognized for his extraordinary ministry in Africa. Following his arrival on October 5, Patriarch Theodore will visit New York City and Washington, DC. He is scheduled to meet with local religious leaders, includin...