His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has issued an encyclical on the Feast of Saint Photios, Patriarch of Constantinople. The encyclical reads:   Encyclical on the Feast of Saint Photios, Patriarch of Constantinople February 6, 2021 Prot. No. 34/2021 As a brilliant revelator of wisdom, you have been shown forth as the front-line defender of…

Reports this week revealed the ominous imposition of a massive fine imposed on a Chinese man for celebrating Christmas. According to the site christian-persecution.com, the shocking decision threatens all Christians in the world’s most populous country, including the tiny community of Orthodox Christians in China. The incident took place in a village in Lushan county,…

The budget of the Archdiocese of America for 2021 was approved this week, with the Archbishop of America, His Eminence Elpidophoros, expressed appreciation for the work done by all to accomplish the important task. He noted that “…In this year of personal and economic difficulties, it was especially hard to craft a balanced budget, while…

A Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the Feast of St. Photios, Patriarch of Constantinople, was held today at the Holy Trinity Monastery, on the small Marmara-sea island of Halki. St. Photios founded the Holy Trinity Monastery on the isle. Commemorations of the feast day were re-scheduled due to pandemic restrictions in Turkey during…

Concerns increased in Greece towards the end of the week amid a recent surge in the number of confirmed single-day instances of the Covid-19 virus, as well as the appearance of other, more menacing, strains of the coronavirus in the country. Several proposals are on the table for the imposition – as of Monday –…

The Church today venerates the memory of Agatha the Martyr. The holy Martyr Agatha is the protectress and chief patron of Sicily.   Apolytikion of Martyr Agatha Fourth Tone O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and…

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, condemned the attack committed by an Israeli extremist against the Romanian Orthodox Church, which his Beatitude described as a “sister church”, in Jerusalem yesterday. A statement issued today by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressed the condemnation. The statement also indicated that Israeli extremists’ attacks against churches…

The dome of the bell tower of the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos, the most emblematic church in Bulgaria’s seaside port city Varna has been gilded. The other domes are to be gilded as well. The gilding has been made possible thanks to a donor who wished to remain anonymous. The complete renovation…

The first wedding took place at St John’s Greek Orthodox Church at St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne, on Sunday, 20 November, 1898 Historical accounts and descriptions of early Greek-Australian events and ceremonies are by all indications a rarity. In contrast to today’s consumer society, the advancement of technology has made it easier to capture and…