On Monday, April 22, 2024, on the occasion of the visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to Turkey, Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, and Deacon Oikoumenios represented the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the reception held in honor of the said President at the Summer Residence of the German Embassy in Therapia. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, representing the President of the Turkish Government, Abdullah Gül, former President of the Republic of Turkey, Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of ..read more

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow once again commended Russian President Vladimir Putin. Addressing a conference titled “Partnership of the State and Society in the Task of Harmoniously Educating Responsible Individuals Based on Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values,” the Patriarch emphasized Putin’s role in making Russia a stronghold of spiritual values. This is not the first time that the head of the Russian Orthodox Church has aligned himself with the decisions of the Russian president. Furthermore, his steadfast support for the Kremlin’s rhetoric throughout the more than two years of the ..read more

During its regular meeting on April 22, 2024, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Patriarchate convened in full assembly to compile a list of candidates for the election in the Metropolis of Sliven. In accordance with Article 85, paragraph 1 of the Charter, the following list of eligible bishops has been determined as candidates for the election in the Metropolis of Sliven: Bishop Sioni of Velichka Bishop Arsenius of Znepol Bishop Gerasim of Melnysh Bishop Pachomius of Branitsa Bishop Macarius of Glavinitsa Bishop Isaac of Velbazhd ..read more

In a brief announcement, the Patriarchate of Bulgaria conveyed the decision made by the Holy Synod regarding the sending of a delegation to Jerusalem for the transfer of the Holy Fire to Bulgaria for Holy Pascha. The decision, which was issued due to the ongoing hostilities in Israel, stated that the Holy Synod opted not to dispatch a delegation to Israel and the Holy City of Jerusalem this year for the transfer of the Holy Fire to Bulgaria ..read more

Ahead of ANZAC Day (April 25), a National Day of Remembrance in Australia, as well as in New Zealand, St Spyridon’s Parish in Kingsford, Sydney commemorated the men and women of the Corps who fought and sacrificed for worthy ideals during World War I and World War II, and in other missions over the past century and more. At this commemoration event, which in recent years has been established as an annual event in the Parish of Saint Spyridon, last Sunday, 21 April 2024, after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a Memorial Service was held for the repose of the souls of the heroic ANZACs, whi ..read more

On Saturday, 20th April 2024, George Tsiappourdhi was ordained to the Holy Diaconate at the Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Luke in Birmingham. Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain presided over Matins and concelebrated the Divine Liturgy. Among those concelebrating was the Archimandrite Christodoulos Kokliotis, the Protopresbyter Christos Stephanou, Priest-in-Charge, the Protopresbyter John Nankivell, the Protopresbyter John Hookway, the Hieromonk Bartholomew, the Protopresbyter Theodoros Polyviou, Oeconomos Aimilianos Epaminonda, Oeconomos Nikolaos Karafylides, the Presbyter ..read more

By Dr. Serhii Shumylo Orthodox Times presents a detailed historical and theological analysis of the recent infamous “Edict” by the World Russian People’s Council by Dr. Serhii Shumylo. Dr. Serhii Shumylo holds a Ph.D. in History, and a degree of Doctor of Theology (ThDr.), He is the Director of the International Institute of the Athonite Legacy, visiting research fellow in the Department of Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology, University of Exeter (UK), and research fellow of the Institute of History of Ukraine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Part 1: “Edict” One of ..read more

Tamar Beruchashvili, Georgia’s Ambassador to Bucharest, visited the Library of the Holy Synod at St Anthimos Monastery on Thursday, April 18. Consul David Chachava accompanied the Georgian Ambassador. Archimandrite Policarp Chitulescu, the Library of the Holy Synod director, welcomed the Georgian officials. The purpose of the visit was to coordinate a film screening concerning the life and accomplishments of Holy Hieromartyr Anthimos the Iberian, scheduled to commence at 17:00 on Wednesday, April 24, at the Library of the Holy Synod. Strategies were also discussed to establish a joint activity ..read more

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had an official meeting on Monday morning, April 22, 2024, with the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, who received him with great respect and due honors at the Élysée Palace. The talks, which lasted more than an hour, took place in a cordial atmosphere and focused on the initiatives of the Ecumenical Throne as well as on current events. In particular, President Macron showed particular interest in the developments in the Orthodox Church due to the ongoing armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He congratulated the Ecumenical Patria ..read more

With the blessing of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos together with clergy and faithful from neighboring communities gathered in the venerable Saint Paraskevi Church in Greenlawn, New York to offer the last Contrition Vespers for Great and Holy Lent. This solemn occasion marks the culmination of weeks of introspection, prayer, and repentance. The community of Saint Paraskevi warmly welcomed their fellow stewards, extending their Christ-centered hospitality to all in attendance. Throughout Great Lent, the ancient hymns of Sunday Contrition Vespers were beautif ..read more