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Old July 14th, 2020 #61
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Primate of Orthodox Church of Antioch meets with representative of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to Patriarchal See of Antioch



9 July 2020 - 14:25







On 8 July 2020, His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Great Antioch and All the East, met with Hegumen Arseniy (Sokolov), representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarchal See of Antioch, at the Patriarchate of Antioch located in the old part of Damascus.

In the beginning of their long talk, His Beatitude thanked the Russian Orthodox Church and its Primate, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, for fraternal support given to the Orthodox Church of Antioch at a time so hard for it and for all the Syrian people. At present, with the help of the Russian Orthodox Church, two ruined churches and an Orthodox school near the Syrian capital city are being restored.

Then His Beatitude John X and Hegumen Arseniy discussed details of further help that could be rendered to the Syrian Orthodox Christians by the Russian Orthodox Church.

They also talked about the cooperation between the two sister Orthodox Churches in church education. His Beatitude expressed deep appreciation to the Russian Orthodox Church and its Primate and to the rector of the Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post Graduate Studies, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, and to the rector of St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Bishop Siluan of Petergof, for giving Syrian students an opportunity to be trained at such authoritative educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church. On his part, Father Arseniy expressed the hope that the training of Russian students at the Theological School at the University of Balamand will be continued as well. His Beatitude John X assured him that the door of this higher education school would be always open to
Russian Orthodox students and already in the coming academic year the University of Balamand would be ready to enrol two or three students from Russia or other countries in the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church if the epidemiological situation in the Lebanese Republic will be favourable and if the air traffic between Russia and Lebanon will be resumed.

Present at the meeting was also Bishop Ephrem of Seleucia, secretary of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Antioch.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5663265.html






Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: Decision of the Turkish authorities looks like a conscious aggravation of interreligious relations



10 July 2020 - 20:25







Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relations, gives comments to RIA-Novosti about the decision made by Turkey’s Council of State on 10 July 2020 to change the status of Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul.



– What do the decision of Turkey’s Council of State and Erdogan’s decree on the status of Sophia mean?

– The Council of State of Turkey has repealed the 1934 Decision of the Turkish Government on the status of the Hagia Sophia Museum. On this basis, the president of Turkey has placed the edifice under the jurisdiction of Turkey’s Department for Religious Affairs for organizing services in it. Hagia Sophia has become a mosque again just as it was in the Ottoman era.

– What can account for this decision? Is there a shortage of mosques in Turkey?

– The decision is accounted for by the internal political realities of the country, in the first place, by the demands of the most radical part of the Muslims. To all appearances, for the present leaders of Turkey they are more important than the world public opinion and the attitude of the Local Orthodox Churches or, say, the negative reaction of UNESCO.

– Are some compromise decisions possible and what are they (perhaps, to divide the edifice for a parallel use by Moslems by Fridays and Christians by Sundays)?

– I do not know of examples of such compromises and I do not think they would be possible or appropriate in the given situation.

– How will this decision affect the relations with Turkey and pilgrimage and tourism?

– It will certainly complicate them? For Orthodox Christians, Sophia of Constantinople remains a shrine of world significance, and its return to the status of mosque will be taken negatively by many people, including in our country. I would not like to make harsh assessments but such a decision looks like a conscious aggravation of interreligious relation both in Turkey and throughout the world. I am not the one who assigns those responsible; they will be assigns by history.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5661594.html






Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: Decision to transform Hagia Sophia into a mosque is a blow to the entire world Orthodoxy



10 July 2020 - 21:51







The decision made on 10 July 2020 by the Turkish authorities to deprive Hagia Sophia of the status of museum and to transform it into a mosque was commented on by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, in his interview to Russia 24 TV news.



– To what extent the decision of the Turkish Council of State on the status of Hagia Sophia was expected?

– It was expected because it had been announced on several occasions. But we still hoped to the last moment that the Turkish authorities would reconsider this draft decision and it is with great regret and deep pain that we take in its adoption today.

It is a blow to the world Orthodoxy because for all the Orthodox Christians throughout the world this Agia Sophia Church is the same symbol as is St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome for the Catholics. This church was built in the 6th century and dedicated to Christ the Saviour, and for us it remains a church dedicated to the Saviour. And for this reason we take in the decision made today with a great regret.

– Do you think it can make an impact on Turkey’s relations with the Christian world?

– I think the adopted decision will undoubtedly make an impact on the relationships of this country with the Christian world because we have repeatedly heard, even in the very last days, the voices of Christian leaders who called upon the Turkish authorities to stop. There was a statement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia reminding how much this church means for the Russian Orthodox Church. It was during a worship service in Hagia Sophia that Prince Vladimir’s envoys felt that they did not know where they were – in heaven or on earth. Upon their return to Kiev they told Prince Vladimir what they had seen and heard. So, the historic choice made by Vladimir is directly linked to his envoy’s visit to Hagia Sophia. It can be said that the adoption of Christianity by Rus’, which predetermined her entire history, is linked with this very church and it is an important symbol for us.

In Hagia Sophia, there are fragments of old mosaics that have miraculously survived and certainly many people are asking what will happen to them. As is known, when this church was turned into a mosque for the first time, most of the mosaic images were battered off by hammers and only a small part of them have survived under the plaster. Then what will happen to these mosaics – will they be battered off or painted out by plaster or somehow hidden from the eyes of the Muslims who will pray near them? These and many other questions are asked now by Orthodox Christians throughout the world.

– Do you think in the current situation some compromise may be retained on the status of Hagia Sophia? Perhaps an agreement can be achieved to preserve the museum while holding services on certain days like in a mosque…

– It seems to me that the Turkish authorities have done everything to show that they do not wish to make any compromise; they do not want to hear the voices coming from outside. There have been repeated statements that the status of Hagia Sophia is Turkey’s internal affair and the country herself decides what is to be done with this church. Therefore, it is evident now that Turkey has refused to make a compromise, refused to hear the voices of Christian leaders and political figures who appealed not to make this step. As is known, following the statement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, an appeal was made by the State Duma of the Russian Federation, but it was ignored as well.

Now some parachurch mass media in Ukraine and in Russia have come up with the idea that through this decision of the Turkish authorities, God has punished Patriarch Bartholomew for the schism in the world Orthodoxy. I cannot agree with it in any way because the blow is struck not on Patriarch Bartholomew, not on the Church of Constantinople but on the whole world Orthodoxy and on entire Christianity.

– It is not quite clear what has provoked such a stubbornness of the Turkish authorities who refuse to hear what is talked about in the world…

– Perhaps it should be mentioned here that there exist in Turkey a radical Islamism that makes an increasingly considerable influence on the policy of this state. When in 1934 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk decided to give Hagia Sophia the status of museum, his aim was to turn Turkey into a secular state and the status of Hagia Sophia as museum became the symbol of it.

Today’s decision is undoubtedly influenced by radical Islamists who are gathering strength in today’s Turkey. I believe we should not enter into discussion concerning the internal situation in this country, but it is clear that today’s decision will also adversely affect the attitude of our people to the Turkish people and the interreligious relations.

– Will the Russian Orthodox Church initiate a discussion on this problem with all the Local Orthodox Churches as well as with the Turkish authorities?

– I think the statement made by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill speaks eloquently enough about the position of the Russian Orthodox Church.

For already quite a number of yours, we have held dialogue with the Turkey’s Department for Religious Affairs and Hagia Sophia church has been placed now under the jurisdiction of precisely this department. Certainly, we will pose our questions in the dialogue with the Turkish Department for Religious Affairs but judging by the atmosphere in which today’s decision was made and in which it was drafted, judging by the statements made at that, the Turkish authorities are not ready for dialogue and are not feel like holding it.

Of course, we will continue the attempts to bring Hagia Sophia back to the status it had in the last decades. This neutral status more or less suited everybody as a certain compromise, and the fact that the compromise now has been upset is seen as a return to the time of the Middle Ages, as a reminder of the disasters experienced by Orthodox peoples under the Turkish dominion.

I will repeat once again: in the Orthodox and generally Christian world this decision of the Turkish authorities is taken with great sorrow.

– The situation with Hagia Sophia Church is a religious problem of course, but there is an impression that it is also a political one…

– It is obviously a political problem because the point is a decision of the Turkish authorities that is aimed in the first place at the population of Turkey. But it is sad that the position of other states and opinions of political leaders have been ignored, that a wound has been inflicted on the Christian-Muslim relations, which again provokes concern for the future of Hagia Sophia church. For instance, we know that all kinds of images are prohibited in mosques. Then what will happen to the priceless mosaics that have survived in it? They depict the Lord Jesus Christ, the Most Holy Mother of God, John the Baptist and also images of some representatives of the Byzantine history. What will be done with all this? Will the access to these mosaics continue; will they be open for visitors? Will they survive at all?

For us Hagia Sophia remains and will remain a church. And the fact that it has again been turned into a mosque is a very sad event.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5661627.html






Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk calls transformation of Hagia Sophia into mosque ‘a slap in the face of the entire Christianity’



11 July 2020 - 13:36







The transformation of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul into a mosque is ‘a slap in the face of the world Christianity’, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR), stated to TASS Russian state news agency.

‘The internal political situation in Turkey and the factors that have prompted the Turkish leaders to make such a decision can be given different assessments. But the spiritual and cultural heritage of the whole world should not become a hostage to a current political situation. It is too bad that a political expediency has come out on top of the respect for other religious traditions. The transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque is the Turkish leaders’ slap in the face of the Orthodox Church and the whole world Christianity’, His Eminence said to the agency.

Earlier, Turkey’s Council of State repealed the Turkish Government resolution to assign Hagia Sophia in Istanbul the status of museum. It was reported on Friday by the CNN Turk news channel. The Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan signed a decree that allows Muslims to pray at Hagia Sophia which now has the status of mosque.

Metropolitan Hilarion noted that such a decision of the Turkish state leadership cannot but causes disappointment. ‘Hagia Sophia was built as a church dedicated to Jesus Christ, and we, Orthodox Christians, cannot see it in a different way. Since 1934 to this day, Hagia Sophia has had the status of museum, which gave both Christians and Muslims and people of other religions an opportunity to come to it without difficulty <…> For Orthodox Christians Hagia Sophia is the same as for Catholics is the St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome. This church is a symbol and one of the greatest Christian shrines’, he added stressing that Christians cannot and will not see it otherwise.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5663277.html






Statement of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on the developments in Montenegro



13 July 2020 - 16:10







On 13 July 2020, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church has made a statement appealing the civil authorities of Montenegro to repeal the discriminative law that brings division and schism into the Montenegrin society, to stop the persecution against the Orthodox Church and drop the attempts to create in her place some other church structure.



With pain I have heard about the developments in Montenegro where large-scale and purposeful persecution is carried out against the canonical Orthodox Church. Half a year earlier, a discriminatory law was adopted aimed to nationalize the church property, in the first place, churches and monasteries. There are voiced promises to create an ‘autocephalous church’ with the participation of local schismatics.

The pressure on the faithful is steadily growing. Their thousands-strong actions show that they no longer can and want to bear it. Disrespect for the holy orders and public humiliation of the clergy by officials have become a norm. And it is in a country that owes its emergence as a state to the Church, which, in her history, experienced a centuries-long period when the metropolitan was the bearer of not only ecclesial but also secular power! Detentions and interrogations have become an everyday reality for episcopate, clergy and laity. Some of them had to endure confinement in police torture chambers while others have had to leave the country urgently by order of the authorities.

People do not hide that the fate of the Church and her property is the most important issue for them. It is above any laws and decrees. Hundreds of doctors and the military, teachers and lawyers speak out in support of the Church. Each of them is facing discrimination. But no one turns off the road of confession.

I call upon the civil authorities of Montenegro to repeal the discriminatory law that has brought division and schism into the Montenegrin society, to put an end to the persecution against the Orthodox Church, to stop the attempts to create in her place some other church structure. The ruler of a secular state cannot create a Church. There is no and can be no consideration that would justify the encroachment of the state upon the national shrines safeguarded by the Church.

The bitter fruits of such a policy can be seen in Ukraine where the attempt to ‘unite the people’ through the establishment of a new ‘local church’ has failed. This adventure has only deepened the schism and brought suffering to millions of Orthodox Ukrainians. It is no wonder that it has put an end to the political carrier of the author of this project.

My ardent prayers go to the Orthodox hierarchy and clergy of Montenegro, to its pious people who are tied with the people of Rus’ by centuries-old bonds of unity in the faith. Nobody can shake this unity and no persecution will be able to break down the people’s firm will to defend Holy Orthodoxy. I know that our brothers from this glorious country remember the words of Christ the Saviour which strengthened the hearts of their heroic ancestors and which today are addressed to them themselves: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (Jn. 16:33).




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5662894.html






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Patriarchal service on the day of the memory of Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril in the Alexander Nevsky Monastery (May 24, 2020)




























Patriarchal service on the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Alexander Nevsky Monastery (May 22, 2020)
















Patriarchal service in the fifth week after Easter (May 17, 2020)



[Sunday service of the Fifth Week and the services of a number of the following weekly days are devoted to the gospel conversation of the Lord Jesus Christ with a Samaritan woman.]
















Brief requiem service for Patriarch Sergius (May 15, 2020)



[On May 15, 2020, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill performed a memorial service for the ever-memorable Patriarch Sergius (Stragorodsky) on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of his death.]













Patriarchal service in the third week after Easter (May 3, 2020)



[This week, the Church remembers women who came in the morning on the first day after Saturday to the Tomb of the risen Jesus Christ, with aromas and incense for the ritual anointing of the body and the secret disciples of Christ - the righteous Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.]





















__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old July 18th, 2020 #62
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Patriarch of Antioch meets with representative of Russian Orthodox Church and ambassador of Russian Federation



14 July 2020 - 11:40







On 12 July 2020, His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Great Antioch and All the East, met with the representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarchal See of Antioch, Hegumen Arseniy (Sokolov), and Mr. A. V. Yefimov, Russia’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Syria.

The meeting took place at the Patriarchate of Antioch located in the historic center of Damascus. Earlier, on July 8, His Beatitude also had a talk with Hegumen Arseniy (Sokolov).

His Beatitude Patriarch John X expressed profound gratitude to the Russian Orthodox Church, its Primate – Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the Russian people and state for their continued invariable support for the Orthodox Church of Antioch as it, together with all the Syrian people, has found itself in a disastrous situation as a result of the prolonged and exhausting war with the world terrorism and is struggling today in the situation of an international economic blockade, to restore from ruins its churches, houses and schools.

During their long talk, the sides discussed matters of mutual concern.

Hegumen Arseniy conveyed to His Beatitude a letter from the head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk.

They were joined in their talk by Patriarch John’s vicar bishops, staff members of the Russian embassy and other officials.

They continued their communication at a fraternal dinner.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5663553.html






Liturgy for Russian-speaking parishioners is celebrated at the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre after the easing of quarantine restrictions



15 July 2020 - 13:35







On 14 July 2020, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the church-museum of St. Nicholas in Demre, Turkey. Moleben with akathist to St. Nicholas of Myra in Lycia followed.

Rev. Georgy Sergeyev, who cares for the Russian-speaking believers in the Republic of Turkey, officiated at the divine service, the first after the easing of COWID-19 quarantine restrictions.

Prayers for the unity of the Orthodox Church, its keeping from heresies and schisms, for reducing of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, for peace in Ukraine and for good neighbor relations between Russia and Turkey were offered up.

Attending the service were pilgrims from the Society of Russian-speaking Orthodox believers of Antalya and believers from Belarus and Ukraine vacationing in the region.

After the liturgy Fr. Georgy expressed gratitude to the local authorities and to the Russian Art and Culture Society in Antalya for their assistance with arranging the service.

Litiya was celebrated at the monument to the Hero of Russia Andrei Karlov, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Turkey assassinated by a terrorist in December 2016, Patriarchia.ru reports.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5664206.html






Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: For the Orthodox Church, Hagia Sophia church is the same as St. Peter’s Cathedral for the Catholics



17 July 2020 - 12:38







Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, at a request of Associated Press, makes comments on the decision of the Turkish authorities to change the status of Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul.

‘It is with deep regret that we have taken today’s decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque. This church was built in the 7th century and was dedicated to Christ the Saviour. For us it was, is and always will be a church dedicated to Christ, and we sincerely regret that this decision has been adopted now. From our point of view, this decision violates the fragile interreligious and inter-confession balance that has been achieved in today’s world; it is a blow to the entire world Orthodoxy.

I think that the Turkish leaders did realize what impression this decision would make on the whole Orthodox world, but the reaction of Orthodox people has been ignored. For the Orthodox Church Hagia Sophia is the same as St. Peter’s Cathedral is for the Catholics’.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5664406.html






Statement of Russian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod concerning decision of Turkish authorities to change status of Hagia Sophia



17 July 2020 - 13:20







At its session held on July 16-17, 2020, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church adopted a statement concerning the decision of Turkey’s authorities to change the status of Hagia Sophia. The text of the statement is given below.



The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church expresses its profound regret over the decision of the state leadership of Turkey to revoke the museum status of Hagia Sophia and to give it to the Muslim community for public worship.

The decision was taken with no regard for the petitions and explicit position of the Primates and hierarchs of the Orthodox Local Churches, representatives of foreign states, numerous international non-governmental and human rights organisations, and clerics of various confessions and religious traditions. It has hurt religious feelings of millions of Christians all over the world, which can cause disturbance of interfaith balance and impair mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims both in and beyond Turkey.

At a time when Christianity is being persecuted in many places on the planet and the exodus of Christians from the countries of the Middle East continues, this decision of the Turkish authorities inflicts particular pain. Hagia Sophia was built in honour of Christ the Saviour, remaining a church in the consciousness of millions of Christians. And to the Orthodox Church this cathedral is of special historical and spiritual importance.

Appealing to the brotherly Local Churches, we note with great sadness that this dismal event has found the Orthodox world divided, as a direct consequence of the uncanonical legalisation of the schism in Ukraine, which weakened our ability to oppose together new spiritual threats and civilisational challenges. Now, at a time of growing Christianophobia and increasing pressure on the Church from the secular society, unity is needed more than ever. We call upon the brotherly Local Churches to work together in the spirit of peace and love in Christ in order to seek ways to overcome the crisis.

We hope that the Turkish authorities will take necessary steps to preserve the priceless Christian mosaics which have miraculously survived to this day and will ensure access to them for Christian pilgrims.

Expressing our hope for further promotion and strengthening of mutual respect and understanding between believers of various world religions, we also call upon the world community to render all possible assistance in maintaining the special status of Hagia Sophia, which is of timeless importance to all Christians.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5664223.html






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Patriarchal service on Radonitsa Day (April 28, 2020)


[This is a special day when prayer for the dead is resumed, because during the week of Easter such prayers are not made.]

























Patriarchal service on Great Saturday (April 18, 2020)


[This day precedes Easter and it is dedicated to the memory of the burial and stay in the tomb of the body of Jesus Christ and the descent of Christ into hell.]

























Patriarchal service on the eve of Great Saturday (April 17, 2020)



















Patriarchal service on Great Friday (April 17, 2020)


[It is a day of remembrance of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ.]






























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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
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(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old July 19th, 2020 #63
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Patriarchal service on the day of memory of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius (July 18, 2020)










































































































































__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old July 19th, 2020 #64
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Patriarchal service on the day of remembrance of the apostles Peter and Paul in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (July 12, 2020)










































































































































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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old July 21st, 2020 #65
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Patriarchal service on the eve of the feast of the Annunciation in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (April 6, 2020)





































































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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old July 21st, 2020 #66
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Patriarchal service on the feast of the Annunciation in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (April 7, 2020) - Part I














































































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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
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Old July 21st, 2020 #67
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Patriarchal service on the feast of the Annunciation in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (April 7, 2020) - Part II














































































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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
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Old July 24th, 2020 #68
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Meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church



17 July 2020 - 13:00







On July 16-17, 2020, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church met under the chairmanship of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Considering the epidemiological situation in countries where a number of the Synod members are serving, the meeting was held in a distant form.

The draft minutes had been sent in advance to the Holy Synod members and were adopted after a discussion held in the distant form.

The meeting of the Holy Synod in the face-to-face form had been preliminarily planned for August 2020. The final decision on its conduct will be made taking into account the epidemiological situation.

The permanent members of the Holy Synod are Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine; Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna; Metropolitan Vladimir of Kishinev and All Moldova; Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, head of the Metropolitanate in the Republic of Kazakhstan; Metropolitan Vikenty of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, head of the Metropolitanate of Central Asia; Metropolitan Varsonofy of St. Petersburg and Ladoga; Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavsk, Patriarchal Exarch for All Belarus; Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relations; Metropolitan Dionisiy of Voskresensk, chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate.

The following hierarchs have been invited to attend the summer session (March-August): Metropolitan Maksimilian of Irkutsk and Angarsk; Archbishop Tikhon of Podolsk; Bishop Antoniy of Akhtubinsk and Yenotayevka; Bishop Yevgeniy of Nizhniy Taghil and Nevyansk.

Minutes of the 16-17 July 2020 Session of the Holy Synod.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5666784.html






Moleben celebrated at construction site of first Russian church in Portugal



20 July 2020 - 18:29







On 20th July 2020, to conclude his visit to Portugal, Metropolitan Antony of Chersonesus and Western Europe, Patriarchal Exarch for Western Europe, visited the town of Cascais.

Together with Archbishop Nestor of Madrid and Lisbon he inspected a plot of land that had been purchased earlier by the Parish of St. John Chrysostom for the purpose of building a church there.

Hegumen Peter (Prutyanu), cleric of the parish, showed to the hierarchs a design of the future church complex and told about the steps being taken to obtain the approval of the town authorities for the construction.

Metropolitan Antony celebrated a Moleben Before the Beginning of a Good Work and wished the workers God’s help in building the first Russian church in the Portuguese land, website of the diocese of Chersonesus reports.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5667871.html






Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: We hope that the Turkish authorities will keep their promise to preserve the Hagia Sophia mosaics



21 July 2020 - 12:16







On 18 July 2020, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate for external church relations, answered questions from Ekaterina Gracheva, presenter of the Tserkov i Mir talk show broadcast by the Russia 24 TV channel.



E. Gracheva:

Good day! I am Ekaterina Gracheva. It is Tserkov i Mir talk show at Russia-24. We are talking with Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, about the major topics of this week in Russia and in the world. Good day, Your Eminence!



Metropolitan Hilarion:

Good day, Ekaterina! Good day, dear brothers and sisters!



E. Gracheva:

Without exaggeration, the main news is the developments around Hagia Sophia church in Turkey. President of the Russian Federation Putin had a telephone talk with Turkey’s leader Erdogan. In this talk, Erdogan assured him that the Christian mosaics will not be touched and access to the church will be open for all Christians. I have a question: why it is Erdogan of all the world leaders who decided to talk about it precisely with Putin?



Metropolitan Hilarion:

First, as far as it can be judged from the official report about the talk, which took place about Hagia Sophia, the topic of Hagia Sophia was not raised by Erdogan, but by Putin. I think that it testifies to the concern existing in Russia not only on the level of the Church, but also on the level of the state over the decision adopted by the Turkish authorities. The point is that for millions of Orthodox Christians throughout the world, Hagia Sophia church was and will remain a church. In this case, the Turkish authorities have ignored the will of the Christian world and have taken as a basis the opinion prevalent in the Turkish Muslim community.

Certainly, this event has been perceived throughout the Christian world as another blow dealt on Christianity amidst the persecutions to which Christianity is subjected in various parts of the world, including the Middle East and North Africa. After our Patriarch made a statement, the Russian Federation State Duma made a statement; the Russian Federation president, too, touched upon this topic in his talk with Turkish President Erdogan and shared the concern caused by this decision in the Christian world.



E. Gracheva:

News agencies report that in this talk with Putin, Erdogan guaranteed that the legendary ages-old Christian mosaics would not be stroked off or painted over but only darkened during Muslin prayers. Thus, it is a certain compromise. Interestingly, Erdogan did not give any such guarantees to religious leaders but he has given them to Putin. Therefore, if Putin had not raised this theme in the talk, the fate of the mosaics would have been obscure.



Metropolitan Hilarion:

I hope that President Erdogan respects President Putin and will not simply gnore his opinion. I hope that the talk will also influence the decision on the fate of the Christian symbols and these priceless mosaics, which have survived by a miracle.

You certainly know that when Constantinople fell to the Turkish onslaught and when the church was converted into a mosque for the first time, almost all the mosaic adornment in it was destroyed; it was just hammered off, while where it was covered by plaster perhaps because of a lack of time for hammering or for some other reasons, it has survived but not for preservation at all. It was painted over purportedly to be never seen by anyone. Nevertheless, the mosaics have survived by a miracle, and there are artistically priceless mosaics and for all the Christians it is the greatest shrine.

For us, Orthodox Christians, the church of Hagia Sophia of Constantinople is the same as St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome for the Catholics. Therefore, it is with a great grief that we take in the decision made and the fact and in the political world, almost nobody except for President Putin has responded to this development. Nevertheless, we hope that the promises given by Erdogan to Putin will be kept and the mosaics will be preserved. As for darkening or curtaining them during Muslim services, I hope the new masters of this church themselves will sort it out. What is the most important thing for us is that the Christian heritage should be preserved, that access to it should be preserved and that despite the conversion of a church into a mosque, not for the first time though, Christians should have access to this church and the surviving shrines.



E. Gracheva:

In both Russia and Ukraine, Orthodox publicists partial to this development have actively spoken out about it. For instance, there is an opinion that through this event God has punished Patriarch Bartholomew for the Ukrainian schism, while the SINFO vice-chairman Alexander Shchipkov believes that the Ecumenical Patriarch alone is guilty of the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Is it the official position of the whole Russian Orthodox Church or you have a different opinion?



Metropolitan Hilarion:

I cannot agree with that. The official position of the Russian Orthodox Church has been recently expressed on many occasions: in the statement of His Holiness the Patriarch and in the statement of the Holy Synod, and in my repeated addresses, including in our talk show. Generally, the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate is the body empowered to express the position of the Russian Orthodox Church on external affairs.

Of course, we cannot blame Patriarch Bartholomew for failing to keep the Turkish authorities from making this decision because we know that in many other cases the Turkish authorities do not pay any attention to his position and his opinion. But it is a fact that Orthodoxy has come to face this sad event being weakened. Regrettably, the division, which happened because Patriarch Bartholomew recognized the Ukrainian schismatics, has not benefitted the Orthodox Church – now it is already obvious to all.

However, both journalists and historians draw parallels recalling the year 1453 when a few years earlier the Patriarch of Constantinople signed unia with Rome. In other Churches, this unia was not recognized; it was not recognized in the Russian Church. Later Constantinople fell and Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. Now some critics and publicists draw a parallel with those events and say that last year the Ukrainian schism was legalized and this year Hagia Sophia is converted into a mosque, linking that story with the present one. But, I will repeat, these statements do not correspond with the position of the Russian Orthodox Church.



E. Gracheva:

Now let us move to the development in Montenegro. Patriarch Kirill has called the Montenegrin authorities to stop the persecutions against the Serbian Church, while making this appeal not for the first time and stressing that a secular ruler cannon create a Church. What weight Patriarch Kirill’s word has in Montenegro?



Metropolitan Hilarion:

In Montenegro, a conflict between state and church has been going on for many months now. It is very similar to what happened in Ukraine under President Poroshenko, when he stated that independent Ukraine should have the independent church; he supported the schismatics and managed to get Patriarch Bartholomew’s support. We know only too well what the legalization of the schism has led to: it has split the Orthodox Church and put finish to the political carrier of the initiator of this shady enterprise, Mr. Poroshenko.

What is going on the Montenegro is about the same because there is a schism: there is a small schismatic group that calls itself the Montenegrin Orthodox Church and the canonical Church to which an absolute majority of the Orthodox faithful belong. President Djukanovic, who is neither a believer nor, as far as we know, a baptized man, has decided to create in Montenegro its own church separate from the Serbian Orthodox Church. By right or wrong he is seeking to incline the canonical Church to this decision, but the canonical Church, as was the case in Ukraine, does not accept such shady enterprise, which is quite natural. To speed up this process and to score points in the pre-election struggle – the elections in Montenegro are due in the end of August – Mr. Djukanovic has initiated the adoption of a law that has provoked many disputes and has been negatively assessed by the so-called Venice Commission and has been absolutely rejected in both the canonical Church of Montenegro which belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church and among the Montenegrin people. According to this law, all the church property that was built before 1918 should to go to the state which will decide to whom it should be handed over.

Of course, the Montenegrin people have rightly seen in it an encroachment on the ages-old shrines of canonical Orthodoxy and have made a stand for the Church. There were thousands-strong processions with the cross throughout Montenegro until they were prohibited under the pretext of the quarantine and now people – medical doctors, military and people of other walks of life – are collecting signatures in defense of the canonical Church in Montenegro.

We have repeatedly warned, including in our talk show: if a ruler goes against his people, it will lead to no good for him. Regrettably, so far the events have been developing according to the saddest scenario.



E. Gracheva:

Telegram Channels in Russia, which are closely following the life of the Russian Orthodox Church, have noticed that while Patriarch Kirill comments on the developments in Turkey and Montenegro, the management of the Russian Orthodox Church is paralyzed because of the coronavirus. The reason is that the Holy Synod has not met for about three months and, allegedly, Patriarch Kirill does not want to hold it by remote connection. Is it really so, because, as far as I know, the Holy Synod met on 16 July. In what form was it held?



Metropolitan Hilarion:

First, I would like to advise our TV viewers not to use the information coming from Telegram Channels because nobody is responsible for the authenticity of this information. These people are rather irresponsible, gathering information in some corners, through informants, through minor staffers of some church institutions; then they draw a picture presented as an insider’s view but actually it is just an incompetent picture, inaccurate and often erroneous.

In this case, Telegram Channels’ concern is astonishing because the church leadership knows better how to manage the Church, when to hold sessions of the Synod and in what format they are to be held. The Church has various ways of settling accumulated issues. If it is not possible to hold a meeting in the face-to-face format for the simple reason that the borders are closed and people cannot fly to Moscow, it means that we decide on the remote connection, as was the case this week when the Synod made a number of decisions on accumulated matters.



E. Gracheva:

Thank you very much, Your Eminence, for your answers to our questions.



Metropolitan Hilarion:

Thank you, Ekaterina.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5666688.html






70th birthday of Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech celebrated in Bulgaria



21 July 2020 - 16:11







On 19th July 2020, celebrations marking the 70th birthday of Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech took place in the diocese of Lovech of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. Among those who came to greet the Bulgarian hierarch was Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeyev), representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Bulgaria.

After the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Cathedral of Ss. Methodius and Cyril, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, chief secretary of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Church, read out a message of greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria, in which His Holiness wished Metropolitan Gavriil good health, peace and longevity, and thanked him for his zealous and selfless service to God.

On behalf of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Gavriil was presented with a cross and a panagia.

Archimandrite Vassian thanked Vladyka Gavriil for the invitation to attend the celebrations and conveyed to him greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations.

“Having devoted your life to the service of God and imitating the great Bulgarian saints in their love for Christ and neighbours, you have always strived to ‘fight the good fight of the faith’ (1 Tim 6:12) and to show “in your teaching… integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured (Tit 2:7-8),” the letter from the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church reads, “Over the many years of your zealous labours for the good of the Holy Bulgarian Orthodox Church, you endured ordeals in fighting for the church unity and experienced joy over the spiritual revival of your people. It is with warmth that we always recall the time of your service in Moscow and your later frequent visits to our country. We highly appreciate your good attention to the life of the Russian Church and your willingness to share with her joys and sorrows. On this day of celebration I prayerfully wish you good health, spiritual peace and God’s unceasing help in your archpastoral ministry.”

As Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokalmsk noted in his message of greetings, the life journey of Metropolitan Gavriil “has been marked by manifold zealous labours in the spiritual vineyard of the Holy Bulgarian Orthodox Church, being a lofty example for younger generations.”

Archbishop Longin of Bancheny, vicar of the diocese of Chernovtsy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, also greeted Metropolitan Gavriil, saying in particular, “I would like to express gratitude to the Bulgarian Church for standing firm in the faith and truth, for not recognizing the schismatics. The past five years have been the hardest ones for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. You supported us, and we thank the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and His Holiness Patriarch Neofit.” Vladyka Longin conveyed to Metropolitan Gavriil greetings from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine and, with his blessing, presented the Bulgarian hierarch with a lofty award of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – the Order of the Holy Prince Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles, 1st Class.

Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech thanked all those present for their sincere prayers, warm words and good wishes. “Now, when I am 70 years old, life seems very short, but my life experience tells me ever more often now that there is no such joyful ministry and no such great happiness as serving the Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Church,” the archpastor said.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5668331.html






Rector of Russian Orthodox Church metochion in Beirut takes part in Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. George



21 July 2020 - 17:46







On 20 July 2020, the commemoration day of St. Elijah, Archimandrite Filipp (Vasiltsev), rector of the metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church in the capital of Lebanon, took part in the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Cathedral of St. George of the Orthodox Church of Antioch.

Praying at the Liturgy was Metropolitan Elias of Beirut who celebrated his Nameday and delivered a sermon on the feast.

The divine service was celebrated in the Arabic, Church Slavonic and French languages.

Archimandrite Filipp congratulated Metropolitan Elias and presented him with congratulatory address from Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, who extended felicitations on the Metropolitan’s Nameday and the 40th anniversary of his ministry as metropolitan, noting in particular his labours for consolidation of the Orthodox community of Beirut, for which he has become a spiritual guide and father.

Metropolitan Elias asked to convey his heartfelt gratitude to Metropolitan Hilarion for congratulations.

After the Divine Liturgy, the archpastor gave his blessing to the parishioners of the Russian Orthodox metochion who attended the service.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5667878.html






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Travel around Moscow with the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness". Matins with the reading of the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in the Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhov (April 3, 2020)
























































































































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Patriarch Kirill congratulates Bishop Anthony of Moravici on his 50th birthday



23 July 2020 - 10:00







His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated the representative of the Patriarch of Serbia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and rector of the church of Ss Peter and Paul-at-Yauza Gates in Moscow (the Moscow representation of the Serbian Orthodox Church), Bishop Anthony of Moravici, on his 50th birthday.



To His Grace Anthony, Bishop of Moravici

Your Grace,

I cordially congratulate you on your 50th birthday.

The Church of the great saint Sava has entrusted Your Grace with the lofty and important service of care for preserving and strengthening the fraternal relations with the Moscow Patriarchate, and it is with distinction that you have carried out this important task for many years.

Sincere love, unanimity and mutual support have distinguished the relationships between the same-faith peoples spiritually nourished by our Churches. These glorious traditions are continued today also through your diligent efforts as rector of the Serbian church representation in Moscow. In recognition of your service, I deem it right to award you the Russian Orthodox Church’s Oder of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow, Third Degree.

I prayerfully wish you the abundance of spiritual gifts, sound health and inexhaustible help of God for many years of peaceful and blessed archpastoral ministry.

With love in the Lord,

+KIRILL,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5654301.html






Statement of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in view of the escalation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict



23 July 2020 - 21:28







On 23rd July 2020, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church issued a statement, calling both sides of the conflict to enter into dialogue.



On 12th July 2020, an armed confrontation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border has broken out again, causing human casualties on both sides.

The conflict between the peoples which for many centuries have lived side by side has been going on for 33 years now. Since 1989 I have been engaged in the work aimed at seeking peaceful ways to resolve this conflict. I take hard its every escalation.

25 years ago, on 13th June 1995, the first trilateral meeting between the religions leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia, initiated by the Russian Orthodox Church, took place at St. Daniel’s Monastery in Moscow. As the result of that meeting, a joint statement was adopted, which emphasized that the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict had no religious grounds. It is particularly important to remember today, when attempts are being made to artificially bring a religious factor into interethnic conflicts in order to aggravate the confrontation.

On 8th September 2017, in Moscow, our countries’ spiritual leaders adopted yet another joint declaration, noting that the Armenian and the Azerbaijani peoples will always live side by side, therefore, they have no other prospect but peace and cooperation.

Today the Russian Orthodox Church calls upon both sides of the conflict to enter into dialogue. The religious communities of Armenia and Azerbaijan have experience of building up such dialogue, which is much needed now.

My appeal is to stand up against those forces that benefit from the increasing tension in the Caucasus. A new war in the Caucasus will inevitably attract different kinds of terrorists and extremists who will deprive the region of peace and tranquillity for a long time.

The decades-long peace-making activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in settling the Karabakh conflict within the framework of trilateral dialogues allow me to appeal to the religious leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia. Dear brothers, I ask you to preserve the achievements that we managed to solidify during our fraternal meetings.

The Russian Orthodox Church is ardently praying for the soonest cessation of the conflict. We hope that the peoples of Armenia and Azerbaijan, fraternal to us, will find strength and wisdom to put an end to the enmity, to de-escalate the distrust and to achieve mutually acceptable solutions to the divisive problems.

+KIRILL,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND RUSSIA




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5668078.html






Bishop Antonije of Moravica is highly decorated by the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian government



24 July 2020 - 11:48







On 23 July 2020, Bishop Antonije of Moravica, representative of the Patriarch of Serbia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and dean of the Representation of the Serbian Patriarchate in Moscow celebrated his 50th birthday.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent a congratulatory message to him with wishes of the abundance of spiritual gifts, good health and God’ inexhaustible aid for many years of peaceful and blessed archpastoral ministry.

His Holiness honored Bishop Antonije with the Order of St. Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow, 3rd class, and will present it later.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an ordinance awarding Bishop Antonije of Moravica with the Order of Friendship ‘for his great contribution to the development of spiritual and cultural ties and educational activity.’

On July 23, Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, deputy chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), congratulated Bishop Antonije with his 50th birthday and the 14th anniversary of his episcopal ministry on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, DECR chairman.

In his congratulatory speech delivered at the Church of Ss Peter and Paul, the Moscow Representation of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Nikolai gave a high appraisal of the work of Bishop Antonije as the head of the Representation and noted an outstanding personal contribution of Bishop Antonije to the deepening of mutual understanding and strengthening of cooperation between the Russian and Serbian Churches.

Metropolitan Hilarion visited the Representation on July 12, its dedication day. While congratulating Bishop Antonije with his upcoming anniversary, he underscored that the larger part of His Grace’s life has been linked with the Russian Orthodox Church.

‘You have become a good and dear friend of our faithful. Within the walls of the Monastery of St. Sergius you have loved the Russian liturgical tradition, the Russian language and culture. The knowledge you have acquired at the Moscow Theological Academy helped you in reviving traditions of the Serbian-Russian friendship established before the Revolution. Your fatherly care for the Serbian diaspora in the countries of the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate and your tireless efforts taken for the development of relations between our Churches have wrote a new page to the common history of our nations of the same faith,’ said Metropolitan Hilarion and honored Bishop Antonije with the DECR award – the medal of St. Mark of Ephesus, 1st class.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5669832.html






Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk celebrates liturgy at Church of Antioch’s Moscow Representation on its patron saint’s day



27 July 2020 - 10:11







On July 26, 2020, the Day of the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, visited the Moscow Representation of the Orthodox Church of Antioch to greet its rector and parishioner on their patron saint’s day.

During the Divine Liturgy, which Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated together with the representative of the Patriarch of Antioch to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, at the church of the Holy Archangel Gabriel, the archpastors were assisted by Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR vice-chairman, and the representation clergy.

After the liturgy, a thanksgiving to the Holy Archangel Gabriel was celebrated in the open in the churchyard.

Addressing the worshippers, Metropolitan Hilarion conveyed them a greeting and blessing from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

The head of the Department for External Church Relations said in particular:

‘You know how keenly His Holiness feels for the grief and suffering of Christians in the Middle East, including in the blessed biblical lands of Lebanon and Syria. In all that is going on today in these sacred lands we see God’s connivance and realize that the Lord will demand an accounting of how we responded to these challenges of time, to the prosecution against Christians, which the enemies of the truth of Christ have launched.

The Russian Orthodox Church has always been and will be with the Orthodox Church of Antioch, and the Russian people have always been and will always be with the peoples of Syria, Lebanon and all the Christians of the Middle East. We will continue all that is possible for us to relieve the suffering of Christians who are subjected today to persecutions and genocide in countries of the Middle East.

We turn today to the Lord with a prayer that He may strengthen the Christians of our Churches and help His Beatitude Patriarch John in his lofty, crucial and very hard service.

We ask our Saviour to help us all to withstand the grief that have fallen to our lot, including the trials caused by a hard epidemic that has befallen now all the countries of the world without exception.

We turn to the Most Holy Mother of God and pray that She may cover all of us and the whole Christian world with Her precious veil protecting us from every evil.

We turn to the Heavenly Hosts, to Archangel Gabriel whose memory is celebrated today, praying that he may bring to us the good news of peace and salvation, that through the intercession of the Bodiless Powers we may always have happiness to participate in the Divine Liturgy. Here, on earth, it is celebrated together with us by the Angels of God, and whenever we assemble in a church for the Divine Liturgy, we feel how Angels are present together with us and strengthen us in their prayers. Every Christian has his or her own Guardian Angel sent by God to help humans on their life journey. He protects us from every evil, helps us in our journeys, in illnesses and grieves and in other situations’.

Addressing Metropolitan Niphon, His Eminence Hilarion wished good health to him and the representation’s parishioners. ‘May the Lord preserve and save you and your flock for many good years’.

Speaking in response, Metropolitan Niphon said, ‘I cordially thank you for your coming to preside over today’s worship service, giving us a greeting and blessing from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. And we all ask you to convey our sincere gratitude to the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church for his paternal attention. In my turn, I am pleased to convey to you personally the fraternal love of our Patriarch of Antioch, His Beatitude John X, and his blessing to all the present here’.

Speaking about the celebrations of that day, he stressed, ‘We praise Archangel Gabriel for the good news and inspiration sent through him both in the Old Testament and especially in the New Testament, for the gospel’s words addressed to the Most Holy Virgin, for the branch of God’s reconciliation with humans, which is so needed by all in this complex world. Looking at this branch as a symbol of hope, we fasten our eyes on today’s suffering of the people of the Church of Antioch and on the care and tangible support given by the Russian Sister Church by sending humanitarian aid to those in need, helping to restore the churches and monasteries ruined in military actions. Using this occasion on this blessed day, I would like, on behalf of the Primate of the Church of Antioch, His Beatitude Patriarch John and on behalf of our whole Church, to expressed boundless gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia for fraternal support that testifies to our spiritual unity’.

In memory of the common prayer and fraternal fellowship in the spirit of love and peace, the rector of the Antioch representation, Metropolitan Niphon, presented Metropolitan Hilarion with a sacred pectoral icon.

A memorable gift – a pectoral cross was also presented to Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR vice-chairman.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5669836.html






Archbishop Tikhon of Podolsk takes part in annual memorial for Russian war prisoners who died in Slovenia during World War I



27 July 2020 - 11:47







On 25 July 2020, with a blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Archbishop Tikhon, administrator of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany, took part in the memorial services at the Russian Chapel of the Holy Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles on the Vrsic Pass in Slovenia.

This year, the ceremony, organized by the Russian embassy in Slovenia, the Slovenia-Russia Society, the Kranjska Gora city administration and the Russian World Foundation, was held under the motto of solidarity and unity of nations and was devoted to all those who, during the pandemic that has become a common disaster, have shown exceptional orderliness, competence and compassion.

Because of the pandemic restrictions, the event was attended by 200 people.

The memorial was opened by the orchestra of the Slovenian police. It performed the national anthems of Slovenia and Russia. The assembly was addressed by Kranjska Gora Mayor Janez Hrovat, President of the Slovenian State Council Aloiz Kovsca, Russian ambassador T. Eivazov, and Slovenia-Russia Society member Urban Ocvirk.

The ceremony devoted to the 104th anniversary of the chapel was attended by President of Slovenia Borut Pahor, chairman of the Slovenian State Council Igor Zorcic, Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb-Ljubljana (Serbian Orthodox Church), Bishop Stanislav Lipovsek of Celje (Roman Catholic Church), Bishop Leon Novak (head of the Evangelical Church of Slovenia), and chairman of the Slovenia-Russia Society Saša Ivan Geržina.

Traditionally, President Pahor and Ambassador Eivazov laid wreaths at the Sons of Russia obelisk at the chapel.

Then the head of the Russian Orthodox Church delegation, Archbishop Tikhon of Podolsk, said the Office for the Dead for the Russian war prisoners who died during World War I in Slovenia.

Requiems were sung by the family quartet led by conductor-reader Mathew Kobro from Munich.

During the litany, prayers were lifted up for the repose of the souls of the dead servants of God – Orthodox commanders and soldiers who died from starvation, wounds and cold at that place.

After the service, Archbishop Tikhon addressed the participants in the ceremony:

‘It is with pain that the echo of World War I resounds in our hearts. At that time, on the Vtsic Pass in 1916 Russian war prisoners were killed by a snow avalanche. Everyone knows that every human life contains a whole universe. All that they held dear – their motherland, family, peaceful sky above, plans, hopes – all that was broken by war.

The sensitive heart should listen what the souls of thousands of those who died tell us, those whose graves are scattered in these places, along the road and in cemeteries of nearby villages. What they tells us silently? – They entreat us to value the human life as a gift of God, to safeguard peace and to prevent terrible tragedies. Eternal memory be to the dead sons of Russia! May the Lord repose their souls in His Heavenly Kingdom!

Allow me to express sincere gratitude to your, Mr. President, and to the Slovenia government and people for the memory of the Russian warriors, for the friendship of our fraternal Slavic peoples as it is visible in this memorial chapel dedicated to the Holy Prince Vladimir, in which prayer is lifted up today. May the Lord preserve us in peace, unanimity and love!’

After the memorial events at the Russian chapel at Kransjka Gora, the members of the Slovenia-Russia Society held their annual meeting.

In the evening of the same day, the Russian Orthodox Church delegation led by Archbishop Tikhon attended the dinner given by Russian ambassador M. Eibazov, the website of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany reports.


***


The Russian Chapel of the Holy Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles under Vrsic Pass (near the Kransjka Gora resort, Slovenia) is a memorial devoted to the Russian soldiers who died there during World War I. The monument is located on one of the slopes of the Julian Alps at 1000 metres above sea level near the Vrsic Pass (1611 m). The road through it joins the central regions of Slovenia with the western ones – the River Soca valley.

During World War I, the town of Kransjka Gora (where the terminal station of the Austrian railway used to be) was a major transit point for delivering ammunition, technical equipment and troops to the Austrian-Italian front. For military needs, the Austrian command decided to build a road through Vrsic. Already in July 1915, a camp for Russian war prisoners was organized near Kransjka Gora, who were building a road through the pass.

On 12 March 1916, one of the Russian prisoner groups who were clearing the road was snowbound by an avalanche together with their Austrian guards; over 300 people were killed. In total, about 10 thousand prisoners died from toil and starvation there (1915-1917).

In memory of their fellow soldiers killed by the avalanche, the Russian war prisoners built in 1916 a small wooden chapel near their temporary barracks.

In the 1920s, the road through the pass was reconstructed; the remnants of those buried along it were reburied in a common grave near the chapel above which a small pyramidal obelisk with inscription ‘To Sons of Russia’ was erected in the 1930s. In those yours, Russian émigré from all parts of then Yugoslavia began gathering each July at the chapel to honour the memory of their compatriots.

After Slovenia became independent in 1991, an initiative group of the Slovenian public, which was to become a core of the Slovenia-Russia Society formed in 1996, began holding at the Russian chapel annual meetings of Russians and Slovenians – politicians, businessmen, representatives of public and church organizations and cultural figures.

In 1995, the Russian chapel was given the status of cultural monument protected by the state. In 2005, the territory around the chapel was transformed into a memorial park and was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Slovenian Ministry of Culture.

In 2006, in anticipation of the 90th anniversary of the Russian chapel, the Slovenian authorities decided to give the road leading from Kransjka Gora and going by the Chapel of the Holy Prince Vladimir to the Vrsic Pass the name ‘Russian Road’.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5669840.html






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Patriarchal service on the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square (July 21, 2020)






































































































__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old July 31st, 2020 #70
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Rector of Russian Church’s Metochion in Beirut takes part in forum on Hagia Sophia



27 July 2020 - 18:55







On 24th July 2020, a Forum of Solidarity on “Hagia Sophia – Symbol of World Heritage” was held in Beirut, Lebanon. The meeting was organized by the Lebanese Non-Governmental Association “Orthodox Meeting.”

Among the participants in the forum were representatives of the Orthodox Church of Antioch, the Armenian Catholic Church, the Syrian Church, the Melkite Church, the Anglican Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Maronite Church, and the Coptic Church, as well as deputies of the Lebanese parliament, representatives of local political parties and public figures. Participating in the meeting was also Archimandrite Filipp (Vasiltsev), rector of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Metochion in Beirut.

During his speech, Archimandrite Filipp read out the Statement of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod concerning the decision of the Turkish authorities to change the status of Hagia Sophia, and informed all those present about the position on this problem of Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations. As Archimandrite Filipp noted, the community of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Metochion in Lebanon is praying for the restoration of the former status of the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia.

The participants in the meeting called upon Ankara to reverse the decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque, because, as the final resolution emphasizes, “this step leads to the fomentation of interfaith and inter-civilizational confrontation” and creates a dangerous precedent that may have a negative impact on the future of various religions’ shrines in the region of the Middle East.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5670145.html






On commemoration day of Great Prince Vladimir Equal to the Apostles, Primate of Russian Orthodox Church celebrated liturgy at Church of Christ the Saviour



28 July 2020 - 15:48






On 28 July 2020, the commemoration day of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, the church-state celebration day of the Baptism of Russia, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the cathedral Church of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.

















The Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, which took place on June 24-20, 2008, in Moscow, resolved that on the commemoration day of the Holy Prince Vladimir Equal to the Apostles observed on July 15/28, ‘the liturgy be celebrated according to the great feast statute, doing honour to the baptiser of Russia’. In Russia, Ukraine and Byelorussia, the day of the Holy Prince Vladimir was included in the list of state memorial dates marked by public celebrations. Festivities are held in all the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church.

















Upon his arrival at the Church of Christ the Saviour, Patriarch Kirill venerated the honourable relics of St. Philaret the Metropolitan of Moscow.

















During the liturgy, His Holiness was assisted by a great number of bishops and priests, abbots and church officials in holy orders who serve in Moscow and the Moscow Region.

















Among his concelebrants were also representatives of Local Orthodox Churches including the Orthodox Church of Antioch, the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.

















Among the worshippers were State Duma deputies, the Moscow Mayor Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials. There were also officials of the Russian Orthodox Church synodal departments, abbesses and nuns from convents in Moscow and monks from patriarchal monasteries.

















The liturgy was broadcast live by Soyuz and Spas TV channels.

















Along with hymns and prayers of the day, a petition was lifted up by Patriarch Kirill for the deliverance from the spread of the harmful coronavirus infection.

















After the dismissal, the shrine with a part of the relics of the Holy Great Prince Vladimir was taken out from the sanctuary and placed at the central lectern. Patriarch Kirill said a special prayer to the Baptizer of Russia and prayers were lifted up for Russian President Vladimir Putin who celebrates his name day on this date.

















The liturgy concluded with the singing of Many Years to His Holiness Kirill and to the name-day celebrant President Vladimir Putin.




















After that Patriarch Kirill addressed himself to the congregation with a primatial homily and presented church awards to several bishops and abbesses in recognition of their diligent work for the good of the Church.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5670560.html






Representatives of Local Churches to Moscow Patriarchal See greeted Patriarch Kirill on the Day of the Baptism of Russia



28 July 2020 - 20:47







On 28 July 2020, the representatives of Local Orthodox Churches to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia took part in the celebration of the commemoration day of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, which centered on the Patriarchal liturgy at the cathedral Church of Christ the Saviour. Among Patriarch Kirill’s concelebrants were Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis (Orthodox Church of Antioch), Bishop Anthony of Moravici (Serbian Orthodox Church), Archimandrite Seraphim (Shemyatovsky), (the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.

Among the speakers at the festive repast after the liturgy was Metropolitan Niphon who addressed His Holiness Kirill, stressing, ‘Glorifying today Prince Vladimir the Baptizer of Russia, we as representatives of Local Churches to your see, greet you on this great feast respectfully pointing to the firm decision of the people of the Kievan Rus’ to follow their prince and live up the words of St. Paul who prayed that all may become what I am (Acts. 26:29)’.

‘In Rus’, Christianity acquired a special spiritual power, strengthening people’s love for their motherland, producing its own missionaries who preached Orthodoxy in other countries, enriching the world with saints who now intercede for us before God’s Throne’, he said.

‘Through centuries, Orthodox Rus’ was a pillar for other Local Churches, and we will never forget the fraternal support she have us in the times of the Ottoman aggression’, he testified referring in particular to the creation in 1848 of the Moscow Antiochian Representation, ‘to meet the needs of the Patriarchate of Antioch which endured distress in the 18th-19th centuries’. ‘And all the consequent Synods, Metropolitans and Patriarchs of Moscow continued this sacred mission of help to our Church of Antioch and other sister Churches’, he stressed.

‘Your Holiness, during your ministry as Primate of the Russian Church, we in the East have repeatedly received special shows of attention, care, brotherly attitude of the Holy Russian Church. One can say, a new tree of life has been planted, which brings the fruit of love in the Orthodox world’, he noted and wished His Holiness many years of life and the Lord’s help in his service ‘to preserve the spiritual heritage of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir for the glory of holy Orthodoxy’.

Metropolitan Niphon also pointed with gratitude to the invariable attention given to Moscow representations of Local Orthodox Churches by the head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk.

Among the speakers was also Bishop Anthony of Moravici, rector of the Moscow representation of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who was presented that day by Patriarch Kirill with a high award of the Russian Orthodox Church – the Order of St. Alexis the Metropolitan of Kiev, Moscow and All Rus’ ‘in recognition of his longstanding fruitful work for the development of relations between the Russian and the Serbian Orthodox Churches and in connection with his 50th birthday’.

Addressing His Holiness on behalf of all those who were awarded that day, His Grace Anthony said he was pleased to be awarded on the commemoration day of the Holy Prince Vladimir the Baptizer of Russia, saying, ‘Prince Vladimir continued the mission initiated by St. Andrew. He sawed the seed of Christianity in Rus’. He noted that the fruits of that planting are millions of Orthodox people in countries spiritually nourished by the Russian Orthodox Church. He also made a special mention of the hard trials experienced today by the canonical Church in Ukraine. ‘Besides’, he continued, ‘the Russian Church has given the Universal Orthodoxy a great number of holy men and women of God – ascetics, martyrs and confessors’.

Speaking on behalf of all those who received patriarchal awards, Bishop Anthony thanked Patriarch Kirill for the high evaluation of their work and said that he sees the Order of the Russian Orthodox Church he received as another testimony to the brotherly attitude to the archpastors and pastors of the Serbian Church and the Serbian people and as a sign of kind concern for representatives of Local Churches to the Moscow Patriarchal See.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5670933.html
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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill extends greetings to Primate of Georgian Orthodox Church on his Name Day



2 August 2020 - 10:30







His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia on his Name Day.



His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia

Your Holiness and Beatitude, beloved in the Lord Brother and Concelebrant:

On the commemoration day of the Holy Glorious Prophet Elijah, “seer of the mighty works of God” (Kontakion to the Saint), please accept my cordial greetings and congratulations on your Name Day.

With unshakeable faith and trust in the Lord, with humility and meekness you bear the cross of the lofty Primatial ministry, steering with firm hand the ship of the Holy Georgian Church toward salvation. By word and by the example of your life you reveal to your flock “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:17).

May the Merciful Lord, by the prayers of your heavenly patron, grant unto you spiritual and bodily strength, peace of mind and His generous help in your further Patriarchal labours for the good of the Georgian Church and the whole Orthodoxy.

With fraternal love in Christ,

+KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5662324.html






His Holiness Patriarch Kirill greets Primate of Albanian Orthodox Church with anniversary of enthronement



2 August 2020 - 11:00







His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania on the anniversary of his enthronement.



HIS BEATITUDE ANASTASIOS, ARCHBISHOP OF TIRANA AND ALL ALBANIA

Your Beatitude,

Beloved in the Lord Brother and Concelebrant:

Please accept my heartfelt greetings with the anniversary of your enthronement.

Numerous and manifold are the fruits of your zealous Primatial labours. Having suffered torments at the hands of the theomachist authorities, the Albanian Orthodox Church found in Your Beatitude a wise helmsman and “good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (1 Tim 4:6).

Hereby I prayerfully wish you good health, spiritual strength, peace and unceasing help from the Lord in your lofty Primatial service.

With brotherly love in Christ,

+KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5662296.html






New president of Christian Solidarity International human rights organization is elected



3 August 2020 - 14:17







On 27 July 2020, Dr. John Eibner, former CEO of Christian Solidarity International human rights organization, was elected its new president.

Dr. John Eibner is notable for his activism and numerous speeches and publications in defence of persecuted Christians. Since 1990 he has been working for Christian Solidarity International, participating in all its key projects and visiting conflict zones.

Christian Solidarity NGO was founded in 1977; its headquarters is in Switzerland. The organization is committed to defending the rights of Christians, combating slavery and rendering information and material support to victims of religious repression. It became widely known thanks to its role in freeing enslaved people during the second Sudanese civil war (1983-2005). Through its appeals, petitions and publications in the mass media Christian Solidarity actively promotes in governmental circles of western countries ideas of defending the right to religious freedom. On a regular basis this NGO holds conferences and other events aimed at defending Christians in the Middle East and other regions, inviting for this purpose renowned experts and human rights activists. John Eibner regularly visits Iraq and Syria, meets with Christian leaders and publishes in leading western periodicals articles and expert commentaries on the plight of the Middle Eastern Christians.

For many years the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations has been maintaining dialogue and cooperation with Christian Solidarity International in protecting Christians from persecution.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5677961.html






Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: We have supported and will support the canonical Church of Montenegro



4 August 2020 - 13:32







In the evening of August 2, 2020, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, took part in the live stream of the Internet-Litija Montenegro program.



– Your Eminence, first of all allow me to thank you on behalf of Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral and other hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church, whose jurisdiction extends to Montenegro, for having found a possibility, despite all your high duties as chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, to meet with us on this festive commemoration day of the Prophet Elijah in the Internet-Litija program.

After the adoption of a law on the freedom of faith and legal status of the religious communities, whereby the state can confiscate the property of the Montenegro dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church, people in Montenegro took to streets in protest against the injustice imposed on our Church. Our Church and our people have come out against the anti-Church law peacefully marching with dignity and prayer in procession with the cross. For several months, each Thursday and Sunday, our people called upon our authorities with love and prayer to revoke this contradictory law or change its most disputable articles.

In connection with the COVID-19 measures, the prayer processions were suspended and moved to the internet space.

We know that you are well aware of the process, which was going on in Montenegro for many years and which intensified last year as a law was unilaterally adopted in the end of 2019 that infringes on the rights of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The best testimony of your awareness of this problem is your public addresses and the statements made by the highest bodies of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

How far is this problem known in the Russian Orthodox Church and in Russia on the whole? And how do you evaluate the developments, including the latest ones linked with the failed negotiations between the Church’s expert groups and the Montenegrin government?


– I would like to greet all our viewers in both Montenegro and Serbia and all the Orthodox Christians who are not indifferent to the fate of Orthodoxy in Montenegro. I would like to convey cordial greetings to His Eminence Amfilohije, Metropolitan of Montenegro and Littoral, and to all the hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church who are serving in the land of Montenegro and, on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and on my own behalf and on behalf of the whole Russian Orthodox Church, in the first place to assure the Serbian Orthodox Church of our all possible support.

I admire the feat of confession accomplished today by the Orthodox faithful of Montenegro. I was very much impressed by the videos shown by Russian television central channels as well as the tens of thousands of people who took to streets of Montenegrin cities to testify to the faithfulness to their Church. These exposures have made a great impression on the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Of course, we in the Russian Orthodox Church are following today’s developments in Montenegro with immense concern. And it is remarkable that in the coronavirus pandemic situation, the Orthodox faithful of Montenegro, who cannot take to street now, use the internet space to bear witness to their faithfulness of Orthodoxy.

We see the situation around the canonical Orthodox Church in Montenegro as a direct encroachment of the civil authorities upon the ages-old heritage of Orthodoxy in this country. It is an encroachment not on the Serbian Church but on canonical Orthodoxy.

The Orthodox faith is universal; it is not divided into Byzantine or Russian, Serbian or Montenegrin. At the same time, in each country and in each people this true faith has its own distinctive national expression. However, the canonical structure of the Church, her canonical order does not always coincide with state boundaries. And many Orthodox Churches are multinational.

For instance, the Russian Orthodox Church is not only the Church of Russia. The canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church also embraces Ukraine, Byelorussia, Moldavia, Baltic republics and Central Asia states. The jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church extends to Japan, Mongolia and China. In each of these countries, Orthodoxy has its own distinctive expression but for all the peculiarities of their national mentality, Orthodox Christians in these countries are members of the one Russian Orthodox Church.

The Serbian Orthodox Church is also a multinational Church and she is present not only in Serbia but also in other states. And when politicians wish to create an independent Church of Montenegro, tearing it away from the Serbian Orthodox Church, we cannot agree with it in any way because the administrative matters of a Church’s order should be decided not by politicians but by the Church herself. Politicians should be engaged in political, international, social problems and in domestic policy and concern over the material welfare of the population. But to interfere in the internal affairs of a Church and in her order is something they should not do.

– The Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro, the leading force in Montenegro, has included the creation of its own ‘autocephalous church’ in its plan and aims for the future. Your Eminence, how do you see this development, considering that it is a secular party of civil orientation?

– The Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it’ (Mt. 16:18). And here politicians say all of a sudden: I will build my own church. It is not political leaders’ business to create Churches. Let them create political parties. And the governance of the Church is a prerogative of church people.

The boundaries of the Church are known to change in history. It is not some immovable fact; it is a living process. However, it does not befit politicians to create some boundaries within a Church. It is exclusively an internal church affair. And if a political party sets itself the task to create a church of its own, then one may ask whether this party has nothing else to do? So they have solved all the social problems or what?

There is a notion of ‘freedom of conscience’ and ‘freedom of faith’. And if a political party comes out with slogans that they will create some church of their own, then it is a direct interference and direct intervention in the sphere that politicians should not trespass at all. It is exactly a violation of the right to freedom of conscience and freedom of faith.

I will give an example. The Roman Catholic Church has her own dioceses and structures in many countries of the world. At the same time, the church centers are located in Rome. Until recently in China there was a situation in which the Chinese leadership demanded that the Catholic Church of China be actually separated from Rome. But from the Catholic point of view, it is an abnormal situation. Ultimately, the Chinese leadership entered into negotiation with the Vatican and an agreement was reached that the Chinese Catholics would be able to recognize Rome as their church center.

Rome is the church center for the Catholics of the world. And for the Orthodox Christians, not only in Russia but also in the countries I have enumerated, the church center (not political but precisely spiritual) is located in Moscow.

The same concerns the Serbian Orthodox Church, which has her own structures in many countries, but its spiritual center is the Serbian Patriarchate, which is located in Belgrade now, but once it was in the city of Pec. Similarly, the historical center of the Russian Orthodox Church is located in Moscow now, but once it was in Kiev.

Therefore, it is not the business of political parties to embark on the shaded enterprise of creating a Church. The church people should be given an opportunity for solving their own issues and problems.

– The other day the president of Montenegro stated that the Serbian Orthodox Church is reluctant to meet half-way the Montenegrin authorities because she receives such instructions from Moscow and Belgrade. Generally, in recent times such accusations can be heard coming from our various officials. Your Eminence, what relation does the Russian Orthodox Church have to fraternal Local Churches including our Serbian Orthodox Church? Are there such opinions?

– The Russian Orthodox Church cannot give instructions to fraternal Local Churches. But the Russian Church always helps and prayerfully supports fraternal Orthodox Churches.

I will remind you that relations between the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches are ages old. I would also like to point to the deep relations existing between our Orthodox nations. It is not in Russia but in Montenegro that these words have passed into a proverb: the number of us, the Montenegrins together with the Russians, is this (citing the common population number).

The unity of our nations is sealed with the blood of our soldiers who gave their lives for the liberation of the Balkans from the Turkish domination. For us this is a sacred history. Therefore, certainly we supported and will support the people spiritually nourished by the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches. We have supported and will support the Orthodox Church in Serbia and Montenegro. The point, however, is not the canonical Church, not the schismatic entities who call themselves Orthodox but actually are imposters and self-ordained persons.

– In the last two decades, during various turbulent situations in the church-state relations in Montenegro, the Russian Orthodox Church has given her support to any initiative for improving and regulating inter-church and inter-state relations. Along with regular meetings and contacts with representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Russian Church has had contacts with high representative of the Montenegro civil authorities. It is known that Mr. Jukanovic met in Moscow with the late Patriarch Alexis II. And the present Patriarch, His Holiness Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, met with President Jukanovich during the consecration of the cathedral in Podgorica. During your visit to Montenegro in 2011, you had meetings with the state leaders of our country. What is your message to the Montenegrin authorities today?

– Our message is very simple: hands off the Orthodox Church. It is our deep conviction that the politicians who encroach on the Orthodox Church are pursuing an anti-popular cause – they are going against their people. The testimony is the tens of thousands of people who, until recently, took to the streets. The testimony is the teachers, medical doctors, seamen, the military who are collecting signatures for the defense of the canonical Montenegrin Orthodox Church as part of the Serbian Orthodox Church. In this situation, if the state goes against the Church, then it thus acts against its people. Therefore, our message to the Montenegrin authorities is very simple: Stop, come to your senses; put an end to the persecution against the Church that you have launched now.

Already before the pandemic, I had a meeting with Montenegro’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Russia, who came to me apparently on the instruction of Montenegro’s President M. Jukanovic. The head of the diplomatic mission of Montenegro brought to me on that occasion a Russian version of the law on freedom of faith and beliefs and the legal status of the religious communities, already adopted now, and tried to prove that there was not discrimination of the Church in it.

However, it follows from this law that all the church property, which had been created before 1918, shall become a property of the state, and some state body shall decide to which church structure this property is to be transferred. And during the meeting with Mr. Ambassador I said, you are creating conditions for alienation of the church property for the possible transfer of church facilities to some other structures. It is a very dangerous road.

Addressing the Montenegrin authorities today, I would like to say this: if you want the people’s support, do not go against the Church. Support the Church and then the people will support you.

– In your previous interviews, especially in the Church and the World program, you drew a parallel between the situation of the canonical Church in Montenegro and Ukraine. One cannot help noticing that the problematization of this matter – the attitude to the Church in both Montenegro and Ukraine – does not come from the faithful, not even from society but rather from the secular authorities. Why is it so?

– True, the situation in Montenegro reminds of the situation as developed in Ukraine under President P. Poroshenko. Mr. Poroshenko also set as one of the aims of his pre-election campaign to create an autocephalous Ukrainian church separated from the Russian Orthodox Church, in his belief that he will thus secure his political future and his second presidential term.

For this sake P. Poroshenko conspired with Patriarch Bartholomew. And, to our deep regret, Patriarch Bartholomew supported those political ambitions and legalized the schism in Ukraine, which certainly did not solve the problem of the Ukrainian schism, because the canonical Church remains as it was in unity with the Russian Church, while the schism remains a schism as it was. In this schism, there are those who did not have even a semblance of hierarchal consecration, i.e., they are imposters and self-ordained persons. And no ‘tomos’ from Patriarch Bartholomew will be able to make them legitimate.

As for the end of Mr. Poroshenko’s political carrier, everybody knows that, although he had gone through all Ukraine with the notorious ‘tomos’, he still was voted down, as we say with a bang, in disgrace, and ‘the tomos’ did not help him.

I believe, the political leaders who seek to stake on some church projects in their political pre-election struggle make a great mistake. The more so that in this case the point is not that a politician seeks to enlist the support of the Church. On the contrary, to achieve his political goals he seeks to destroy the acting Church. That is to say, he does not like the Church existing in Montenegro today and wishes to create some new church.

– Despite the extremely burdened relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople, we could see – when the decision was made about changing the status of Agia Sophia and making it into a mosque – the strong disagreement of the Russian Orthodox Church with this action. What can you say about it?

– I would like first of all to recall that His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was the first Orthodox church leader to raise his voice in defense of Agia Sophia at the time when the decision to make it a mosque had already been announced, but was not adopted as yet. And later the State Duma of the Russian Federation, following the Patriarch, adopted a statement on this matter.

Some mass media representatives in Russia and Ukraine, too, assert that Patriarch Bartholomew himself is to blame for the fact that Agia Sophia has become a mosque because he split up the Orthodox Church and God has punished him for it. But I in no way can agree with it.

Hagia Sophia of Constantinople is a common Orthodox shrine. For us, Russian people, it has a utterly special significance. When Prince Vladimir thought over the choice of a faith for the Russian people, he sent his ambassadors to various countries for them to look how and where people worship God and then they came back and told him about it. The ambassadors visited Jews, Muslims and Western Christians and finally found themselves in Constantinople. And when they entered Hagia Sophia and saw all the divine beauty of that church, its precious adornment and priceless mosaics decorating the church, and heard church singing and saw the solemnity of the worship service, then upon their return they told Prince Vladimir, ‘We did not know whether we were in heaven or on earth’. That visit predetermined the historic choice made by Prince Vladimir in faviour of the Orthodox Christianity.

Making Hagia Sophia a mosque is a blow on the whole Orthodox Christianity; I would even say on the entire world Christianity. We, Orthodox Christians, are enduring this blow together and enduring it painfully.

Again, some say that Patriarch Bartholomew could prevent the turning of Agia Sophia into a mosque but he did not do it. I cannot agree with this either. He could not prevent it just as he cannot achieve for long years the opening of the theological school on Halki Island. The Turkish authorities ignore Patriarch Bartholonew.

We are very disappointed of course by the fact that the world Orthodoxy met that sad event being internally divided. It is very sad.

However, there are also some joyful moment in our life. Not so long ago, a huge church was opened in Moscow in which our military will pray. And in Belgrade, works are almost completed for the interior adornment of St. Sava’s Cathedral. Participating in the adornment are also the Russian State and the Russian Orthodox Church, and our remarkable masters of mosaic. I hope that in the near future this work will be completed and that during our visits to Belgrade and our visit to St. Sava’s Cathedral we will be able to feel what the Prince Vladimir’s ambassadors felt ten centuries ago at Hagia Sophia.

– Your Eminence, we are very grateful to the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state for the help with adorning St. Sava’s Cathedral, which will become the central cathedral of not only Belgrade but also our whole Serbian Orthodox Church.

I would like also to touch upon the topic of relationships between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian authorities. Recently some amendments have been made to the Constitution. The Russian Orthodox Church has taken an active part in this process by offering her own proposal for amendments to the Constitution. How important these amendments are for the Russian Church and Russian society as a whole?


– First of all, our Constitution now mentions the name of God. It is very important of course for all the faithful, not only Orthodox, but also for Russian Muslims, Judaists and even Buddhists, who have unanimously supported this amendment.

And all our traditional religions have also supported the article, now already part of the Constitution, about marriage as the union of man and woman.

There were many other amendments, in particular, those aimed to raise the social welfare of our population. For instance, the article on the obligatory indexation of pensions. There also appeared articles on the state protection of motherhood and childhood. That is, the adopted articles of the Constitution meet the aspirations of the people. That is why an absolute majority of the population voted for them.



In conclusion of the program, Metropolitan Hilarion answered questions that came from viewers.



– Recently, your Paschal message to the president of Montenegro was published, and the authorities of Montenegro wanted to present your message as allegedly supporting their policy. How can you comment this?

– Annually I send the Nativity and Pascha greetings to heads of approximately 100 or may be 120 states with which the Russian Federation has diplomatic relations, as well as to the heads of the states in which Orthodox faithful live. In my turn, I also receive message of greetings from heads of states and heads of Churches, and from very many people. Annually I receive approximately one thousand Easter and Christmas greetings, but it is off the top of my head to interpret these messages as, for instance, support of my views.

– In connection with the adopted law “On Freedom of Faith and Beliefs and Legal Status of the Religious Communities”, we, Orthodox believers in Montenegro traditionally greet each other. Just as during Pascha it is a tradition to greet each other with words ‘Christ Is Risen’, so today, in connection with the recent events, the faithful in Montenegro greet each other exclaiming, ‘We’ll not give up shrines’. It means that people will defend their shrines, their values. How do you perceive these words?

– In the beginning of our talk, I already said and I would like to repeat once again that I admire the courage of the Orthodox Montenegrins, who were not afraid of taking to streets. They are not afraid to collect signatures in defense of their shrines, as we say, ‘to defend them with their own lives’.

I would like to address the Orthodox faithful of Montenegro and ask them to continue standing just as firmly in defense of canonical Orthodoxy and their shrines and to not yield to the promises of the political leaders who say that we have a wrong Church and that they wish to give us a ‘right’ one.

There may be only one church – the Church built by the Lord Jesus Christ. And the so-called churches created by schismatics or politicians are not true churches. If a politician has some questions to ask the Church, then we should sit down at the negotiation table and come to an agreement. But regrettably, the attempts to draw the canonical Church into dialogue on the conditions proposed today by the authorities of Montenegro cannot be understood as a full-fledged desire of dialogue; because the law, which has been adopted, is openly discriminatory. It is a direct encroachment upon the Church. And evasive measures for suspension of the law or its particular articles do not solve the problem created by the Montenegrin authorities.

When we are told that by our commenting on the situation in Montenegro we allegedly interfere in the internal affairs of this country, we cannot agree with it. The Orthodox Church throughout the world is the one Body of Christ. And, as St. Paul says, ‘If one part suffers, every part suffers with it’ (1 Cor. 12:26).

That is why all that is happening now in Montenegro induces deep pain and sincere compassion in us. We do not interfere in political matters, nor show the people of Montenegro for whom to vote, for which party to vote. But we have supported and will support the canonical Church in the land of Montenegro as part of the Serbian Orthodox Church.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5672925.html






His Holiness Patriarch Kirill’s condolences over the tragedy in Beirut



4 August 2020 - 23:45







His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent condolences to the President of the Lebanese Republic, Mr. Michel Aoun, and to His Beatitude Patriarch John X of the Great Antioch and All the East over the death of people in the explosion at Beirut’s port.



His Excellency Mr. Michel Aoun, President Lebanese Republic

Your Excellency, dear Mr. President,

It grieved me deeply to learn about the explosions that thundered on Tuesday at Beirut’s port, killing and injuring many people and causing considerable damage to the city’s buildings and infrastructure. Please accept my profound condolences.

I sincerely empathize with those who have lost their relatives and friends and ask to convey to them my words of consolation and support, and to the injured – my wishes of the soonest recovery.

At this time of hardships may the Merciful Lord grant strength to the doctors who are selflessly fighting to save the lives of the victims, to the staff of the rescue services and to all those who are working hard, striving to overcome the aftermaths of the tragedy, and may He grant peace, welfare and tranquillity to Lebanon.

With deep condolences,

+KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA


***


His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of the Great Antioch and All the East

Your Beatitude, Beloved Brother and Concelebrant at God’s Altar,

On behalf of the archpastors, clergy, monastics and laypeople of the Russian Orthodox Church I offer you my deep condolences over the tragedy that occurred in Beirut.

My heart grieved as I learned about the calamity which inflicted new wounds on your long-suffering Christ-loving flock. I am praying to our Lord Jesus Christ that He may grant recovery to the injured, repose to the souls of the victims, consolation to their relatives and friends in this sorrow, and peace, welfare and tranquillity to Lebanon.

With brotherly love in the Lord,

+KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5673001.html






Primate of Orthodox Church of Antioch meets with DECR vice-chairman, Archbishop Leonid of Vladikavkaz and Alania



4 August 2020 - 12:03







On August 1-4, 2020, Archbishop Leonid of Vladikavkaz and Alania, vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, undertook a working visit to the Syrian Arab Republic with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

On August 2, Archbishop Leonid was received by His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East at the Patriarchal residence in the Monastery of the Holy Great Martyr George in the Valley of Christians, Homs province. They were joined in the meeting by Bishop Efraim of Seleucia, secretary of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Antioch; Hegumen Arseniy (Sokolov), representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East; Archimandrite Arsenios (Dahdal), abbot of St George Monastery; Mr. A.S. Kozlenko, first secretary of Russia’s Embassy in Syria; and Dr. Khaled Atanas, director of the Al-Hosn Patriarchal Hospital.

His Beatitude conveyed cordial greetings to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and on behalf of the Patriarchate of Antioch expressed gratitude to the Russian Orthodox Church and all the Russian people for supporting their Christian brothers in Syria. His Beatitude Patriarch John also shared with those present warm memories of his visits to Russia.

Discussed during the meeting were various issues pertaining to further implementation of humanitarian and social projects in the territory of Syria with the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church.

While in Syria, Vladyka Leonid also visited a church and a chapel at the Hmeimim air base and met with Rev. Yevgeny Andreyev, who serves there, and with representatives of the air command group of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic.

On his visit the DECR vice-chairman was accompanied by Hegumen Arseniy (Sokolov), representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5678038.html






Metochion of Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Magdala celebrates its patronal feast



4 August 2020 - 16:44







On 4th August 2020, the commemoration day of the Holy Myrrh-Bearer Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles, the Metochion of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Magdala celebrated its patronal feast. With the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth officiated at the Divine Liturgy.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archimandrite Alexander (Yelisov), head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem; clerics of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Archimandrite Parthenius (Asproulakis) and Archpriest Symeon Betjalli; as well as the clergy of the Russian Mission: Hegumen Nikon (Golovko), Hieromonk Dometian (Markaryan), Hieromonk Afanasy (Bukin) and Deacon Ilya Drachuk.

The divine service was celebrated in the Church Slavonic, Greek and Arabic languages. Among the worshippers were sisters of the Gorny Convent.

The Liturgy was followed by a procession with the cross to the Spring of St. Mary Magdalene and later to a memorial cross installed thanks to the efforts of a benefactor of the Metochion, Dimitry Bai. There, a litany was said for the repose of the soul of the late benefactor.

Metropolitan Kyriakos congratulated all the worshippers on the patronal feast, presenting each of them with an Easter egg. Archimandrite Alexander addressed the hierarch with words of greetings.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5678057.html
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Moscow representation of the Orthodox Church in America marks the 50th anniversary of the glorification of St. Herman of Alaska



9 August 2020 - 16:26







On Sunday, August 9, 2020, the commemoration day of St. Herman of Alaska, celebrations were held at the church of Great Martyr Catherine in-the-Fields to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the glorification of St. Herman, who dedicated many years of his life until his death to the spiritual enlightenment of the Aleutians and to mark the 50th anniversary of the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in America.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Ambrose of Vereya, vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia and abbot of the Sretensky Stauropegial Monastery and rector of the Sretensky Theological Seminary, together with Bishop Anthony of Moravici, representative of the Patriarch of Serbia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

The archpastors were assisted by Protopresbyter Vladimir Divakov, patriarchal secretary for Moscow; Archpriest Daniel Andreyuk, representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and rector of the church of Great Martyr Catherine in-the-Fields; Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR); Archimandrite Seraphim (Shemyatovsky), representative of the Church of the Czech Lands of Slovakia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Hegumen Joseph (Kryukov), rector of the Valamo Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration representation in Moscow; Archpriest Christopher Hill; Rev. Pavel Zuev; Hierodeacon Seraphim (Chernyshuk), and Deacons Vladislav Sokolov and Dimitry Asratian.

Prayers and petitions were lifted up for the unity of the Orthodox Church and deliverance from the pernicious infection.

Present in the church was Ms. Sophia Buday, second secretary of the USA in Russia.

After the prayer behind the ambo, the praise was sung to St. Herman at this image and honourable relics.

In his address after the service, Archpriest Daniel Andreyuk conveyed to all the participants in the celebrations a greeting from His Beatitude Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America and Canada.

Speaking on behalf of the clergy, workers and parishioners of the church, Archpriest Daniel Andreyuk expressed filial gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia for special attention His Holiness gives to the American representation in Moscow.

Many Years was sung to the two sister Orthodox Churches and to the peoples of Russia and America.

In his archpastoral address, Archbishop Ambrose conveyed the Patriarch Kirill’s blessing to the clergy and parishioners of the St. Catherine church and thanked everybody for the common prayers on that festive day. ‘Today is a really special day, special for both the Orthodox Church in America and this representation and the Russian Orthodox Church which has sown sacrificial seeds on the American continent’, he said. He also asked to convey gratitude to His Beatitude Tikhon for his message of greeting and congratulated the congregation of the anniversaries celebrated by the Orthodox Church in America this year and pointed to the contribution made by the OCA Moscow representation to the preservation and strengthening of fraternal relations between the two Churches.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5678888.html






Humanitarian aid brought from Russia to the war-damaged church of the Dormition in Syrian city of Zabadani



10 August 2020 - 11:27







Humanitarian aid has been brought to the church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God in the city of Zabadani being restored with the help of Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. In the course of a joint humanitarian action, the Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in the territory of the Arab Republic of Syria and the Boyevoe Bratstvo [Combat Brotherhood], the Russian national public organization of war veterans, conveyed food packages to parishioners in need.

Besides, the church’s Sunday school received from Russian veterans sports equipment, namely, football gates, basketball baskets, ping-pong tables, balls and chess. Before the war, the school was attended by over 700 children; there were sports events, festivals and youth activities arranged for them. At present, there are only 150 schoolchildren in it.

As Dmitry Sablin, Boyevoe Bratstvo first deputy head, noted, the church in Zabadani had always been a center of attraction for local Christians. During the war, this city, located 30 km away from Damascus, was repeatedly captured by Jabhat al-Nusra militants and Christians had to flee it. The church of the Dormition with its almost two-century-old history was looted and damaged.

At present, worship services are held in an adjacent building, but already in a month’s time, according to Metropolitan Ephraim of Seleucia, vicar of His Beatitude Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the Orthodox people in Zabadani hope to assemble for worship in the church and by the end of the year to complete restoration work in it. ‘The aid and support of Russia are very important for us. It is a guarantee that those who had to flee from militants will come back home and that Christians will remain in their land’, the archpastor stressed.

The parish youth group told the Russian guests about their work including studies with Sunday school children. They sang Christian hymns for the guests and invited them to come for Christmas in the already restored church. Parishioners of the church of the Finding of the Holy Sepulchre in Moscow who have helped the Syrian Sunday schools in a regular basis promised to send them Christmas gifts.

Participating in the meeting were E. Kurbanov, councillor of the Russian embassy in Syria and A. Kozlenko, first secretary of the embassy, as well as Boyevoe Bratstvo representatives, and military personnel from the Russian Center of Reconciliation in Syria.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5678892.html






On the feast of the Nativity of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Russian-speaking faithful living in Turkey prayed at the Liturgy in Demre



12 August 2020 - 16:52







On August 11, 2020, the feast of the Nativity of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, in the city of Demre (Myra of Lycia, Antalya Province, Turkey) the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Father George Sergeyev in charge of the pastoral care of the Russian-speaking faithful in the Republic of Turkey.

During the Prayer of Fervent Supplication, petitions were lifted up for the unity of the Orthodox Church and the protection of the Church from divisions and schisms, as well as prayers for stopping the spread of the coronavirus infection.

Among the worshippers were pilgrims from the Society of Orthodox Russian-speaking faithful in Antalya and the faithful from Russia, Ukraine and Byelorussia on vacations in the region.

During the Dismissal, prayers were sung with the akathistos to St. Nicholas and the Order of Blessing Water was performed.

After the liturgy, Father George addressed the congregation stressing the importance of reviving the tradition of celebrations on the Feast of the Nativity of St. Nicholas. He expressed gratitude to the Turkish authorities and the Russian Art and Culture Society in Antalya for their help in organising the divine service.

After that a lity was said at the Monument to A. G. Karlov, the ambassador of the Russian Federation and a Hero of Russia who was killed by a terrorist on 19 December 2016 in Ankara, the Patriarchia.ru website reports.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5679200.html






Deputy Head of Russian Emergencies Ministry visits Beirut Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church



17 August 2020 - 10:32







On August 15, 2020, the first deputy head of the Russian Federation Ministry for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Relief, Col-Gen. A. Chupriyan and an Emercom delegation, during their stay in the Lebanese capital city affected by a destructive explosion, visited the church of St. John the Baptist – the Beirut representation of the Russian Orthodox Church. The guests were present at the prayer for the repose of the souls of the victims, which was said by the representation rector Archimandrite Philipp (Vasiltsev).

The delegation was accompanied by Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon A. Zasypkin.

Addressing the guests after the memorial prayer, Archimandrite Philipp said in particular, ‘From old times Russia has relieved the weak; she is always expected to offer protection. Here in Lebanon, Russia has once again reaffirmed this historical mission by sending her rescuers to Beirut’.

He reported that among the parishioners there were victims who were left without roof because of the explosion that happened on August 4 in Beirut’s seaport. ‘By God’s mercy nobody was killed or seriously wounded’, he noted.

Father Philipp presented the head of the delegation with an icon of the Annunciation and a porcelain icon lamp.

In his response, Col.-Gen. Chupriyan thanked Father Philipp for the prayer and warm welcome. ‘The Star of Bethlehem is the symbol of Russian Emercom. It is a star of hope and salvation under which we all were born’, he continued, ‘Russian rescuers love their motherland and are of benefit to people everywhere, including in Lebanon’.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5679204.html






Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church meets for its regular session



17 August 2020 - 22:17







On August 17, 2020, after the solemn Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Kiev Laura of the Dormition on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the enthronement of His Beatitude Onufriy, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church met under the chairmanship of the Primate.

In 2020, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church marks the 30th anniversary of the granting of a Charter of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia that gave the UOC the status of an independent and self-governed Church with broad rights of autonomy. The Holy Synod reaffirmed the importance of this Charter as a prerequisite for the salvific work of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the independent Ukrainian State. The UOC Synod also called upon church scholars to examine the history of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church since 1990 and instructed the Kiev Theological Academy to draft an up-to-date educational aid on the history of Orthodoxy in the Ukrainian lands.

Having heard a report of His Beatitude on the humanitarian catastrophe that happened on August 4, 2020 in Lebanon, the Holy Synod decided to carry out a fundraising in all the dioceses of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to give aid to the fraternal Orthodox Church of Antioch.

The UOC Synod agreed to continue peace-making initiatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for the cessation of the armed conflict in Donbas. In this connection, it was agreed to hold a People of Peace forum in September 2020 at the Laura of the Holy Dormition in Svyatogorsk.

The Holy Synod also considered a number of matters concerning the ordering of internal life in UOC dioceses and agreed to appoint a new administrator of the diocese of Cherkassk and to elect new vicar bishops for the dioceses of Chernovtsy, Severodonetsk and Nezhin.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5679212.html






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Patriarchal Service on the Day of Remembrance of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the Alexander Nevsky Monastery (August 1, 2020)


















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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
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Patriarchal service on the day of remembrance of the prophet of God Elijah in the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky lane in Moscow (2 August 2020)

































ц






























































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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
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Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church meets with a delegation of the Patriarchate of Antioch



21 August 2020 - 12:25







On August 20, 2020, the chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary met with Metropolitan Basil of Accra, Orthodox Church of Antioch, who was accompanied by Archimandrite Alexis (Fadi). According to the Union of Orthodox Journalists, the archpastor notified of this in his page on Facebook.

Participating in the meeting were also Metropolitan Varsonosfiy of Vinnitsa and Bar and Archpriest Nikolay Danilevich, deputy head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The hierarchs exchanged opinions about the church life in Ukraine and Lebanon.

Metropolitan Anthony informed the guest about the recent decision of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to raise funds for the Orthodox Church of Antioch in connection with the disaster that happened on August 4 at the port of Beirut.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5682083.html






Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: We cannot remain indifferent to such sad facts



23 August 2020 - 16:43







Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, gave a comment to RIA Novosti news agency about the decision taken by the Turkish authorities on 20th August 2020 to return the mosque status to one more former Orthodox church – the Church of the Saviour in Chora (Kariye Mosque).

“Today the mass media have spread the news about the conversion into a mosque of yet another Orthodox church in the territory of Turkey – the Church of the Saviour in Chora that has been functioning as a museum since 1945.

“Just like Hagia Sophia, the Church of Christ the Saviour in the Fields from the ensemble of the monastery in Chora has the status of UNESCO world heritage site. It has preserved its original form better than other Byzantine churches in Istanbul. The church’s splendid mosaics and frescoes are outstanding examples of the Palaiologan Renaissance in the Byzantine art. Obviously, they will also be unavailable for viewing, just like it was done with mosaics of Hagia Sophia, despite the assurances of the Turkish authorities that they would be available to visitors at any time except the hours of Muslim prayer.

“It is sorrowful to see how emphatically the current leadership of Turkey disregards the religious feelings of Christians all over the world. It is difficult to justify such disregard by reasonable arguments. It is unlikely that trampling on the priceless Byzantine cultural heritage can be advantageous to the Turkish state. And such steps will surely not help maintain the international reputation of Turkey or strengthen interfaith accord in this country.

“The Russian culture and history are linked by bonds of succession with the glorious past of the Eastern Roman Empire, and therefore, we cannot remain indifferent to such sad facts.”




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5681788.html






Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem receives in audience Mother Superior Yekaterina of Gorny Convent



24 August 2020 - 16:29







On 24 August 2020, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, met with head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem Archimandrite Alexander (Yelisov) and introduced to him Mother Superior of the Gorny Convent Yekaterina (Chernysheva), Patriarchia.ru reports with reference to the website of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.

They were joined in their talk by Hieromonk Dometian (Markarian), deputy head of the mission, and the mission secretary Hegumen Nikon (Golovko).

During the meeting, which took place at the Lesser Throne Hall, the head of the mission asked Patriarch Theophilos to take the new mother superior of the Russian convent in the Holy Land under his patronage with love and paternal care.

In his response, His Beatitude wished Sister Yekaterina God’s blessing upon her new important task assuring her that the episcopate of the Church of Jerusalem, the Brotherhood of the Lord’s Sepulchre and he personally would be always ready to help her in solving all the vital problems involved in her service in the Holy Land.

After that Sister Yekaterina visited the Church of the Lord’s Sepulchre and venerated its shrines.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5682089.html






Patriarch Kirill chairs a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church



25 August 2020 - 11:58






On August 25, 2020, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has met for its regular session at St. Daniel Monastery in Moscow. It is chaired by His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.




















Opening the session, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church made introductory remarks:




















‘Thank you for having come to the city of Moscow despite the communication complexities caused both by the epidemics and generally by the difficult circumstances through which our peoples are passing including the peoples in the countries that some members of our Synod represent as far as the Church is concerned. Nevertheless, life continues living; new problems are arising, sometimes quite complex, which we are to solve today. Therefore, I thank you all for having come to Moscow. May the Lord help us to make decisions we are to discuss’, His Holiness said.




















Then the chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, first patriarchal vicar and chairman of the patriarchal working group for coordinating the work of church institution in the situation of the spread of the coronavirus infection, Metropolitan Dionisy of Voskresensk, made a report about the Church’s work in the period of the coronavirus infection pandemic.




















The permanent members of the Holy Synod are Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine; Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna; Metropolitan Vladimir of Kishinev and All Moldova; Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, head of the Metropolitanate in the Republic of Kazakhstan; Metropolitan Vikenty of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, head of the Metropolitanate of Central Asia; Metropolitan Varsonofy of St. Petersburg and Ladoga; Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavsk, Patriarchal Exarch for All Belarus; Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relations; Metropolitan Dionisiy of Voskresensk, chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate.

















The following hierarchs have been invited to attend the summer session (March-August): Metropolitan Maksimilian of Irkutsk and Angarsk; Archbishop Tikhon of Podolsk; Bishop Ignaty of Uvarovo and Kirsanov; Bishop Antoniy of Akhtubinsk and Yenotayevka; Bishop Yevgeniy of Nizhniy Taghil and Nevyansk.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5683832.html






Message of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to the episcopate, clergy, monastics and laity on the invasion of a harmful infection this year



25 August 2020 - 17:00







Praising Merciful God Who causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Mt. 5:45), the Church is ardently praying for the final deliverance of people from the harmful infection that has invaded us this year. The Holy Synod has called upon the bishops, priests, monastics and lay people not to weaken in this prayer and asked the Almighty God to grant His help to all those who are working to overcome the misfortune that has befallen the world. The sacred duty of Orthodox Christians is also to pray for the repose of those who died from the coronavirus infection and its consequences. It is with special grateful love that we will remember those clergy and laity, especially medical doctors, who, in fulfilling their duty to the end, according to the Gospel, laid down their life for their friends (cf. Jn. 15:13).

Reflecting on the causes of the disaster that has visited us, we should preserve Christian sanity, discretion and good sense. True, sorrows that often visit individuals and whole nations sometimes may be a result of human communities’ rejection of God’s protection. According to St. Paul, the first cause of every disaster that befalls the creation is the Fall as a result of which “the whole creation has been groaning right up to the present time” (Rom. 8:22). However, it is wrong to believe that human suffering is definitely linked with individual sin. “Those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?- these are the words with which the Saviour responded to the news about a disaster that befell the Holy City (Lk. 13:4), reminding them that God-given destinies are often concealed from us until the right time. The apostle warns us against rash and immature judgements, which almost always lead to some people’s haughty accusation of others and calls Christians to await humbly the full revelation of God-given destinies on the day of the Second Coming of Christ: “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God” (1 Cor. 4:5).

Nevertheless, every crisis arising in human history makes it possible for us to evaluate anew our customary way of life and to re-think the motivation of our actions. Let everyone who bears the name of Christ harken to the words of St. Ignatius the God-Bearer: “We ought to bear all things for the sake of God that He also may bear with us. Be ever becoming more zealous than what you are. Weigh carefully the times. Look for Him who is above all time, eternal and invisible, yet who became visible for our sakes; impalpable and impassible, yet who became passible on our account; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes” (Epistle to Polycarp, Ch. 3).

We can see how fragile and unreliable is comfort cherished by the modern civilization. Enjoying the gifts of God’s mercy and prosperity sent down by the Creator, regrettably we are inclined to carelessness. To a great extent, the events of this year are evidence to this carelessness. How untenable human conceit tends to be!

It is gratifying to see that in the situation of an epidemic most faithful of our Church have proved to be worthy of being called disciples of the Lord Jesus by preserving with big-hearted patience their commitment to the Gospel’s truth, taking care of those who are near and those who are far, just as it befits those who fulfil the law of Christ to carry each other’s burdens (Gal. 6:2). The pastors and faithful of our Church understood: one’s careless attitude to one’s health, which may seem to be a private affair of every person, in these days can turn out to be other people’s suffering and death. Many Orthodox Christians have preferred responsibility for the life and health of their neighbors to imprudence and self-assurance. They have fearlessly fulfilled their duty ignoring their own wishes and habitual way of life and realizing that the precautions they take in no way belittle our faith in the effectiveness of Divine Providence and sacredness of the Church’s sacraments, the most important of them being the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ.

A special test for Orthodox Christians was the limited access of lay people to participation in public worship and even the impossibility for them to come to church. This circumstance compels us to think again over the importance that church worship and common prayer of the disciples of Christ have in our life. We should cherish this gift of the Lord and value each possibility to come under the sacred protection of the house of God. True, the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in churches did not stop even in the absence of most of the flock. True, the broadcast of the worship services in the internet or on television and publication of the liturgical orders could relieve to an extent the burdens of the permanent stay of Orthodox Christians in their homes and became for them a consolation. However, according to many, the feat of a lone prayer at home proved to be not an easy action. Evidently, broadcasting in no way can replace the personal participation in a worship service, to say nothing of the fact that technical means do not provide an opportunity for the participation of a Christian in most of the sacraments of the Church, especially in the Divine Eucharist as the most important of them. The personal presence of the apostles in the upper room of the Last Supper is the irrevocable gospel’s norm of remembrance about the life-giving death of Christ and the confession of His Resurrection in the sacrament of His Body and Blood. We can never and in no way forget this norm.

The considerably limited participation of people in worship service was unprecedented for our episcopate, clergy and laity in their personal experience. Realizing that the new threat facing humanity could involve grave consequences that hardly could have been fully predicted and aware of her responsibility for the life and health of innumerable people, the Church shared people’s burdens generated by the spread of the harmful infection and called upon her faithful to refrain for a while from their habitual way of participating in the liturgical life. However, this decision adopted as it was in an extraordinary historical situation, cannot become a new norm. The freedom of conscience and freedom of faith, including the right of believers to participate in worship services even in exceptional situations should remain unshakable.

The concern of many Christians as well as people of various other beliefs for a possibility of further application of the methods used during the epidemic to ensure the necessary decrease in the intensity of personal contacts between people seems to be justified to a considerable extent. The use of digital identifiers, the automated decision-making that can involve the deprivation of individuals and whole communities of their rights, the broad collection of personal data including information about health and the processing of this data – all this demands control on the part of society, including the Church as a public institution. The Bishops’ Councils of our Church, in particular the 2013 Bishops’ Council, have repeatedly pointed to possible dangers involved in the development of technologies for recording and processing personal data.

Looking back at the past months, we underscore that no polyphony of opinions, news and rumours and differences of opinions inevitable in the modern world should tear apart Christ’s robe – His Church. Reflections on the causes of particular events in the world, joyful or sorrowful, and discussions between Christians presuppose not an exchange of claims, not setting off some against others, the less so the sawing of enmity and schism but rather mutual assistance, joint search for the way of action for the Church and her faithful in a given situation, readiness to hear and understand each other and especially to hear the conciliar voice of the Church.

The anti-epidemic measures defined by the Holy Synod should be observed further as well with reference to local situations. Attention should also be given to the resumption of studies in church educational institutions and Sunday schools while the beginning of the academic year can be put off in particular cases subject to ruling bishops’ decision depending on the epidemic situation and with due consideration for the decisions of state authorities with regard to the beginning of the academic year in secular educational institutions.

We pray for the repose of the souls of all those who did not survive the disease and its consequences. We thank the most reverend archpastors, the clergy and laity who in these not easy days have not abandoned their work for the glory of the Triune God. May the Lord reward all of you for your zealous work to glorify His Holy Name, for your love for His Church, for your divine worship, for your effective help to your neighbours? We send special words of gratitude to medical and social workers, staff members of law-enforcement bodies, municipal civil servants, utility workers, volunteers and our many other brothers and sisters who worked to relieve the suffering of the ill and took care of those who could not take care of themselves.

May God’s blessing be with all of us!




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5682126.html






Bishop Veniamin of Borisov and Maryina Horka appointed Patriarchal Exarch for All Belarus



25 August 2020 - 17:41







During its meeting on August 25, 2020 chaired by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church complied with a petition of Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavsk to relieve him of this duty as Patriarchal Exarch for All Belarus. The Synod resolved that His Eminence be appointed as Metropolitan of Yekaterinodar and Kuban, head of the Metropolis of Kuban, and that His Eminence Pavel be thanked for the work he had carried out.

The Holy Synod resolved that the Right Rev. Bishop Veniamin of Borisov and Maryina Horka be appointed Patriarchal Exarch for All Belarus and Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavsk while remaining the temporary administrator of the Diocese of Borisov.

The meeting also heard a report of Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavsk on the earlier meeting of the Synod of the Belorussian Exarchate. Having expressed its concern for the situation in Belarus, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church approved a recent message of the Synod of the Belorussian Exarchate to the people on the need to stop the confrontation, pointing to the importance “of preserving church unity in historic Rus’ in a situation of an aggravation of the socio-political conflicts”.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5684231.html






Bishop Veniamin of Minsk: Today spiritual struggle is going on for our Motherland



27 August 2020 - 13:24







On August 26, 2020, the Day of the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God, Bishop Veniamin, elected Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavsk, Patriarchal Exarch for All Belarus, addressed himself to the faithful of the Belorussian Orthodox Church with an archpastoral homily.

“O Virgin the Hodegetria, full of grace and charity,
Rejoice, giving joy to the faithful
Rejoice, O swift helper to all those in trial and sorrow”
(Canon to the Most Holy Mother of God the Hodegetria)
Peace be to you!




My first address to you as primate of the Belorussian Orthodox Church will not be solemn and elevated. It will stem from the pain of my heart for my dear people and for our land, out of love for all of you.

Our sorrows and feelings from the time of Lent to this day are rapidly replacing each other. We are seeking an outcome and still cannot find it. But what did our pious ancestors do in such cases and what do saints teach us? What does the spiritual comprehension of the developments lie in?

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” (Clive Lewis). We have to bring peace back to our land and to our hearts.

In these last day of the Dormition Fast devoted to the remembrance of the last days of the Most Holy Mother of God on earth, I call upon all Christians to observe the fast strictly and to prolong it for three days. When the old city of Nineveh was facing a threat, all its people assigned themselves and even animals a fast, and God’s mercy came (Jonah 3:5-10). During our fasting let us intensify our prayer, common and individual, for Belarus. In churches and churchyards let us unite for a common prayer, kindle the icon-lamps of ardent prayer for the whole Belarus in each home.

One more important thing without which there can be no return of peace is repentance for committed sins. Let us recall that the Greek word metanoia translated traditionally as ‘repentance’ literarily means ‘a change of mind’. The Church of Christ calls each of us to become aware of our sins, to fill ourselves with desire for their forgiveness, to resort to the sacrament of Confession and, most importantly, to bring forth fruits meet for repentance (Mt. 3:8) – to redress the committed sin and its negative consequences. The change of minds, the change of hearts from evil to good, from falsehood to truth, from division to unity, from condemnation to understanding – these are the changes so much needed by our society in the first place.

All of us, Orthodox believers, are aware of the power of common prayer and aware that, along with outward confrontation, what is going on is a spiritual struggle for our Motherland and in the heart of each of us we are called to intensify our prayer with eagerness and daring, faith, hope and love for God and our neighbors. This unity in common prayer and love according to the faith and the law of Christ has always been an inalienable rule in White Rus’ in overcoming various misfortunes, sorrows, illnesses and troubles.

The recent sorrowful events in our Motherland have happened because our hearts have bent to an evil side, because the light of Christ could not shine forth in this dark time when a sin of lawlessness was manifested.

I believe that if we fulfil with inspiration, zeal and unanimity our intention to spend these three days fasting, praying and repenting, then we will quickly see a response from Heaven and understanding what we, people of Belarus, are to do to defeat evil by good and prevent evil in future.

The Gospel says: ‘Come and see!’ (Jn. 1:46), I ask you, dear brothers and sisters, ‘let us come to the Lord and see’. Indeed, not all the Orthodox Christians observe fasts nowadays; many have not purified their soul with repentance for a long time. The desire to make one’s life better is quite natural for a person but when one fails to call for help from above while exerting only human efforts, then the result will be the same as that of the builders of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9). Let us begin our journey for the good of the Motherland on the day of the old shrine of Belarus and the whole Orthodox world – the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God, whose image on the emblem of our capital city is like a commandment from previous generations to venerate the Mother of God, to solicit Her help and protection. The Lord will always hear our Intercessor and Protectress – the Most Holy Mother of God as He heard her in Cana of Galilee, though His time had not yet come to openly work wonders and mercies for His people.

“We have no other help, no other hope except you, the Queen. Help us; you are our hope and we praise you, for we are your slaves; let us not be ashamed of it!”

May the Lord and the Mother of God and the saints always be with us, especially now in our good first joint initiative!


+Bishop Veniamin, elected Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavsk, Patriarchal Exarch for All Belarus




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5683807.html






Patriarch Kirill congratulates the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church on his 90th birthday



28 August 2020 - 10:00







The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church congratulates His Holiness Irinej, Patriarch of Serbia, on his 90th birthday.



His Holiness Irinej, Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, Patriarch of Serbia

Your Holiness, Beloved Brother and Concelebrant at God’s altar,

Kindly accept my cordial congratulations on your 90th birthday.

Honoring Your Holiness on this significant day, I repeat the inspiring scriptural words that befit the occasion: “Gray hair is a crown of glory, if it is attained in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).

Being one of the oldest First Hierarchs, you have gained special authority among the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches. With your inherent Primatial wisdom and feeling of responsibility you serve to the unity of Orthodoxy and vigilantly guard the two millennia-old canonical order in the Church of Christ which is “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).

The zealous and sacrificial ministry of Your Holiness on the old and glorious Patriarchal See of Pec, filled with paternal concern for the spiritual revival of the co-religious Serbian people so dear to our heart, is abundant, as St. Paul said, by many thanksgivings unto God (2 Cor. 9:12). By the Pantocrator’s providence, you are destined to be at the helm of the Church of St. Sava at a very difficult time marked with trials new for her, especially in Kosovo and Montenegro. In sorrows and joys you and your God-loving flock are always accompanied by the prayerful support of the hierarchy, clergy, monastics and the entire Russian Orthodox Church.

Your Holiness, on this glorious day of your celebration, from my heart I would like to wish you abundant physical strength for many years, peace and inexhaustible help from above in your further Patriarchal ministry performed so diligently for the glory of the Consubstantial and Undivided Trinity.

With brotherly love in Jesus Christ,


+KIRILL PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5684014.html
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The great consecration of the Nikolsky Church in Krasnogorsk near Moscow (August 16, 2020) - PART I












































































































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The great consecration of the Nikolsky Church in Krasnogorsk near Moscow (August 16, 2020) - PART II












































































































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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
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Meeting of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia



2 September 2020 - 16:07







On September 2, 2020, the Synod of the Patriarchate Exarchate of South-East Asia met at the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity at Ostankino, Moscow. It was chaired by Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia.

The Synod meeting was attended by Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi and Archbishop Feofan of Korea.

The Synod expressed filial gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church for their attention to the fate of Orthodoxy in Asia, to the development of the life of church communities and to the ordering of their canonical existence expressed, among other things, in the election of the vicar of the diocese of Singapore. The archpastors welcomed the newly consecrated Bishop Pitirim of Jakarta, who took part in the Synod meeting at the invitation of the Patriarchal Exarch in advisory capacity under Article 7 of the Internal Provision for the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia.

The meeting considered a wide range of issues concerning the life of the Patriarchal Exarchate.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5686749.html






Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia meets with Ambassador of Singapore to Russia



3 September 2020 - 18:39







On 3rd September 2020, Metropolitan Sergy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, visited the Embassy of Singapore in Moscow, where he met with H.E. Mr. Premjith Sadasivan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to the Russian Federation.

Taking part in the meeting were also Bishop Pitirim of Jakarta, vicar of the Singapore diocese; Mr. Seah Seow Chen, deputy chief of the Singaporean diplomatic mission; and Mr. Dmitry Petrovsky, staff member of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations.

Metropolitan Sergy and Mr. Sadasivan exchanged opinions on the development of the Russia-Singapore relations in the humanitarian sphere, emphasizing the importance of construction of the Russian cultural centre and a Russian Orthodox church in Singapore. “Devoting attention to the implementation of this project are the heads of our two countries – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,” the Ambassador of Singapore noted.

Mr. Sadasivan congratulated Bishop Pitirim on his episcopal consecration and wished him success in his service in Asia.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5687299.html






His Holiness Patriarch Kirill elevates Bishop Veniamin, newly elected Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, to the rank of metropolitan



6 September 2020 - 14:35






On 6th September 2020, 13th Sunday after Pentecost, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. Participating in the divine service was a delegation of hierarchs, clergymen, monastics and laypeople of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.























In compliance with the resolution of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 25th August 2020 (Minutes No. 46), during the Little Entrance His Holiness Patriarch Kirill performed the rite of elevation of His Grace Veniamin, the newly elected Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, to the rank of metropolitan.


























The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church read out the following decree:


























“To His Grace Veniamin, Bishop of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus


























“In view of your appointment as Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus (resolution of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 25th August 2020, Minutes No. 46), you are elevated to the rank of metropolitan and granted the right of wearing a second panagia in the territory of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.”


























After the Liturgy Patriarch Kirill addressed Metropolitan Veniamin, saying in particular:


























“I am glad that the lot of being elected to the See of Metropolitans of Minsk has fallen on you. And I am glad that you were unanimously elected at a session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, that there was nobody who would say, ‘Let us wait,’ ‘Let us think, maybe there is someone else who will also be up to this.”


























“The unanimity of the Holy Synod is a sign of great trust in you, and this trust is based not just on personal sympathies. This trust is based on what we know about your life, your work, your views on the present-day church problems. Yet, the main thing is that we know about your sincere and earnest vocation to be a clergyman, and we hope that at this difficult time, for the White Rus’ as well, you will have wisdom and spiritual strength to lead your people so that all kinds of divisions which can be irrevocably harmful to their spiritual and national life may be avoided and so that peace, as well as justice may triumph in the Belarusian society.























“May the Lord help you wisely perform you service for the sake of salvation and bear in mind the archpastors who are now under your guidance, as well as the clergy and all the pious Belarusian people. I would like to present you with these symbols of your ministry, a cross and two panagias, which you have the right to wear in the territory of the Belarusian Church in remembrance to what, by the mercy of God, has occurred in your life today. And may the Lord Himself show you the path and support you, and may the Most Holy Theotokos preserve you under her most holy veil. Amen. Eis Polla Eti Despota!”




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5688987.html






His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with hierarchs of Belarusian Exarchate



6 September 2020 - 17:18






On 6th September 2020, in the Hall of the Supreme Church Council of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with hierarchs of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Prior to the meeting, the hierarchs participated in the Divine Liturgy, during which His Holiness elevated to the rank of metropolitan His Eminence Veniamin who had been elected Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.





Taking part in the meeting were: Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavk, Patriarcal Exarch of All Belarus; Archbishop Dimitry of Vitebsk and Orsha; Archbishop Stefan of Pinsk and Luninets; Archbishop Artemy of Grodno and Volkovysk; Archbishop Gury of Novogrudok and Slonim; Archbishop Ioann of Brest and Kobrin; Archbishop Stefan of Gomel and Zhlobin; Bishop Serafim of Bobruysk and Bykhov; Bishop Leonid of Turov and Mozyr; Bishop Pavel of Molodechno and Stolbtsy; Bishop Porfiry of Lida and Smorgon; and Bishop Ignaty of Polotsk and Glubokoye.





Among those who attended the meeting was also Metropolitan Dionisy of Voskresensk, chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, Patriarchal first vicar for the city of Moscow.





Addressing all those present, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said:

“Dear Vladykas, I once again heartily greet you.

“We are meeting in the Hall of the Supreme Church Council, and I am very glad that today you, bishops of our Church in Belarus, are sitting on the seats of the Council members. This is a special day – we have installed and robed in metropolitan’s vestment Vladyka Veniamin who was elected by the Holy Synod to head the Belarusian Exarchate, the Belarusian Orthodox Church.

“When you are placed at the head of the flock, the flock becomes your people and you are their father, and all national divisions go away. However, today the national factor in Belarus is assuming an ever more important role, and so we came to the conclusion that today the Belarusian Church is to be headed by a man who was born in Belarus, who knows the Belarusian language and was brought up in the Belarusian milieu, so that even those who strive to view in our Church something alien to Belarus, to the Belarusian culture and Belarusian life, could see that the Primate of the Belarusian Church, the head of the Exarchate, is flesh of his people’s flesh and bone of his people’s bones.

“It is my great hope and we will be praying that by your ministry, Vladyka Veniamin, you will draw the episcopate and clergy even closer together. Of course, in Belarus there are no such dangerous processes that led to the terrible division in Ukraine. The archfiend laughed at the piety of the Ukrainian people, and we see that religion has become a factor of division, instead of uniting people. The deepest division in the body of the Ukrainian people is the ecclesiastical division. It engenders all the rest. Surely, it is very important that no such thing occur in Belarus. Therefore, I call upon all of you, dear Vladykas, to support Metropolitan Veniamin, to be like-minded, to serve your people, and, certainly, to work with the youth.

“The Church must be open to people, including the youth. It is bad when an impression is created that the Orthodox Church is a club for women in their 50s and older. Some want to imagine our Church like that, but it is not true at all! In reality, the Orthodox Church is the spiritual strength of our people, and they become especially aware of that at a time of cataclysms.

“When the war began, in the godless Soviet Union people poured into churches. When persecutions against the Church intensified, people found strength to attend churches, to pray and support the Church. And now we are living at a favourable time, when no one persecutes us. We are able to work just like the Lord commands us to, just like our pastoral conscience tells us to. Therefore, I would like to once again cordially greet Vladyka Veniamin and to wish that you may worthily carry out your service as Primate of the Belarusian Church, that the episcopate may support you and that altogether you may preserve the canonical Orthodoxy in the land of Belarus and the faith in the hearts of the Belarusian people.”








Metropolitan Veniamin thanked His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, saying, in particular:

“We will do our best. And, Your Holiness, as a follow-up to your thought I would like to say that now is a favourable time also because earlier our people were engrossed in the vanity of their lives, in seeking worldly blessings, prosperous life or good vacation, and did not think much about the life to come. However, the pandemic and later the internal sorrow which befell our homeland have urged people to think about and seek, first of all, the Heavenly Kingdom, and may all the rest come too.

“I believe that now is a very favourable moment to speak about these things, so that everyone may hear and good changes may take place. And, perhaps, it will be more difficult to do later, if we miss this chance.”





Discussed during the meeting were various issues of church life in the Republic of Belarus.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5688991.html
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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old September 11th, 2020 #78
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Patriarchal service on the eve of the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (August 18, 2020)

















































































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On commemoration day of Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) Patriarchal parishes in the USA and Canada celebrate 50th anniversary of their foundation



7 September 2020 - 15:55







On September 5-6, 2020, the clergy and faithful of the Patriarchal parishes in the United States, Canada and Mexico prayerfully marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the special union of parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate on the North American continent, website of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Patriarchal parishes in the USA reports.

The celebration was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the repose of the first Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, the ever-memorable Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) – legendary hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in the 20th Century, thanks to whom, the crisis of the relationship of the Church in the Fatherland with the North American Metropolia was overcome. By granting the latter the right of autocephaly and recognizing the full canonical responsibility of the Orthodox Church in America for the organization of church life in the countries of North America, the Russian Orthodox Church had defined a new status for those parishes in the USA and Canada that expressed their desire to remain under the jurisdiction of the Most Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. United on a territorial basis in special districts, they began to be called the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada.

Due to the continued epidemiological situation and the various restrictions imposed by it, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, previously planned services and jubilee events were postponed until the end of the quarantine.

On September 6, Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA, Canada and Mexico during which special petitions were offered, giving thanks to God for His blessings upon the clergy and spiritual children of the Russian Orthodox Church on the American continent, as well as commemorating the departed archpastors, clergy and faithful of the Patriarchal Parishes.

At the conclusion of the divine service, the Epistle of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh was read out in all the parishes of Moscow Patriarchate in the USA, Canada and Mexico, which said in particular:

“Today, we prayerfully remember the 42nd anniversary of the blessed repose of Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov), the first Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada. The life of the Patriarchal Parishes is inspired by the archpastoral instruction and personal example of this outstanding hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, who stood at the origins of new ecclesiastical life in North America.

“We give thanks to the Lord and Giver of all blessings for His mercies shown to us. With love and gratitude, we prayerfully honor the memory of all who have labored for Holy Orthodoxy in the countries of North America: hierarchs, clergy of all ranks, members of parish committees and councils, choir directors and chanters, Sunday school teachers, members of brotherhoods and sisterhoods.

“Today, celebrating the 50th anniversary in the difficult conditions of modern life and the trials facing all of mankind, following the example of our devout and pious predecessors, let us be courageous and strong so that in accordance with the words of the apostles, we may have common joy to praise God and be in favor among all the people, so that the Lord may add daily those to the Church who are being saved (Acts 2:47).

On the same Sunday, during the Divine Liturgy in the Dormition Diocesan Cathedral in London, Bishop Matthew prayerfully commemorated his predecessor the archpastors in the North American land, and also prayed for the health and God’s help for the ministry of clergy and laity of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Canada and Mexico.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5689007.html






Archbishop Theophanes of Korea meets with Korea’s ambassador to Russia



8 September 2020 - 15:56







On September 8, 2020, Archbishop Theophanes of Korea met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Lee Sok-bae of the Republic of Korea to the Russian Federation.

They discussed a wide range of issues concerning the Russian-Korean humanitarian cooperation. Archbishop Theophanes introduced the diplomat to the work of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Korea.

Participating in the meeting were D. I. Petrovsky, Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Ms. Lee Gyu-Hyun, second secretary of the embassy.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5689145.html






Negotiations between Patriarchal Exarch for South-East Asia and Singapore’s minister for foreign affairs



8 September 2020 - 19:12







On September 8, 2020, a videoconference was held between Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia, Patriarchate Exarch for South-East Asia, and Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, minister for foreign affairs of the Republic of Singapore.

During the talk, which was held in a warm atmosphere, the sides discussed the construction of a Russian cultural center and a church of the Russian Orthodox Church in Singapore, as well as some topics concerning the Russia-Singapore cooperation in the religious sphere.

The first stone of the religious-cultural compound was laid in Singapore on November 13, 2018, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Singapore Ms. President of Singapore Ms Halimah Yacob.




The source of information - http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5689149.html






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Meeting of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill with seminarians from Indonesia and the Philippines (19 August 2020)













Patriarchal service on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Consecration of Archimandrite Iosif (Korolev) as Bishop of Tarusa (19 August 2020) - PART I











































































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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old September 12th, 2020 #80
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Patriarchal service on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Consecration of Archimandrite Iosif (Korolev) as Bishop of Tarusa (19 August 2020) - PART II















































































































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