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Devoional Thoughts for the Sunday before Pentecost - 20th May 2012
Malankara News - May 19, 2012 - 12:52pm
Reading: From the Gospel according to St. John 17: 13- 26; Dear and Respected Brethren,New York Classical Music Concert held on Sunday, May 13, 2012
Malankara News - May 19, 2012 - 12:49pm
A Classical Music Concert was held on Sunday, May 13, 2012 in New York,വി.ഗീവര്ഗീസ് സഹദായുടെ ഓര്മ്മപെരുന്നാളും പാരീഷ് മിഷനും
Malankara News - May 19, 2012 - 12:44pm
വയലത്തല: മാര് സേവേറിയോസ് സ്ളീബാ ഓര്ത്തഡോക്സ് വലിയപളളിയിലെ Photo Galleryപ്രതിഷേധിച്ചു
Malankara News - May 19, 2012 - 11:29am
പിറവം: പാമ്പാക്കുട വലിയപള്ളി വികാരി സഭാ വൈദിക ട്രസ്റ്റി ഫാ. ജോണ്സ് എബ്രഹാം കോനാട്ടിനെശതാബ്ദി സമ്മേളനം കാതോലിക്കാ ബാവയെ സ്വീകരിക്കാന് രഥം അണിഞ്ഞൊരുങ്ങുന്നു
Malankara News - May 19, 2012 - 11:23am
കുന്നംകുളം: ഓര്ത്തഡോക്സ് സഭയുടെ കാതോലിക്കേറ്റ് ശതാബ്ദിയാഘോഷത്തിനെത്തുന്ന കാതോലിക്കാ ബാവയെകാതോലിക്കേറ്റ് ശതാബ്ദി നാളെ; ദീപശിഖാ പ്രയാണം ഇന്ന്
Malankara News - May 19, 2012 - 11:20am
കുന്നംകുളം:ഓര്ത്തഡോക്സ് സഭയുടെ കാതോലിക്കേറ്റ് ശതാബ്ദി ആഘോഷങ്ങളുടെ ഭാഗമായിAnnual Protest Vigil at the Eritrean Embassy in London
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 19, 2012 - 1:58am
19/5/2012
The British Orthodox Church
Read OCP Article on Persecution of Christians in Eritrea: The Detained Patriarch, Persecuted Christians and a Dying Church
On 17 May, what has sadly become the annual Protest Vigil at the Eritrean Embassy in Islington, London , appropriately took as its motto, “Ten Years is too long.” As on previous occasions the protesters took up their position on the pavement opposite the embassy. They represented a wide rank of Christian denominations as well as of several human rights groups (Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Release International, Release Eritrea, Church on Chains, Human Rights Concern Eritrea) who came together to pray for the persecuted Christians of Eritrea and their government.
A large number of the banners portrayed His Holiness Abune Antonios, the imprisoned Patriarch of Eritrea. Abba Seraphim was joined by the Bishop of Southwark (The Right Rev’d Christopher Chessum), Father Yonas Tesheme (Sheffield) and Deacon Joannes Gebrehiwet (Manchester) with a number of other deacons representing the Eritrean Orthodox Diocese of Europe. Speakers and Prayers were led by Abba Seraphim, Andy Dipper (Release International), Dr. Berhane Ashmelesh (Release Eritrea), David Turner (Church in Chains), Elsa Chyrum (Human Rights Concern Eritrea), Selam Kidane (Release Eritrea), Dr. Khataza Gondwe (CSW). At the end of the vigil a letter, signed on behalf of the whole group by Abba Seraphim and Bishop Christopher, was delivered to the Ambassador. The two bishops and Dr. Berhane were kept waiting at the door and when the Metropolitan Police tried to find an Embassy official to whom they could deliver it, they were at first ignored and then rudely shouted at and told to go away. Eventually the police delivered the letter on their behalf.
ഓര്ത്തഡോക്സ് സഭ പ്രതിഷേധ ദിനം ആചരിക്കും
Malankara News - May 18, 2012 - 7:15pm
കണ്ടനാട് ഈസ്റ്റ് ഭദ്രാസനത്തിലെ മാമലശ്ശേരി മാര് മിഖായേല് പള്ളിയില് വിശുദ്ധ കുര്ബ്ബാന അര്പ്പിക്കുവാന് എത്തിയ സഭ വൈദിക ട്രെസ്റ്റി ഫാ. ഡോ. ജോണ്സ് എബ്രഹാം കോനാട്ടിനെ ആക്രമിക്കുകയും
Orthodox Metropolitan Violate Holy Cannons – Reports (Updated)
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 5:51pm
Orthodox Metropolitan Augustine receiving a blessing with sacramental oil from a Roman Catholic prelate. This is a gross violation of the Holy Canons of the Orthodox Church.
The Orthodox Metropolitan participated in the non-Orthodox liturgical service. Metropolitan kissing the book after having read the Gospel--his part in the joint liturgical service.Another gross violation of the Holy Canons.
The function was even attended by female Priestess
18/5/2012
It has been reported by various sources that Orthodox Metropolitan Augustine of Germany of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has violated the holy cannons of the Orthodox Church by receiving sacramental oil from a Roman Catholic prelate as well taking part in non-orthodox liturgical services during an ecumenical event held on 5th may 2012, at Trier, Germany.
the event was attended by Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Roman Catholics, Anglican and several other Protestant denominations.Presence of female priestess were also very much visible.
Report by Mystagogy
Ecumenism Day (May 5) was established in Germany in 2003 to bring together divided German Christians of various denominations and churches who believe in the Holy Trinity to symbolically celebrate their mutual cooperation. This year on Ecumenism Day thousands of pilgrims gathered in Trier to venerate an alleged robe of Christ, probably of medieval origin, which is seamless and came to symbolize on this day the seamless unity of Christians which is desired. However when the various Christian representatives, among whom was Metropolitan Augoustinos of Germany, gathered at the Basilica of Constantine, things went a little too far and the representatives got ahead of themselves with a symbolic baptism of each member by another member. They dipped their hand in water and symbolically baptized each other on the forehead with an open hand, saying: “You are baptized in the Name of the Triune God”.
Then, as a reminder of the theme of the pilgrimage, a white baptismal stole with the theme written on it was put on each representative. This was done to Metropolitan Augoustinos by a Cardinal of the Catholic Church. Such are the unfortunate situations an Orthodox participant can get into when Ecumenism goes too far and the program is beyond their control and not properly evaluated beforehand to avoid a scandalous incident.
Fifth Anniversary of Reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 1:05pm
Signing the Act of Canonical Communion by Late Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia and late Metropolitan Larus, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.
Moscow Time
17/5/2012
Milena Faustova
Fifth Anniversary of Reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church(Moscow Patriarchate) and Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCR)
Five years together
Today, the Russian Orthodox Church is marking one of the most significant days in its history. Five years ago, the Act of Canonical Communion between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia was signed in the main Russian cathedral, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The signing of this historic document put an end to the almost century-long rift between the Churches and united Russian people scattered by fate over different continents.
It was difficult to overcome that spiritual alienation but it was important for both Churches and all believers in the world, Deputy Chairman of the International Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, priest Nikolay Balashov says.
“It was hard to imagine ten years ago that we would pray and take communion together and nothing would separate us. And now it is hard to believe that only five years ago we had no opportunity to perform the Divine Liturgy together and receive communion from one cup because so many things separated us. This is a great happy day in the history of the Russian Church and the history of Russia because the reunion of the Church became the end of the civil war.”
After the 1917 revolutionary coup, many priests had to emigrate because the Bolshevik government did not recognize the Church. Russian priests set up their own Church in the countries where they emigrated. In 1927, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia broke all links with the Moscow Patriarchate because priests who had stayed in Russia were compelled to maintain relations with the atheist authorities.
Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and Metropolitan Laurus of East America and New York became the initiators of the process of overcoming the rift and signing a document of unity between the Churches in 2007. Still, some more years passed before the rift was overcome not only on paper but in people’s souls, press-secretary of the head of the Russian Church Outside of Russia, priest Seraphim Gan believes.
“At first many people doubted the need for a communion but later their attitude changed. They began to travel to Russia, visit the holy places and talk to priests and parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church. Now many of them are reviewing their attitude towards the Moscow Patriarchate.”
Today, the leaders of the united Russian Orthodox Church are facing a difficult and important task. The fortitude of the Russian Orthodox Church all over the world depends on fulfilling this task, Russian theologian Yuri Tabak says.
“The rift cannot be completely overcome before both Churches set down certain historical facts associated with the rift. This is hard to achieve, as it implies providing answers to several questions. What is the degree of the Church’s independence and how flexible should the Church be to survive under a regime which persecutes it? Did Bishop Sergiy who recognized the Soviet power have an alternative? Was that step justified by the need to save the Church or was it evidence of weakness? Full unity of the Churches cannot be achieved before answers to these questions are found.
A delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia headed by its first Hierarch, Metropolitan Hilarion of East America and New York will take part in the celebrations on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of signing the Act of Canonical Communion in Moscow. The delegation will visit the notorious Butovo firing range in Moscow where tens of thousands of people were shot down in the first decades of the Soviet rule, and will perform a remembrance rite for Patriarch Alexy II. After visiting Moscow, the delegation is expected to proceed to the Diveevo Convent and St. Petersburg.
Russian Church slams reported attack on Serbian monk in Kosovo
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 12:43pm
Moscow, May 17, Interfax – A group of young ethnic Albanians beat up and hurled stones at a monk at a Serbian Orthodox monastery in Kosovo, the Russian Orthodox Church said on Thursday.
The Monastery of Saints Cosmas and Damian near the town of Orahovac, the site of the attack, is officially under the protection of the Kosovo police.
The assault on monk Dionisije was the latest in a series of incidents “that have marred the life of Orthodox believers in [Kosovo] province over the past few months,” the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations said in a statement.
“The assault was perpetrated three hours after the monastery was visited by the commander of the German contingent of the Kosovo Force, and this makes this extremist act even more brazen,” it said.
On the day of the incident, an allegedly terrorist ethnic Albanian group disseminated leaflets with threats of violence against ethnic Serbs who refuse to leave Kosovo.
“The beating up of monk Dionisije has given rise to concern in the Russian Orthodox Church. The incident must receive an appropriate legal qualification and become one more reminder of the need for measures to protect the churches and monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church,” the department said.
Sassounian: Armenians in Egypt: Dwindling Yet Resilient in a Country in Turmoil
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 12:33pm
The Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator is one of two Armenian churches in Cairo and the only Armenian Apostolic Church in the city. The church was erected in 1928, after four years of construction, by prominent Armenian architect Levon Nafilian. The church embodies the two archetypes of classical Armenian architecture: employing stone materials and topped with a conical dome.
Harut Sassounian
16/5/2012
I just returned from a fascinating trip to Egypt. The Primate of the Armenian Church had invited me on behalf of the Diocesan Council to deliver the keynote address at the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. I accepted the invitation with some trepidation given the ongoing turmoil in Egypt since the toppling of the 40-year despotic rule of President Hosni Mubarak. Bishop Ashot Mnatsakanyan had reassured me that the situation in the country was peaceful, and that the community was looking forward to my visit, as they have been reading my weekly columns in local Armenian newspapers.
Upon my arrival in Cairo, I visited the Diocesan headquarters and the Armenian Embassy, where I encountered a familiar face. Amb. Armen Melkonian, an old friend, had served as the consul general of Armenia in Los Angeles a decade ago. After a pleasant lunch with the Primate and the ambassador on a restaurant-ship on the Nile, I spent the afternoon at a massive shopping mall in Cairo buying new clothes, as my suitcase was left behind in London by British Airways. I refrained from purchasing items that carried the “Made in Turkey” label.
Cairo is a highly congested city of 17 million. It takes more than an hour to travel a short distance. Most traffic lights do not work and no police are seen in the streets. The most shocking site in Cairo is the “City of the Dead,” a cemetery where tens of thousands of people live among the tombs. Amazingly, thousands of satellite dishes are perched on the tombs! One wonders how the destitute residents of the cemetery can afford satellite TV?
In the evening of April 28, I spoke at the Armenian Genocide commemoration in Cairo on the topic, “Genocide Recognition or Pursuit of Justice?” The next day, I traveled to the historic city of Alexandria where I delivered similar remarks at the commemorative event organized by the Armenian community.
Returning to Cairo, I participated in a town-hall meeting on May 2, during which community members questioned me on contemporary Armenian issues. The inevitable question that almost always comes up during my talks was, not surprisingly, also raised in Cairo and Alexandria: “Do Armenians lose their rights for genocide restitution after 100 years?” My answer was a firm NO. There are no statutes of limitation on the crime of genocide under international law.
One of the highlights of the trip was the reception dedicated to the printing of my Arabic book in Cairo, originally published in Beirut, titled The Armenian Genocide: The World Speaks Out: 1915-2005, Documents and Declarations. The book signing ceremony was held at the Armenian Embassy in the presence of representatives from other embassies, members of the Egyptian media, scholars from local universities, Armenian community leaders, and members of the clergy. Brief remarks were made by Melkonian and Prof. Mohammad Rifa’at al-Imam, who wrote the introduction to the Egyptian edition of the book, followed by my concluding comments. While in Cairo I gave a number of interviews published in Arabic, English, and Armenian in the local press.
I had the pleasure of visiting colleagues at Housaper and Arev Armenian newspapers. I also paid a heart-breaking visit to the Kalousdian School, which was days away from shutting its doors due to a shortage of students after serving the educational needs of the community for more than 150 years. The Kalousdian School will be merging with the Noubarian School in Cairo.
While the Armenian community is safe in Egypt, it is struggling to cope with the uncertainties of a country slowly transitioning from military to civilian rule. The newly formed parliament, dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists, may be disbanded and replaced with a more representative body. Later this month, Egyptians have the opportunity to elect a president who could take bold initiatives to begin healing their ancient and glorious country’s many ills.
In recent years, a large number of Armenians left Egypt for greener pastures in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Yet, those who have remained are doing their utmost to cling to their language, religion, and ethnic traditions. Fortunately, local Armenian organizations can benefit from vast real-estate holdings bequeathed to them decades ago by Armenians who were wealthy businessmen and high-ranking Egyptian government officials.
It is incumbent on the government of Armenia and Armenians worldwide to extend a helping hand to their compatriots in Cairo and Alexandria and not allow these once-vibrant communities to turn into ghost towns with extensive resources that only a few would enjoy.
Keeping Faith in Georgia: Tbilisi Armenians struggle to save their crumbling churches from neglect
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 12:24pm
By GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
15/5/2012
The collapse of the bell tower of the Armenian St. Nshan Church in Tbilisi Sunday night again reminded the local Armenian community about the defenseless status that Armenian churches have in Georgia.
While the main reasons for the collapse is considered to be an earthquake that hit the territory a few days before as well as unprecedented showers during the past few days in the Georgian capital, specialists still consider that had repairs been done in time it would perhaps have been possible to avoid such a situation. The Armenian side has long accused Georgians of neglecting the condition of the church and sought to take possession of it in order to make all necessary restoration works.
An estimated 300,000 ethnic Armenians live in Georgia where there are also more than 300 Armenian churches. Only 40 of these churches, however, are operating ones. St. Nshan Church is one of the six churches that are a matter of dispute between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Georgian Orthodox Church (the others are St. Norashen, Mughnetsots St. Gevorg, Yerevantsots St. Minas, Shamkoretsots Surb Astvatsatsin (St. Mary) and St. Nshan in Akhaltsikhe).
Still in July where the status of legal entities was granted to a number of religious organizations operating in Georgia, including to the diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, it seemed that the situation would somehow be settled, however the poor condition of local Armenian churches still remains a matter of contention.
St. Norashen Church built in 1467 is in the center of Tbilisi (in Leselidze Street, the old Armenian market, sharing the yard with (former Greek) Orthodox monastery Jvris Mamis, has been locked already for many years. While the church still stands, the wide cracks on its walls do not bode well for the construction.
The Yerevantsots St. Minas Church, which was built in 1790 in Tbilisi’s Armenian Havlabar district is in an even poorer condition. Inside the walls of the half-dilapidated church almost nothing reminds of its former magnificent self. Today this church is more used as a storage for residents of the neighboring to keep their old, useless and forgotten items. Plastic bags with garbage are dumped on its altar.
“The diocese was registered as a legal entity, but now we must try to register all our churches and get them back in order to maintain them in good order. For this purpose we are drawing up a list of our churches with all historical bases,” says Fr. Vazgen, a local Armenian priest, adding that the matter concerns hundreds of cathedrals that do not function today, are in a half-ruined condition and have been Georgianized.
While the Armenian side is taking steps to recover its historical heritage, two Armenian churches in Tbilisi continue to function for the local Armenian community.
In one of Tbilisi’s central squares there is the St. Gevorg Church. Last Sunday it had attracted more people for the service than usual. The thing is that the Liturgy was performed by Fr. Tachat Davidian, who is the spiritual head of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese’s Youth Association. A pilgrimage from Armenia to Georgia was organized on that occasion (with the author of this article accompanying the group).
Armenians of Tbilisi had been gathering in the church yard from early in the morning to attend the service.
“An Armenian always needs spiritual food, and the church, especially for those living outside Armenia, becomes a connecting link. It is very pleasant to guests coming from the homeland,” said 52-year-old Tbilisi resident Tariel Mirzoyan, who says he attends church every Sunday together with his grandchildren.
Fr. Samvel Torosyan, the priest at St. Echmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, told ArmeniaNow that in order to strengthen the link between the Church and the local Armenian youth a cultural and educational youth center called “Hayartun” had been established at the Armenian Church’s diocese in Georgia. There, he said, young ethnic Armenians are enabled to maintain their links to the homeland and keep their ethnic identity through participation in studies of the Armenian history, ethnic songs, dances, and other activities.
Armenian churches must be granted to Georgian Diocese of AAC – Javakhk Diaspora of Russia
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 12:17pm
16/5/2012
The Javakhk Diaspora of Russia released a statement on the situation over the Armenian church Surb Nshan in Tbilisi.
“The belfry of the church collapsed due to tremors hitting the region and heavy rains in Tbilisi recently. The church as if accidentally was in fire back in 2002 and this January as well.
Renovation works started two months ago, however, no use. We call on the Armenian community and Armenian NGOs in Georgia not to be afraid and use any possibility, including protests or other civilized measures, to support the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and preserve our sacred, cultural-historical monuments.
We call on the President, the Government and the Orthodox church of Georgia to respect spiritual-religious right of non-Georgian population,” the statement reads.
Orthodoxy and Civilization
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 12:07pm
16th May 2012
Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus annually mark the Day of the Christianization of Russia on July 28. Participants of the video bridge Moscow-Kiev-Minsk “Orthodox Church and the civilized way of Russia” spoke about preparations for celebrations in the three countries.
Vsevolod Chaplin, head of the Synod department for relations between the church and society
I hope the Day of Christianization of Russia will make more and more sense year after year. The Patriarch pays great attention to the date. As the Metropolitan, he took part in the celebrations held in Kiev. He is attentively following the celebrations which are being held now. I hope the celebration of this year will be brighter and have a more sensible bearing than it had in previous years. We wish celebrations were held in Moscow, Kiev, and Minsk and attracted many young people not only for listening to music, but also for thinking over the sense of Day of Christianization of Russia. This date says about the main thing. About much more important things than economy, politics, state management aspects. All will change, but the civilization vector of development of our people, we hope, won’t change ever. We are to establish the Eastern-Christianity civilization, which, I’m sure, has keys from the world’s future. Our civilization has keys from the future of humanity. Our Orthodox Eastern-Slavic civilization is not the most numerous, but it plays the key role. Because it knows how to open the door into a better life for the whole world, especially for Europe. It is clear that the future of Europe is not about London, Paris, or Brussels. The future of Europe lies with Kiev, Minsk, Moscow, Chisinau, Sofia, Athens, and Bucharest – countries and cities which are centers of the Eastern-Slavic civilization. Even today Kiev, Minsk, and Moscow are more European than the West of our continent. The West betrayed ideals of Rome, ideals of Christianity, betrayed Europe that was founded on Roman Law and Christian ideals, which were combined by Emperor Constantine Justinian. We should remember it and avoid following the weak-willed West and the weak-intellectual East. We shouldn’t be dependent in the world, in the world of civilizations’ dialogue. We should combine intellect and will – intellect that the East lacks and will that the West lacks. We should combine traditions and innovations, faith and life, spiritual and secular things. Our duty is to change the world in 10 years. And we can do it. Our duty is to change the system of political, economic, and cultural relations within humanity in 10 years. We can do it, because we know how. The only alternative to our way is apocalypse. And our answer, I’m sure, is the key to peaceful and harmonized future for the whole world. That is what our civilization is; and that is what we mark on Day of Christianization of Russia.
Georgy Arbuzov, prior of Church of the Resurrection in Minsk
The arrangements which will be carried out in Minsk are planned. This year I have addressed to Master Metropolitan with suggestions and have gained his blessing. We will organize an open-air concert. Today I can say that it will be in the center of the city; where exactly – we will agree with the municipal authorities. I would like to state on the direction of development of the situation in Minsk. First of all, it is work with young people. We plan to share evangel heritage, which is essential and key in development of our Orthodox civilization, with young people. What do we plan? We will hold a conference for young people and our colleagues from diocesan departments. It is difficult to say about its format, but we will invite independent observers, i.e. youth republican institutes that will participate in discussions. The topic of the conference is the mission among young people today. Moreover, we will hold exhibitions devoted to the modern life of Belarus Orthodox Church, a photo exhibition. Last year we presented to our guest the work by one of Belarus artists on Zaslava, this year we plan a photo exhibition. There is a splendid collection of works describing the short period of time of Belarus Orthodox Church. And the climax of our plans is a concert. We will be glad to welcome musicians from Moscow and Kiev at our Belarus stage.
Yuri Molchanov, member of directorate of the international organization “Day of Christianization of Russia”
There will be three concerts. They will start simultaneously in Moscow, Kiev, and Minsk. They will take place in big squares, where modern singers and musicians, as well as spiritual groups will perform. At the moment we think over the format to make concerts original and different from previous ones. I’m sure it will be interesting. The concerts will have video communication, i.e. video bridges and satellite communication. We will translate concerts in Moscow and Minsk in Kiev’s square; Kiev and Moscow – in Minsk; and Kiev and Minsk – in Moscow. Therefore, due to modern technologies we will create an effect of presence simultaneously in three capitals.
Oleg Karamazov, leader of the band Brothers Karamazovy, chairman of the international organization “Day of Christianization of Russia”
On May 16th the outstanding musician and poet, Yuri Shevchuk, marks his 55th anniversary. Metropolitan Vladimir awarded us the supreme Orthodox order – The Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. And it was a surprise. On May 11 we played the concert, and two days ago Metropolitan awarded us the order. It was very touching. He said that first of all it is for our contribution to reviving of the tradition of marking Day of Christianization of Russia in our countries. We are sure that we belong to one nation. We live in different countries, but our nation is solid. I think nobody can make us fight. This date is very important for answering the question “Who are we? Where did we come from?” We organize the fest for 6th year in a row. And we are glad that last year it was blessed by Patriarch Kirill and celebrated in Moscow.
Russian Church Outside of Russia holds service for late Patriarch Alexy, Metropolitan Laurus who reunited Russian Church
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 12:03pm
Late Patriarch Alexy and Late Metropolitan Larus
Moscow, May 17, Interfax – The Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, United States, has conducted a service for for Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) Metropolitan Laurus.
The service in the run-up to the fifth anniversary of the reunion of the two parts of the Russian Church was conducted by Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk, the Administrator of Patriarchal Parishes in the United States, the Russian Orthodox Church’s Department for External Church Relations website reported on Thursday.
“Deprived of free existence in its homeland, the persecuted Russian Orthodox Church became a martyr of the godless regime, but the Church outside of Russia also experienced pressure on the part of Russian political circles abroad,” he said addressing those attending the service.
Differences that led to the tragic split were overcome “when the Russian Church both at home and in the diaspora freed itself of political influence alien to it, and we acquired longed-for freedom and true and long-awaited unity in Christ,” he said.
Metropolitan Hilarion, the First Hierarch of ROCOR, said in a greeting that was read out following the service that Alexy II and Metropolitan Laurus managed to reunite the Church due to their faith in Christ and sincere love for their congregation, i.e. the Russian people at home and outside of the country.
Metropolitan Hilarion said it is Alexy’s and Laurus’s firm belief and love that helped them overcome the long years of divide and reunite the Russian Church.
Alexy II and Metropolitan Laurus signed the Act of Canonical Communion of the two parts of the Russian Church at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on May 17, 2007, when the Church celebrates the Lord’s Ascension Day.
A delegation of ROCOR led by Metropolitan Hilarion is to arrive in Russia to take part in the celebrations in Moscow and also visit Diveyevo and St. Petersburg.
Orthodox Church Canonizes 11 Estonian Martyrs
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 11:56am
17/5/2012
The Synod of Constantinople has canonized 11 clerics and lay persons who perished during the first two years of the Soviet occupation of Estonia.
A decree of canonization was read today in the Church of Transfiguration of Our Lord in Tallinn that added 9 men and 2 women to the Orthodox Church’s list of saints.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate canonized five priests, two deacons and four lay persons who were executed by the Soviet authorities or died in prison or in forced labor camps in 1940 to 1941.
The Orthodox Church of Estonia will hold a memorial service to the martyrs on the anniversary of the June 14, 1941 deportations.
Youngwood Serbian church marks 100th anniversary
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 11:44am
Rose Domenick
17/5/2012
The Serbian presence in Youngwood might be small but it remains mighty.
More than 100 years ago, this group of immigrants came to Youngwood to work long, dangerous hours on the nearby railway and persevered through their love of family and their faith.
Today’s tight-knit Serbian community is still keeping family and faith together through the church built in 1912 at the corner of North Third and McKinley streets.
This Sunday, about 200 people will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church of Youngwood.
“The catered banquet will be at the Youngwood Fire Hall, so we’re going out to eat,” said Angie Babich, a matriarch of the “kolo” or ladies auxiliary-type group formed in 1929 and called the Circle of Serbian Sisters.
“We did make all the desserts,” Babich said about the 42 assorted nut rolls, apple strudel, cheesecake and Russian torte the group made for the special event.
It will gather together an estimated 65 church members, four former priests and four additional priests from the Serbian Orthodox Diocese based in Mars, Butler County, and members of congregations in McKeesport and Monroeville.
The church and attached parish house is the original building that cost $262.88, according to Youngwood’s Centennial Book published in 1999. Updates to the property have been done throughout the years, with most of the major renovations undertaken in the early 1960s.
The kolo remains dedicated to keeping the church’s presence in Youngwood, despite some difficulties. There is no more Bible school and there hasn’t been for the last five years.
There is no more resident priest, since the last one left with his family for the state of Georgia in January. Now, the Rev. Vladimir Demshuk comes in from Masury, Ohio, and stays at the parish house for the 10 a.m. Sunday Liturgy.
“We do a lot of fundraisers,” said Babich, 80, of Yukon, whose husband, Nicholas, died six years ago. “We do bake sales, make pierogies, have Advent fish fries and will be taking part in the 12th annual Community Yard Sale on June 9 in Youngwood.
“I just love my church,” she said. “The church itself is beautiful. I was brought up Serbian Orthodox. It’s spiritual and we do it for our souls, and we try to keep our church going.”
She is modest about her role in preserving the church with brightly colored icons, religous, symbolic paintings, and beautiful woodwork throughout the sanctuary.
Bernadette Barron, another member, said Babich is the “heartbeat” of the church who knows its history better than anyone else.
Babich shrugged off the compliment with a wave of her hand.
The kolo, the backbone of the church, is made up of “mostly older women” and a handful of men the ladies recruited to help roll out dough when baking for fundraising events, Babich said.
Today, members of the congregation lives in communities from Hecla to New Alexandria to Bolivar and beyond.
Kim Kabaci, 45, a Mt. Pleasant resident who teaches second grade at Norvelt Elementary School, leads the choir. She grew up attending the Youngwood church where her great-grandmother was a founding member.
She said that Babich keeps the church running smoothly.
“Angie’s always there. She can outwork all of us and make it look easy,” Kabaci said. “She can do more than us with one hand tied behind her back. …
“Without her, we wouldn’t know what to do.”
Orthodox Christians Clash With Gay Activists In Tbilisi
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 11:37am
18/5/2012
Some 200 activists of a Georgian Orthodox antihomosexual group attacked gay activists in Tbilisi on May 17, during an event to mark the International Day Against Homophobia.
Police had to intervene to stop the clashes between Orthodox Parents’ Union activists and gay rights defenders.
There were no reports of serious injuries.
Tbilisi city authorities had sanctioned the gathering organized by nongovernmental organization Identity and gay rights defenders.
Earlier on May 17, Georgian Ombudsman Georgy Tugushi called on his compatriots, the, media, and politicians to show understanding for the problems faced by sexual minorities in the country.
May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia.
Priest insists on dominant role for Orthodox Church in Russian society
OBL - International Orthodox Christian News - May 18, 2012 - 11:32am
Moscow, May 17, Interfax – A senior priest insisted on Thursday that the Russian Orthodox Church take up the dominant role in Russian society and accused Western Christians of a “deal with evil.”
“The Church is only just beginning to move toward a full-scale role in public life. It cannot be a role that is not central,” Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, head of the Synodal Department for Church and Society Relations, told a conference at Moscow Orthodox University of St. Tikhon entitled The State, the Church and Society on the Road to Symphony.
“The Church must hold a position in society that means the right to speak as a power in all areas of public life, fulfilling a prophetic role not just of public conscience – we have many people who lay claim to representing public conscience – but of the voice of God in politics, economics, in any public process, in people’s private lives, in their family life,” the priest said.
He complained that acquisition of material benefits, pride, “supercilious self-fulfillment,” and pluralism are dominant values in modern society and that the latter rejects single-truth doctrines. All that runs against Gospel ideals, he argued.
He accused Western Christians of a “deal with evil” and of forgetting Christian spiritual and social ideals in order to avoid conflicts with social groups that are allegedly used to speaking on behalf of society as a whole and laying down rules for it.
Others, he said, opted for self-isolation and abandoning their Christian mission in the world in an effort to at least partially rescue their faith and eventually achieve the global domination of Kingdom of God laws.
Both options mean defeat and are essentially un-Christian, the priest said.
“We must not be afraid to suggest our own recipes for economic reorganization, including the reorganization of the global economy, and for the renewal of political life, including on the basis of the laws of Orthodox social ideals, our recipes for defeating socially dangerous vices, our own solutions to bitter conflicts,” he said.
A Christian’s genuine need is “not to keep silent prudently in order to survive, not to retreat into a ghetto in order to feel comfortable there in the context of a dying world, but to change the world by love,” Father Vsevolod said.
The Church must act as Christ did – “not to be silent when one is pressured to be silent, not to evade the most provocative or complex questions, not to be afraid to challenge the entire pragmatic, everyday logic,” the priest said.
