The Synaxis of the Chinese Martyrs

Sunday of the Chinese Martyrs Second Sunday after Pentecost/Second Sunday of Matthew Synaxarion On this day, second Sunday of Matthew, we celebrate the Synaxis (gathering) of the Chinese Orthodox Christians who were martyred in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion in the year 1900.  Short History In the year of our Lord 1900, when the Empress […]

Message Of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew On World Oceans Day 2020

On World Oceans Day 2020, we renew our call to the global community to work collectively in addressing the threats to our planet’s oceans, seas and rivers. Since 1995, we have initiated nine inter-religious and inter-disciplinary symposia throughout the world, assembling international scientists and environmentalists, politicians and economists, as well as activists and journalists to […]

The Holy And Great Feast Of Pentecost

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And […]

The Saturday Before The Feast Of Pentecost

On the Saturday before Pentecost we commemorate all departed pious Christians, with the idea that the occasion of the coming of the Holy Spirit not only consists of the economy of the salvation of man, but that the departed also participate in this salvation. Therefore, the Holy Church, sending up prayers on Pentecost for the […]

‘SOCIAL DISTANCING’ IS NOW A WAY OF CARING FOR OUR NEIGHBOR

An exclusive interview of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with Ukrinform (16 April 2020) Question: Your All-Holiness, the greatest Orthodox holiday of Easter is approaching. Would You be so kind to recall times from the history of Christianity when believers could not attend holy ordinances and perform sacraments for objective reasons? How have these obstacles […]

Coronavirus and the Church

Interview with Hierotheos, Metropolitan of Nafpaktos and St. Vlasios to the “Church Intervention” for the coronavirus epidemic (covid-19) (14-3-2020) 1. Question: What is the coronavirus (covid-19)?  Answer: It is a virus which, like many other viruses, consists of RNA, and uses the structure of cells to function. It is known that the genetic information from the DNA, which […]

The Ascension Of The Lord

Introduction The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on the fortieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter). Since the date of Pascha changes each year, the date of the Feast of the Ascension changes. The Feast is always celebrated on a […]

Apodosis-Leavetaking of Pascha

On Wednesday of the sixth week of Pascha, we celebrate the Leavetaking of the Feast. While most Feasts have their Leavetaking on the eighth day, Pascha, the Feast of Feasts, has its Leavetaking on the thirty-ninth day. The fortieth day is the Feast of the Lord’s Ascension, which marks the end of the Lord’s physical […]

Cyclone Amphan: Kolkata devastated as cyclone kills scores in India and Bangladesh

The eastern Indian city of Kolkata has been devastated by a powerful cyclone which has killed at least 84 people across India and Bangladesh.  Amphan made landfall on Wednesday, lashing coastal areas with ferocious wind and rain. The storm is weakening as it moves north into Bhutan. Thousands of trees were uprooted in the gales, […]