Met. Luke is recognized as one of the most authoritative hierarchs of the canonical UOC and has been an outspoken critic of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople’s interference in Ukrainian Church affairs and the actions of the violent schismatics of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
The five-day conference will take place at a historic hotel overlooking the Italian seaside near Florence.
Festive services were held yesterday at the UNESCO-protected church of St. Alexander Nevsky in Riga to mark 200 years since its consecration on November 12, 1825.
St. Michael’s Romanian Orthodox Church in Southbridge, Massachusetts, marked its centennial anniversary with a three-day celebration from November 7-9.
The first official feast day of the newly glorified St. Olga of Alaska was celebrated on Sunday, November 9. In addition to the OCA, St. Olga has been formally added to the liturgical calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church, and her veneration is spreading throughout the rest of the Orthodox world.
“We longed for this day of return,” Met. Athanasios said during the gathering. “Today we are back, and we will remain steadfast, serving this land forever.”
The relic—the holy hand of St. Mary Magdalene, perhaps the greatest spiritual treasure of Simonopetra Monastery—was ceremonially transferred to the parish. Three priest-monks from Mt. Athos accompanied the relic, which was received by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaac of Central Europe and Germany.
The Archangels are venerated as the protectors and guardians of the historic city of Serres. The celebration drew a large crowd of faithful, along with prominent civil and military officials.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the historic Church of St. George the Great Martyr, beginning with the rite of consecration of the holy altar.
The northernmost Orthodox church in America was built in 1992 and consecrated in honor of Saint Herman of Alaska. Last summer, the husband and wife film team, Mikhail and Ekaterina P, spoke with its rector, Father Andrew, about Orthodox traditions and the special nature of serving the Church in Alaska.
A striking aspect of current conversions is the influx of young people aged 15-30.
On November 4, the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, thousands of Orthodox faithful participated in a city-wide procession in Tver following Divine Liturgy at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral.
Mother Catherine of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s St. Catherine of Sinai Monastery in Sonora, CA, was formally installed as abbess yesterday.
The festive services took place on the feast day of the monastery’s patron saint.
In his sermon, the Metropolitan stressed that true fulfillment comes not from material possessions but from spiritual growth through prayer, almsgiving, and sincere repentance.
“Glory to God: young Canadian men are seeking the monastic habit,” the monastery announced. “More are enquiring all the time.”
The wonderworking Kursk Root icon of the Mother of God arrived in Monaco on Monday, October 21/November 3, as part of its eight-week tour through Western Europe that began last month.
Throughout history, churches and monasteries have served as places where people experience God's presence, receive intercession from the Theotokos and saints, and find spiritual comfort.
A large number of faithful gathered in prayer and joy to receive the holy gift, which brings a new blessing and Heavenly intercessor to the Serbian people.
In his remarks in court on October 30, Met. Arseny emphasized a broader perspective on his trial: “I’m not defending myself. I'm defending the good that exists in Ukraine. We’re now being tested on our humanity, our conscience, and our common sense.”
