The structure, which belonged to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, was the largest wooden building in Europe and second largest in the world. It served as an orphanage from 1903 to 1964, providing services to thousands of children, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s.
Fr. Ted Bobosh
Perhaps I can illustrate this from a story taken from the late history of the Russian Church. I think it shows what I am trying to say about being a Christian.
His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia (+2008) served as a priest in the town of Jõhvi in his native Estonia from 1950 to 1957. And yesterday, September 14, the Orthodox faithful of Jõhvi rejoiced as “Alyoshenka has returned home.”
Earlier this month, during restoration work of the floor of the Metropolitan Church of the Entry of the Theotokos on the island of Rhodes, a major unexpected discovery took place.
These stone artifacts made of limestone are adorned with ornate carvings and date back to the time of the Judean kings. Experts believed they are remnants of a grand mansion that overlooked the Temple Mount and Jerusalem’s Old City.