News
Byzcath.org News provides news focusing on the Christian East from varous sources and offers links to other sites dedicated to providing the news about the Church.
Churches and organizations that provide news about the Eastern Churches are invited to submit their news stories to us for publication here (use the contact page for submission)..
Materials from the Vatican Information Service, Zenit, CWNews.com and other sources are published here with permission of their owners but may not be republished further without the permission of their original publishers. Please visit these sites to obtain additional general news about the Church. In addition to these sources EWTN News also provides a good general news summary.
Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
- Details
Tirana, May. 26, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A union of clergymen has been described as "uncanonical" and "illegal" by the Romanian Orthodox patriarchate.
The Good Shepherd priests’ union wants transparency and respect for the rights of clerics in the Romanian Orthodox Church, of which 88% of Romanians are baptized members. The Romanian patriarchate issued a press release stating, “A priest is not a lay employee of a corporation. He can not strike or refuse to fulfill his mission of baptizing children, blessing marriages and distributing the sacraments because he thinks his salary is too low.” The Romanian government pays the salary of Orthodox priests.
- Details
Moscow (20080524) -- Archbishop Demetrios of America arrived in Moscow, together with the delegation from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, on Thursday afternoon, May 22. The Archbishop was welcomed officially at the airport by Bishop Mark of Egorievsk, the Vice-Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Protopresbyter Nikolai Balashov, Secretary for Inter-Orthodox Relations. Bishop Mark expressed the warm welcome of Patriarch Alexy, as well as that of Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, who was in Smolensk preparing for the celebration of his nameday, the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodios (Saturday May 24th; which is the 11th on the Old Calendar). After transfer to the Danilovsky Monastery, a walled compound containing an official residence for the Patriarch, the headquarters of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, and the Hotel where the delegation is staying, the delegation was hosted at a welcome dinner.
On Friday, May 23, the first full day of the delegation in Moscow, Bishop Mark of Egorievsk accompanied the Archbishop and the members of the delegation to the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius Lavra, one of the most famous Orthodox Monasteries in the world, found in 1340 by St. Sergius of Radonezh, the patron Saint of Russia. The Monastery, which has had during its lengthy history as many as 2000 monastics, contains numerous Churches, shrines, and all the Seminary facilities. It is one of the most visited religious sites in all of Russia.
On the 50 mile trip to the Monastery, the delegation had the opportunity to stop and visit the renowned Patriarchal Ecclesiastical Workshops at Sofrino (www.sofrino.ru), where the Archbishop and the delegation were received by the Director, given a tour of the facility, chapel and museum, and were hosted at a reception in his honor. At the arrival of the Archbishop, church bells rang and prayers of thanksgiving were offered in the Chapel.
After departing Sofrino, the delegation proceeded to the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, where the Archbishop and the members of the delegation were received by Archimandrites of the Monastery and by officials of the Moscow Spiritual Academy and Theological Seminary: the Vice-rector Archpriest Vladimir Shmaliy and the Academic Secretary Archpriest Pavel Velikanov. The Archbishop and the delegation were conducted to the main Church of Monastery, in order to venerate the holy relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh. As they made their way to the Church, passing through the massive walls that surround the Monastery, pilgrims approached the Archbishop and the accompanying Hierarchs to receive their blessing. After venerating the relics of St. Sergius, the delegation was accompanied to the former refectory of the Monastery, now a Church, which was the site of the election of Patriarch Alexy. Inside the Church, the Archbishop led the delegation in chanting “Christos Anesti,” to the visible joy of the clergy, monks and pilgrims.
After visiting another of the many churches in the Monastery, this one dedicated to the Dormition, which houses holy relics of St. Maxim the Greek and St. Innocent of Alaska, the official party was conducted to the Moscow Spiritual Academy and Theological Seminary, where the hundreds of students were waiting in the main auditorium for the address of the Archbishop. The Archbishop, together with the Hierarchs of the delegation, was seated on a dais and introduced to the student body and professors by Fr. Shmaliy. The Archbishop then delivered his address in English, assisted by a translator, entitled “Healing the Wounded World.” The day, being the eve of the Feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodios, Apostles to the Slavs and the Russian National Holiday of Slavic Letters, presented an occasion for the Archbishop to address the theology that stands behind how the Message of the Gospel is transmitted to heal a wounded and ailing world (the address may be seen at http://www.goarch.org/en/news/moscowaddress.html). In his conclusion, the Archbishop said:
“On this occasion, as we stand ready to commemorate once again the Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodios, you as their spiritual descendants should take great courage in the example that they set, and in the power of holding to the model of healthy words which was given to you. It is a power to change the world! For me, a son of Thessaloniki – the city of Saints Cyril and Methodios— and an Exarch of the same Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople that sent them on their apostolic mission of evangelization to share the Good News of the Gospel, it is an honor to be present here in person with you to rejoice in their ever-memorable legacy of faithfulness to the Gospel, to Truth, to right worship, and to unlimited love.”
As the Archbishop concluded his address with a joyous “Christos Anesti,” the student body rose on its feet with the reply “Alithos Anesti!” in Greek, and then proceeded to chant “Eis Polla Eti, Despota,” as they received the blessing of the Archbishop. His Eminence then presented a silver censer to the Seminary as a commemorative token of the visit. Following a tour of the Seminary Chapel and Museum, the Archbishop and the delegation were hosted at a formal luncheon.
Following the return to Moscow, the delegation proceeded to the Greek Embassy, where Ambassador Ilias Klis was waiting to receive the Archbishop. The entire delegation was hosted by the Ambassador and members of the Greek diplomatic staff, in the magnificent facility which houses the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic to Russia.
Accompanying Archbishop Demetrios on this official visit to the Moscow Patriarchate are the following Hierarchs: Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, and Bishop Savas of Troas. Archdiocesan lay representatives include Mr. Michael Jaharis, Vice-Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council; Mrs. Aphrodite Skeadas, Treasurer of National Philoptochos; Dr. Anthony Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of Archons of St. Andrew; and Dr. Antoine Harovas. Archdiocesan staff include Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Fr. Mark Arey, Archdeacon Pandeleimon Papadopoulos, Mr. Jerry Dimitriou, and Mr. Demetrios Panagos. Photos of the official visit can be viewed at http://photos.goarch.org/main.php?g2_itemId=1478
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215
Web: www.goarch.org
Contact: Stavros Papagermanos
Tel.: 212-570-3556
Email:
- Details
21.05.2008, [09:50] // UGCC // RISU.ORG.UA
On May 7-9, 2008, priests of the Greek-Catholic Church who perform their ministry on the territory of Russia met with Bishop Joseph Werth. The meeting was devoted to catechizing people who belong to the Greek-Catholic Church on the territory of Russia.
At the invitation of Bishop Joseph Werth and the head of the Catechetical Commission in Russia, Fr. Serhiy Nikolenko, and with the blessing of Bishop Dionisii, the head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of the UGCC, Sr. Luiza Tsiupa and a worker of the Catechetical-Pedagogical Institute, Nazar Duda, took part in the meeting. The two shared their experience of work in the catechetical field with the participants.
During the meeting an open dialogue was held in which each priest presented a situation in relation to catechetical ministry. Communities are still very small, although in Siberia, Surgut and other localities there are many people who have come for work. Catechetical ministry is not developed enough there.
Summarizing the meeting, Bishop Joseph noted that the priority is gathering people, giving them attention, and celebrating the Liturgy. But it is also necessary to explain the Liturgy to people, that is, to conduct catechism for adults. It is necessary to give attention to the conducting of catechetical summer camps. The Bishop also asked that Ukraine help in this process of religious education, and organizational questions which are linked with it, and encouraged the formation of missionary groups which would be able to help in this area of Church ministry.
Information Department of the UGCC
- Details
From May 20 to 22, 2008, in Hungary, at the pilgrimage site of Mariapocs, a meeting of the Greek-Catholic Bishops of Europe will take place, reports the Diocese of Hajdudorog (Hungary).
A central theme of the meeting will be the Mystery (Sacrament) of Confession, as was decided in 2007 in Velehrad. Speaking at this meeting will be:
- Archimandrite Manel' (Nin), rector of the Greek Pontifical College in Rome, who will talk about the theological and liturgical aspects of Confession;
- Fr. Vasyliy Cyril, rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, who will talk about canonical aspects;
- Yanosh Sholtesh and Ishtvan Sheshtak, teachers of the Theological Institute in Nira-Hazy, whose lessons will touch spiritual and pastoral aspects of the Mystery of Confession.
His Eminence Cardinal Peter Erdo, head of the Hungarian Episcopal Conference and the Council of European Episcopal Conferences, has also promised to visit this meeting.
Deacon Yuriy Trukhan,
Secretary of Bishop Volodymyr (Viytyshyn)
- Details
Baghdad, May. 20, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Catholic bishops in Iraq have announced their opposition to the execution of a man convicted of killing Archbishop Paulos Faraj Raho, the AsiaNews service reports.
After a court sentenced Ahmad Ali Ahmad to death for his part in the kidnapping and death of Archbishop Rahos, two other prelates of the Chaldean Catholic Church said that the deceased archbishop himself would have opposed the use of the death sentence.
"We are in favor of justice, but not of capital punishment," said Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk. Bishop Shlemon Warduni, an auxiliary in Baghdad, agreed, saying that Archbishop Raho was totally dedicated to reconciliation and peace rather than further bloodshed.
Catholic leaders in Iraq pointed out that authorities had not yet answered any important questions about the kidnapping of Archbishop Raho from his home in Mosul. Among those questions, they pointed out, were the motives of the kidnappers and the Ahmad, the man convicted of the killing, and other members of the terrorist group connected with Al Qaida in Iraq.
[For a more detailed report see the AsiaNews web site.]
- Details
Moscow, May. 20, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The Russian Orthodox Church has officially rejected a doctrinal statement approved by a joint Catholic-Orthodox theological commission at a meeting in Ravenna, Italy last October.
The Ravenna meeting reached agreement that the Bishop of Rome traditionally enjoyed primacy among all the world's bishops, of both the Eastern and Western churches. While Vatican officials hailed the agreement as an important ecumenical landmark, they cautioned that the Catholic and Orthodox churches have a different understanding of primacy. Indeed the Ravenna document noted "differences of understanding with regard to the manner in which it is to be exercised, and also with regard to its scriptural and theological foundations."
The Russian Orthodox rejection of the Ravenna statement is not a surprise, since representatives of the Moscow patriarchate were critical of the document when it first appeared. Russian prelates said that the Ravenna agreement implied that the Patriarch of Constantinople was the leader of the Orthodox world, just as the Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church. The Moscow patriarchate, which has often contested Constantinople's leadership, rejected that idea. You can also check how to apply for the Nigeria Police Recruitment by visiting the official portal.
In January, Patriarch Alexei of Moscow charged that the Ravenna meeting had been "deliberately orchestrated to exclude the Moscow patriarchate." In fact, Russian Orthodox representatives walked out of the meeting before discussions began, protesting the seating of a delegation from the Estonian Orthodox Church, which Moscow does not recognize.