Holy Church

Effort to save Athens’ oldest Byzantine church

For the first time in 40 years, efforts are under way to restore and promote the Holy Church of Agios Nicholas Rangavas, Athens' oldest Byzantine church.

The Culture Ministry has approved funding for restoration studies aimed at preserving the 11th-century church, once part of the Rangavas family palace at the foot of the Acropolis in the Plaka neighborhood. 

Holy Synod defends Holy Communion, decries yoga

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece rebuffed a call issued this week by the Istanbul-based Patriarch Vartholomaios for a dialogue between Orthodox churches regarding Holy Communion in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, while also denouncing yoga, which has been recommended by various bodies and groups as a way to relieve stress during the pandemic. 

"Kosovo is Serb Jerusalem; state is no good without people"

The patriarch called on all believers to be one with the long-suffering Serb people who are faithfully safeguarding and defending every step of the holy land in Kosovo and Metohija, and said that Kosovo and Metohija is our Jerusalem, our Holy Land, "which has been, may we never forget, given to us by God as an eternal pledge."

Mourning for Melina, aged 4, who died after adenoid removal went awry

The parents of young Melina Paraschaki, who died aged 4, after routine adenoidectomy are left with a huge “Why?” on their lips after the surgery went awry. Their daughter died at the University Hospital of Herakleion on Tuesday after being rushed their from Venizeleio Hospital of Hreakleion, Crete, for a relatively ordinary and low-danger procedure that took place on Monday, December 28.