Orthodox Catholic Church

On March 26, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of St. Archangel Gabriel.

However, a closer look shows that Putin and Erdogan both see the Ecumenical Patriarchate as an extension of Western influence that threatens their respective political ambitions.

Ukraine as catalyst of Moscow's fury

Orthodox church in Moscow, Russia, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/YURI KOCHETKOV

Bishops of Serbia's powerful Orthodox Church on Thursday elected Porfirije Peric as their 46th patriarch.

The new Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovac and Patriarch of Serbia had previously, since 2014, been Metropolitan of Zagreb and Ljubljana.

Ombudsman Renate Weber had a meeting with leader of the Romanian Christian Orthodox Church (BOR) on baptism, bringing to attention several aspects that could be considered by the BOR Holy Synod, including analysing the opportunity of some classes in the liturgical practices of baptism, and establishing ways of performing the ritual adapted to each case.

The Archbishop of Athens has come under criticism in Greece for quietly raising the costs of church funerals during the pandemic by up to 250 per cent without any warning or explanation to funeral homes and the families of the deceased.

The head of Cyprus' Orthodox Church on Wednesday pledged to rebuild a row of historic homes that were partially demolished next to an under-construction cathedral amid a public outcry over what government officials described as an "unlawful" action.

US Senator Bob Menendez's return to the chairmanship of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee is very important for America, for our commitment to democracy and human rights and for areas in which he has particular interest, such as Cyprus, Greece and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church. His return is important for a number of reasons.

President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vui, addressed those present at the ceremony.
Vui first mentioned the late Patriarch Irinej: "I want to thank Patriarch very much for everything he has done for our people".
"In the previous eight years, we tried to raise Serbia from the ashes," said Vucic.

The presidents of the two Chambers of Parliament, Anca Dragu and Ludovic Orban, participate, on Sunday, in the events held on the occasion of the 162nd anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. Ludovic Orban will attend events organized in Focsani, which will start around 12.45 pm.

Manolis Dermitzakis, professor of genetics at the University of Geneva, said on Thursday he was "shocked" by the crowding he saw in the streets and the images of some faithful receiving Communion from the same spoon on Wednesday, when the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany.