CONSTANTINOPLE — With no visiting faithful from Greece or other Christian Orthodox countries, due to the coronavirus pandemic, only two swimmers raced to retrieve the cross in a ceremony commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ,in Istanbul on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, handed out a…

The Epiphany celebration marking the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River went on as usual in Tarpon Springs, Florida, despite the many restrictions limiting the number of people watching and taking part. Colten Sakadales, a 16-year-old who is a junior at Tarpon Springs High, was this year’s cross dive winner. Amazingly, his brother…

Turkish media says that the only surviving part of the 18th century Ai Dimitri Monastery, the chapel, has collapsed because of frequent excavations by treasure hunters. There had been heavy rains in the area recently, but for several years treasure hunters had dug around the foundation, weakening the structure. Turkey has a rich Christian history,…

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided from the Throne on the morning of the First Day of the New Year 2021, during the Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and the memory of Basil the Great, at the Patriarchal Church in the Phanar. Concelebrating were Their Eminences Metropolitans Apostolos Geron…

The water blessing ceremonies, traditionally carried out outdoors on Epiphany Day, were carried out indoors at all churches on Wednesday ensuring the diligent observance of all health safety restriction measures. Moreover, there were no public litanies or processions. The blessed water was given in small bottles both to the faithful who attended the ceremony in…

BY THE GRACE OF GOD BISHOP OF EASTERN AMERICA Most beloved clergy and monastics, sons and daughters, faithful children of the Eastern American Diocese of our Most Holy Serbian Orthodox Church: GOD’S PEACE — CHRIST IS BORN! And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a…

A month ago, Orthodox Christians for Life (OCLife) was restored by new leadership after many years of inactivity. The group was originally founded in 1986, but fell dormant in the early 2000s. OCLife has now obtained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and will once again bring a unified Orthodox Christian voice to the pro-life movement, with Emily…

On January 7, the Greek Orthodox church celebrates the Feast Day of the Synaxis of Agios Ioannis the Baptist and Holy Forerunner of Christ, who is also the Protector Saint of God Parents, as he baptised Jesus Christ. In the Orthodox Church, it is customary, on the day following the Great Feasts of the Lord…

Greek Orthodox people celebrated the Epiphany on Wednesday in Greece and Australia in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning many of the usual traditions were more subdued but still heart-warming. We take a look at how both countries marked the important Christian event. Greece: The Greek government relented and allowed limited attendance at churches…