Strict public assembly restrictions imposed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic made for an unprecedented commemoration this year of the Feast day of Andrew, the First-Called Apostle. St. Andrew is the patron saint of Patras, in the Achaia prefecture, and the annual feast day on Nov. 30 is celebrated with splendor and reverence by the…

The Church today venerates the memory of Andrew, the First-Called Apostle. This saint was from Bethsaida of Galilee; the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles. Initially a disciple of John the Baptist; upon hearing the Forerunner’s witness concerning Jesus, he immediately followed Christ, and became His first disciple…

  Thousands of people visit every year to see the exquisite architecture, beautiful paintings, and icons and to pray to the Holy Apostle Andreas, the Patron Saint of Patras. November 30 is the Feast Day of the Holy Apostle Andreas and of the Church. It’s a very big celebration for the entire city of Patras….

Just twenty-four hours after the border between NSW and Victoria reopened, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios visited Melbourne, which was severely impacted in the previous months by the pandemic. Arriving in Melbourne, on Friday, November 27th, his first stop was St Basil’s nursing home in Fawkner where he was welcomed by the administration, the staff and…

    Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Westfield, New Jersey Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “What is impossible with human beings, is possible with God!” What a message of hope in these difficult days! When we face a resurgence in the pandemic, and the days grow darker as we draw near to Christmas. For…

This is the 14th “Bus of Mercy”, created with the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church. A charitable project called “Bus of Mercy” has been launched in Ufa, Russia. It was organized by St. Elizabeth Sisters of Mercy with the help of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Ministry of the Russian Orthodox Church. In this…

Homily on today’s Gospel reading by Metropolitan Hilarion, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us the story of the merciful Samaritan who feels sorry for someone who has fallen into the hands of robbers. The Samaritan binds his wounds, brings him to an inn,…

Although many of us prefer to spend more time home these days for fear of the epidemic, others do not forget to seek God where their prayers are best heard. Bulgaria’s biggest monastery, the Rila Monastery, remains a preferred place for many believers even in these months of difficulties and troubles. “We are talking about pilgrims who come here as…

The Georgian Patriarchate released a statement regarding the second wave of spread of the coronavirus in the country. In connection with the second wave of the pandemic, with blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of Whole Georgia, the Patriarchate addressed church officials, priests and believers. “It is necessary that the believers observe social distancing rule and wear medical…