New Valaam Monastery in Heinävesi, Finland was awarded the “Sprout of Responsibility” honorary prize from the Finnish branch of the Forest Stewardship Council this year for its merits in ecological, social, and efficient forest management. A new plan for the use of the monastery’s forest land, which currently covers 1,160 acres, was drawn up in…
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Beloved in the Lord children of our Holy Church, In the days and months of new and severe trials, which we also share with the whole world and all mankind,…
John X Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to My brothers, Pastors of the Holy Church of Antioch My sons and daughters, all over this Apostolic See “See the Lord of Heaven and Earth Let your eyes Behold him here Offer him as gifts their gold With the incense and the myrrh” In the…
Honorable Ambassadors and Consuls, Very Reverend Archimandrites, Reverend Presbyters and Deacons, Members and friends of the Holy Metropolis of Sweden and All Scandinavia, Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Nativity of Christ gives meaning to the novel good tidings ushered in by the Gospel. Christ is something absolutely new – “the beginning of…
The Vicar of the Region Rev.Fr. Emmanuel Oruku addressed priests on behalf of Bishop Silvester who is in Hospital under treatment for some good days. Fr. Oruk communicated His Message to Priests for Christmas, for the coming Election period in which the Bishop is asking Priests to advocate for Peace and justice in fairness. The…
CHRISTMAS 2020 THE DECISIVE PRESENCE “…and… His name shall be called… God with us” (Mat. 1:23). This year we will celebrate Christmas without out-of-home festivities, without large gatherings of families and friends, and even more, without the general participation of the believers in the worship services. Simultaneously, however, these restrictions caused by the pandemic…
Metropolitan Nathanael, expressing his gratitude and love to the faithful for supporting their local communities through the Ministries of the Metropolis of Chicago, reminds us: “as the magi offered gifts to the infant Jesus, and as He offered Himself to us, we must continuously offer our own gifts – our time, talent, and treasure –…
Christmas is a season known for giving. This tradition started with the Magi who brought their gifts to the Newborn Christ Child. Every year during the Christmas Open House for the Greek Metropolis of San Francisco, people place gift cards on the tree, which the Metropolis Philoptochos has distributed to those in need – the…
Remember your school days? Sure you hated tests and were bored in class, but what about your best memories from your school days? Aren’t most of them from special days of celebrations or projects you had to work on with your classmates? Of course they are. Because nothing bonds a school community more than a…