The coronavirus pandemic, which is particularly acute in the Trabzon region in the southeast Black Sea coast region, as well as inclement weather, is cited as the cause of an indefinite postponement of the reopening of the iconic Panaghia Soumela Monastery complex. The quintessential symbol of faith for Pontians and Black Sea Hellenism was…

The second online Archontariki from Mount Athos, with the Elder Archimandrite Ephraim, the Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, was held on Saturday. Clergy and laity from 18 countries and some 120 cities around the world participated, with the total number of people viewing estimated at 4,000. Participants heard the spiritual word…

  The Patriarch of All Romania, His Beatitude Daniel, on Sunday cited the role of women, as modern-day Myrrh-Bearers, stressing that “… these are the women who early in the morning stand before the icon of the Savior and pray for the good health of their family, for the health of children and supplicate Him…

  The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, His Holiness Kirill, again cited the tribulation faced by humanity, in the form of the pandemic. His Holiness reiterated a decision by the Holy Synod of the Russian Church to recommend to worshipers that they do not attend the holy services, saying this was one of the…

  The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew I, officiated at a prayer service on Sunday in supplication for the recovery and support of all those now affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The service was held at the Mother of God of the Life-giving Spring Monastery, Zoodouchou Pigis in Greek, in the Baloukli…

  Churches and chapels in Greece on Monday opened for personal worship, weeks after strict coronavirus-related restrictions were first imposed. Numerous faithful were seen visiting churches beginning early in the morning, to light a candle and pray. As repeatedly pledged by the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece, all public health precautions and guidelines will be…

  Today is the third Monday after Pascha, Holy and Great Easter Sunday. Our Church today venerates the memory of Pelagia, the Nun-martyr of Tarsus. This saint achieved the crown of martyrdom during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, in 284. She was cast into a bronze statue fashioned in the likeness of a bull,…

      Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη! [and in response: Ἀληθῶς Ἀνέστη!] Christ is Risen! [and in response: Truly He is Risen!] I have one question for all of us this morning. One question, and one question alone. Τίς ἀποκυλίσει ἡμῖν τὸν λίθον; Who will roll away the stone for us?[*] Who…

Women and those unable to travel have the possibility to visit online the Holy Mount Athos. A website has made available the virtual panoramas of the Mount’s 20 monasteries. Panoramas of more sketes and cells and those of three caves will become available soon. The virtual tours can be found on the website Mountathos360.com, where…