The Orthodox Metropolis of Korea (Ecumenical Patriarchate) has issued the following Encyclical urging the faithful to pray with due reverence and care during the Covid-19 outbreak. Read the full text down below:   Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,  Due to the coronavirus pandemic which, unfortunately, prevents you from coming to our Churches at this time, we…

The Orthodox Metropolis of Korea (Ecumenical Patriarchate) has issued the following statement regarding all morning and evening Services of Holy Week and Easter. Read the full text down below: In a statement issued on March 19, 2020, we stated that, due to the problem of the COVID-19, the Churches of the Orthodox Metropolis of Korea will…

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has issued the following statement concerning Holy Week and Pascha (Easter). Read the full text down below: PDF Version To the Clergy and Faithful Orthodox Christians of the United States of America: During this period of crisis, we, members of the Executive Committee…

A documentary on the life and works of Mount Athos Elder Joseph (Iosif) the Hesychast has been nominated for three awards by the London Short Film Festival (LSFF), which is annually held in the spring in the UK capital. The Elder Joseph the Hesychast, who reposed in 1959, was recently canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate…

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, His Beatitude Ieronymos, wished the faithful courage and patience, speaking during Friday’s emotional Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos service at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, where the sublime Akathyst (Akathistos) Hymn was chanted. The 5th Friday of Lent service was conducted without worshipers due to the strict restrictions in…

Amid the spread of the new coronavirus in the country, Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia intends to watch the Easter liturgy from home, on TV, instead of attending it personally in the church, urging citizens to do the same. “As a Christian, I will watch the Easter liturgy from home, on TV, and I…

We would like to tell all clergymen : let’s don’t make early statements on how we will conduct Easter services, Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, the head of the Patriarchate’s public relations office, said in response to a reporters’ question about how the Easter liturgy will be held on Easter night. “Let’s don’t make early statements on…

We have called on many categories of people to “stay at home”, including those who are cautious and think they may get sick in the church. We will come and give you communion at your own home, Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, the head of the Patriarchate’s public relations office, said adding that the Patriarchate will try…

The Akathist Hymn is the most widely used hymn to honor the Virgin Mary. The word “Rejoice” is the most widely used word in the akathist hymn and this, according to the spiritual law, is due to the fact that sadness was the most present in the life of the Virgin. The types of sadness But…