On Wednesday, February 14/27, 2019, a 10-member Delegation from Greece and the Republic of Cyprus visited the Patriarchate regarding expatriate-related matters. The Greek delegation was under Mr. Kouik, Deputy Foreign Minister for Greeks living Abroad and the Cypriot delegation under Mr. Fotios Fotiou, Presidential Commissioner for Expatriate-related matters, with the escort of the Consul General…

  In Cyprus, a monastery in the Aghia Napa region is being transformed into a museum, after a decision by the Church of Cyprus noted that due to its location, the monastery is not suited for monasticism.

  On an ominous note, unknown vandals again targeted a picturesque chapel dedicated to the Prophet Elijah, near the central Greece city of Kalabaka. Images showed defiled frescoes and icons depicting Saints. Similar disturbing incidents were reported two weeks ago, as well as last summer, just prior to the Feast Day for the Prophet.     

  In a related development, the issue of the Ukrainian Church’s Autocephaly was discussed by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, which was convened on Tuesday by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, His Holiness Kirill. A statement by the Russian Orthodox Church afterwards noted that, “We express our serious concern over…

  Α conference on the issue of “Ecclesiastical and Religious Diplomacy”, organized by the Greek foreign ministry, will begin on Thursday. Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, His Beatitude Ieronymos II, will briefly address the conference, as will Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Several well-known representatives of other faiths, Church hierarchs and Mt. Athos Elders…

  The coming period is deemed as crucial in Church-state relations in Greece. The latest reports point to an attempt by the Greek government to defuse tension, after strong reactions by a portion of Orthodox clerics in the country to any attempt to alter the standing payroll system. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece’s hierarchy…

 Today marks the 21st anniversary of the passing of Elder Efraim of Katounakia. The Orthodoxia news agency today devotes extensive coverage to the life, faith and teachings of the beloved and sanctified Mt. Athos monk.

While there are already churches dedicated to the great 20th-century ascetic St. Paisios the Athonite, the Holy Mountain itself now has its first consecrated church built in his honor. The church was consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Xanthi on Sunday, February 24th. The church is located in Kapsala, in the area between Karyes…

Deputy Education Minister Meropi Tzoufi opened an event in Athens on Tuesday at the Italian Education Institute on the teaching of ancient and modern Greek in Italy.