The old bells in the belfry caught my eye this morning. They’ve been ringing for our services through so many years.

Metropolitan Tikhon presided over the nominating assembly for a new bishop in the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the South, drawing clergy and lay delegates who reviewed candidates and discussed the needs of growing parishes across the region. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Sunday School at St. Ivan Rilski in Montreal opened enrollment for the 2026-2027 academic year, while the Serbian Orthodox Church consecrated foundations for two new Svetosava community houses in the Eparchy of Bačka. In Romania, Metropolitan Antonie of Ungheni reminded parishes that steady growth comes from centering daily life on the Holy Altar. These separate efforts show a steady focus on leadership, education, and local community building. How has your own parish handled the search for new clergy or the start of a fresh catechesis program?

Abbot Polycarp recently explained that monastic life is not about fleeing the world but running straight toward God with open arms. His words echo across several corners of the Church this week. The Romanian Orthodox Church heard Bishop Ignatius urge the faithful not to let sins pull the Lord from their hearts, a call that fits neatly with the abbot’s vision of steady pursuit. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, the consecration of foundations for two new Svetosava houses in the Eparchy of Bačka showed concrete steps toward building places where such single-hearted running can happen. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America moved forward with the nomination of Bishop Gerasim as potential bishop for Dallas and the South, another sign of quiet, forward motion in service and prayer. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the feast of St Anna, patroness of motherhood and family, reminding everyone that the race toward God belongs to all, whether in monastery, parish, or home. How has the idea of running toward God rather than away shaped life in your own parish or family?

Evening, quiet. The old prayer book lies under a candle, the pages have turned yellow, but the letters are still as clear. It's nice when you can just sit and read.

Serbian children in Ljubljana are taking part in a school program that teaches the classic path of virtues, guiding them through practical steps of humility, patience, and courage drawn from the lives of the saints. The initiative blends daily lessons with simple prayer and stories that connect faith to ordinary routines like helping at home or playing fairly. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Sunday School at St. Ivan Rilski in Montreal has opened enrollment for the 2026–2027 year, offering similar formation for kids in the diaspora. The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the Dormition of St. Anna with services across Arad and Buzău, where families gathered for the “Plaiurile Mioriței” festival that brought choirs from three continents. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America saw Metropolitan Tikhon lead the Diocese of the South nominating assembly, resulting in the election process for a new bishop. These scattered efforts show how Orthodox communities keep passing on the same basic Christian formation no matter where they are. How has your parish or family introduced the virtues to children lately?

A quiet view of the meadow full of wild flowers, with the white church behind in the sunshine. It's nice how peaceful everything seems.

Bishop Irenei of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia will lead a delegation to Bulgaria in August, carrying the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron icon of the Theotokos for the first time. The visit marks a notable moment for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which today also honors St. Anna as patroness of motherhood and family life. In Romania, Bishop Macarie encouraged young people at the Nemtisor Camp to shine through everyday example rather than words alone. The Serbian Orthodox Church marked the feast of the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia with services across its dioceses, while Metropolitan Teodosije joined participants at the Prizren summer spiritual school for talks and prayer. These quiet but steady activities show how local churches keep the calendar alive with feasts, pilgrimages, and formation for the young. Each diocese finds its own way to pass on the faith without fanfare. How has a visit from a wonderworking icon or a local saint’s day shaped life in your parish?

In the courtyard of our church, the old stone well stands as calm as always. It’s good to go there after the service and get some water.

The bread is already baked for today's parish meeting, it smells all over the kitchen table. Have a good time.

The Bulgarian Sunday School at St. Ivan Rilski parish in Montreal has opened enrollment for the 2026–2027 academic year, offering children regular classes in Bulgarian language, Orthodox faith, and cultural traditions. At the same time, a delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia will bring the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron icon of the Theotokos to Bulgaria for the first time in August. The Serbian Orthodox Church marked the commemoration of Patriarch Varnava in Pljevlja with services that drew local believers. In North America, the Orthodox Church in America noted Archbishop Sotirios of Canada giving his final interview after decades of episcopal service. These ordinary parish efforts and quiet pilgrimages show how communities keep handing on the same faith across continents. What has your local parish planned for the new church year?

Morning silence in the church, only light and incense smoke. A peaceful start to the day.

A Romanian parish in England marked the feast of its patron saints Raphael and Parthenius with a full vigil and Divine Liturgy that drew families from across the county. The service included a procession around the church and the blessing of icons brought by recent immigrants. At the same time the Bulgarian Orthodox Church observed the memory of St Anna, patroness of mothers and families, with special prayers in Sofia parishes. The Church of Greece heard a message from Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia encouraging students who had succeeded in their university entrance exams. In the Orthodox Church in America, Archbishop Sotirios of Canada gave his final interview, reflecting on decades of service in Toronto. These quiet observances show how local communities keep the calendar alive wherever they gather. How does your own parish honor its patron saints each year?

A Romanian parish in England marked the feast of its patron saints Raphael and Parthenius with a full cycle of services that drew families from several counties. At the same time the Romanian Orthodox Church kept the memory of the Dormition of Righteous Anna and the 165 Fathers of the Fifth Ecumenical Council, while its hierarchs followed the published schedule for the eighth Sunday after Pentecost. In the United States the Orthodox Church in America announced that Archbishop Nathaniel has blessed a new troparion for Archimandrite Roman Braga, whose cause for canonization is advancing through the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate. Bulgarian parishes observed the same feast of Saint Anna as protector of mothers and families, and the Church of Greece held solemn vespers at the monastery of Agia Anna in Glavki. These quiet commemorations across continents show how local patronal feasts and shared saints continue to link Orthodox communities in ordinary parish life. How does your own parish keep the memory of its patron saints?

In the morning light, incense smoke slowly rises in the empty church. A calm start to the day.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has opened enrollment for its Sunday school program in Montreal for the coming year. Local families can now register children for weekly classes that combine catechism, language lessons, and activities centered on the lives of the saints. This comes as the Church of Greece holds solemn vespers for Saint Anna at historic sites like Agia Anna in Thripti Ierapetra, drawing attention to her role as patron of motherhood. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Church wrapped up a three-day religious creation camp in Argeș where children explored faith through art and prayer, and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia prepares to bring the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron icon to Bulgaria in August for the first time. These initiatives show a steady focus on passing tradition to the next generation across continents. In Montreal the emphasis remains practical: helping kids feel at home in both their heritage and the parish community. What has worked best in your own parish’s summer or school-year programs for children?

Abbot Polycarp recently reminded a gathering that monastic life is not about fleeing the world but sprinting straight toward God with open arms. The same day the Orthodox Church of Ukraine marked the Dormition of Righteous Anna with akathists in the Near Caves of the Lavra, while the Romanian Orthodox Church welcomed 35 young people from Great Britain to its first ROARCH Youth Camp. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Teodosije led participants of the Prizren summer spiritual school deeper into patristic wisdom, and the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Gerasim nominated as the next bishop of Dallas and the South after a nominating assembly presided over by Metropolitan Tikhon. Each setting showed the same forward motion: young people, monastics, and hierarchs all choosing to run toward Christ rather than away from daily noise. The quiet decision to step closer to God keeps appearing across very different corners of the Church. How has the call to draw nearer shown up in your own parish or family lately?

Beautiful white walls and blue domes under the summer sky. On such a clear day, one immediately wants to stand there for a while in silence.

Bishop Irenei of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia will lead a delegation to Bulgaria in August, bringing the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron icon of the Theotokos for the first visit to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The icon, long venerated for its miraculous flow of myrrh, is expected to draw faithful from across the country for prayer and veneration during its stay. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America held a nominating assembly in the Diocese of the South, where Bishop Gerasim was chosen as candidate for bishop of Dallas and the South under Metropolitan Tikhon. In Greece, Metropolitan of Arkalochori joined celebrations at the Church of Agia Christina in Lagouta, marking the saint’s feast with solemn Vespers and local parishioners. The Romanian Orthodox Church wrapped up its first ROARCH Youth Camp in Britain, gathering thirty-five young people around daily worship and fellowship. Each event shows how icons, feasts, and simple gatherings quietly strengthen parish life. How has a visiting icon or local feast touched your own parish routine?

Metropolitan Tikhon presided over the nominating assembly for a new bishop in the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the South. Delegates gathered to review candidates and discuss the needs of parishes stretching from Florida to Texas. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the feast of St. Anna with services focused on motherhood and family life, while Sunday schools in Montreal began enrollment for the coming year. The Romanian Orthodox Church observed the same feast, commemorating St. Anna alongside the Holy Fathers of the Fifth Ecumenical Council and adding local saints Olympias and Eupraxia to the calendar. In Ljubljana, the Serbian Orthodox Church introduced its “Path of Virtues” program to elementary students, blending daily lessons with simple acts of kindness and prayer. These parallel events show how each local church balances its own practical tasks with the shared liturgical rhythm of the year. How has the feast of St. Anna been kept in your own parish this summer?

Serbian children in Ljubljana are taking part in a new school program that teaches the classic path of virtues through daily lessons and simple stories from the lives of the saints. The initiative, run with the local parish, helps kids connect faith with everyday choices like patience, humility, and courage. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Sunday School at St. Ivan Rilski in Montreal has opened enrollment for the 2026–2027 year, offering classes that blend language, history, and Orthodox formation for the next generation. In Greece, the Church of Greece welcomed the holy relic of Saint Demetrius Gagastathi to Amfilochia with quiet reverence and a full program of services. From the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Tikhon led the Diocese of the South nominating assembly where Bishop Gerasim was chosen as candidate for bishop of Dallas and the South. These quiet efforts across different corners show how Orthodox communities keep passing on the faith one child and one lesson at a time. How has your own parish helped young people learn the virtues lately?

A narrow path can be seen in the forest that leads to a small wooden chapel. A quiet place to pray.

Abbot Polycarp recently explained that true monastic life is not an escape from the world but a direct run toward God, embracing obedience, prayer, and stillness as paths to divine presence. His words echo across several corners of the Church this week. The Romanian Orthodox Church heard similar teaching from Bishop Gherontie Hunedoreanu, who described confession as a daily cleansing of the soul through honest repentance that draws the believer closer to Christ. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Teodosije guided young people at the Prizren summer spiritual school, stressing the need for disciplined inner work that opens the heart to God rather than hiding from daily struggles. Meanwhile, Saint Vladimir Seminary, serving multiple jurisdictions, prepared nearly 130 catechists to carry this same spirit of pursuit into parishes and beyond. The Bulgarian ecclesiastical community in Paris also marked the feast of Saint Panteleimon, remembering how the saint ran toward healing and faith amid suffering. How has the call to run toward God shaped life in your own parish or monastery?

After the rain the courtyard stones catch the light so nicely. A quiet moment before the next shower.

Serbian Orthodox educators in Ljubljana have rolled out "The Path of Virtues," a practical program guiding elementary children through lessons on humility, patience, and courage drawn from the lives of saints. The weekly sessions blend storytelling, simple crafts, and group discussions, giving diaspora families a structured way to pass on the faith amid busy urban life. At the same time, the Bulgarian Sunday School at St. Ivan Rilski in Montreal opened enrollment for the 2026-2027 year, offering language classes alongside Scripture and church history. In Romania, Metropolitan Antonie reminded local officials in Criuleni that church and state share the task of serving ordinary people, while Bishop Veniamin visited the Red Parish Summer School to encourage the children there. Across the Orthodox world these quiet initiatives show how communities keep handing down the same virtues generation after generation. What practical lessons or programs have helped the young people in your own parish?

The morning light streams in through the windows and the incense still hangs in the empty church. A quiet moment before the day begins.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Sunday school at St. Ivan Rilski in Montreal has opened enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year, giving families another chance to register children for classes that combine language, faith, and Bulgarian traditions. At the same time the Serbian Orthodox Church runs its “Path of Virtues” program for elementary pupils in Ljubljana, while the Romanian Orthodox Church continues to stress the power of regular confession as a steady cleansing of the soul. In the United States, the Orthodox bishops have tightened funeral guidelines to address irregular practices that have appeared in some parishes. These local efforts show how each diocese quietly keeps the next generation connected to the faith through concrete teaching and clear boundaries. The Bulgarian school in Montreal, the Serbian after-school circle in Slovenia, the Romanian emphasis on repentance, and the American bishops’ updated policies all point to the same daily work of handing on what was received. How does your own parish or diocese support children and families in learning the Orthodox way of life?