The bell up in the belfry looks like it's waiting to be touched. The light falls right on her and makes everything around quiet and peaceful.

Romanian Orthodox communities abroad continue to grow, with families scattered across Europe and North America facing the daily challenge of keeping faith alive without the familiar support of village parishes. Patriarch Daniel has urged local dioceses to strengthen ties with these families through regular visits, catechism programs, and practical aid like language classes for children. In the United States the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate is preparing to welcome a fragment of Saint Herman of Alaska’s relics at its upcoming congress, offering a tangible link to the saints for diaspora believers. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox parish in Montreal quietly hosts a simple coffee gathering this week, a small but steady way to draw scattered families together. The Church of Greece has focused on restoring historic sites that remind emigrants of their roots, while the Serbian Diocese of Bačka appeals for blood donors, showing everyday care that reaches beyond borders. These efforts help keep homes connected to the Church no matter the distance. May the Mother of God watch over all Romanian families living far from home.

Youth from several dioceses of the Church of Greece have gathered on the island of Leros for their annual summer camp. The program mixes morning prayers, talks on the lives of the saints, swimming in the Aegean, and evening discussions around campfires. Local clergy lead workshops on iconography and Byzantine chant, giving the teenagers hands-on contact with the Church’s tradition. At the same time the Romanian Orthodox Church is marking the forefeast of the Dormition with services at Nicula Monastery, while the Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomes the Hawaiian icon of the Virgin to Varna. The Orthodox Church in America continues its summer diocesan work with a pastoral visit to Pittsburgh Southside this weekend. These gatherings show how different Local Churches keep the rhythm of prayer and fellowship alive even in August heat. How is your own parish spending these last weeks of summer?

Sixty-five years ago today, on August 15, 1961, the young Bartholomew was ordained to the diaconate in the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. That quiet step in a small chapel set the course for one of the longest-serving leaders in modern Orthodoxy. The anniversary comes as the Patriarchate also released reflections on contemporary saints and the difference between personal holiness and the Church’s dogmatic authority. In Romania, Metropolitan Nicolae issued a pastoral letter for the Dormition, calling it the feast of our living hope and reminding the faithful how the Mother of God’s departure strengthens the baptized. The Church of Greece saw new chant ordinations in Rhodes, while the Serbian Diocese of Bačka appealed for voluntary blood donors, tying practical charity to the fast of the Dormition. Across the Bulgarian Diocese of Varna the Hawaiian icon of the Virgin has arrived for veneration. Each local Church marks these summer days in its own steady rhythm. How is your parish observing the Dormition fast or the feast itself?

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is putting on a parish coffee this Saturday at St. Ivan Rilski in Montreal, giving people a chance to gather after liturgy, share food, and catch up with one another in the ordinary way that keeps small communities going. At the same time the Church of Greece diocese in Crete has been raising money and sending aid to families who lost homes in recent fires while also marking the feast of St. Titus with local celebrations. From the Romanian Orthodox Church, Bishop Macarie reminded the small group of Romanians in Bergen that the Mother of God simply leads each believer to Christ, a quiet word that fits the Dormition fast days. And the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia observed the feast of the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross with the usual cycle of services that mark the turning of the church year. These modest events, one coffee hour, one collection, one homily, one calendar day, show how each diocese tends its own patch. The Montreal crowd will probably end up talking about.

Youth from the Church of Greece gathered this summer on the island of Leros for a series of youth camps focused on prayer, service, and fellowship. The program included daily liturgies, talks on the lives of the saints, and practical work helping at local monasteries and villages. In parallel, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Veliko Tarnovo drew crowds to its cathedral to venerate the miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God, with many reporting answered prayers during the recent feast. The Romanian Orthodox Church in Cluj-Napoca opened a new Renaissance Gallery dedicated to selling icons, prayer books, and liturgical items, giving local believers easier access to quality church goods. Meanwhile, the Serbian Orthodox Church highlighted the restored chapel inside the historic pirg at Rmnja monastery, where frescoes and woodwork have been carefully renewed by volunteers. These quiet efforts show how each local church keeps the faith alive in its own setting. May readers hold the young people on Leros, the faithful in Veliko Tarnovo, Cluj-Napoca, and Rmnja in their prayers today.

A stone church with two domes against a background of heavy clouds. The photo turned out very calm.

Here is what real homemade sarma looks like in preparation. You see the beautifully arranged cabbage leaves and all that meat and rice filling in the pot. It smells good already.

Romanian Orthodox leaders are paying fresh attention to families scattered across Europe and North America. Patriarch Daniel has urged parishes to keep closer ties with those who left for work, offering practical help with catechesis, youth programs, and simple material aid so children do not grow up disconnected from the faith. In the United States the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate is already acting: a fragment of St. Herman of Alaska’s relics will travel to their 94th Congress, giving diaspora believers a tangible link to the saints. Meanwhile the Bulgarian diocese in Montreal keeps its own small community strong with an ordinary parish coffee on August 16, a modest gathering that often draws recent immigrants. The Church of Greece diocese of Kitros reports steady interest from summer visitors in its pastoral projects, many of them families now living abroad who return for a few weeks each year. Serbian hierarchs in Banja Luka marked the consecration of two new churches and a parish house, quiet signs that even modest local building can support wider networks. Romanian monasteries like Rohia are also opening their doors wider to pilgrims from overseas. The pattern seems clear: distant homes need steady, unglamorous connection more than grand declarations.

The Bulgarian Orthodox parish of St. Ivan Rilski in Montreal is holding a parish coffee this Saturday, August 16, giving local families a relaxed chance to gather after the Divine Liturgy, share food, and talk. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America is preparing to receive a fragment of the relics of Saint Herman of Alaska at its 94th Annual Congress, while the Diocese of Varna in Bulgaria welcomes the Hawaiian miraculous icon of the Virgin, though it will not travel on to Dobrich. In Greece, the Metropolitan of Maroneia received a visit from the Superintendent Mufti of Komotini, underlining quiet local cooperation. These ordinary moments of hospitality, veneration, and neighborly contact show how parishes keep the rhythm of church life going week by week. May these communities be remembered in prayer.

At work in the accounting department, I often have to have lunch with colleagues, and fasting is strict now. Yesterday in the dining room I only took buckwheat with mushrooms, and they ate salad with chicken, it even became awkward. How do you usually get out of such situations so as not to break the fast and not confuse people?

The Serbian Orthodox Church is marking the Days of the Mother of God with special services and processions in Subotica this week. Crowds gathered at the local cathedral for molebens and veneration of the icon of the Theotokos, while families brought fresh flowers and baked prosphora to share after the liturgies. At the same time the Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed the Hawaiian miraculous icon of the Virgin to the Diocese of Varna, though it will skip Dobrich on this journey. In Romania, Patriarch Daniel consecrated a new reliquary containing the relics of Saint Maria Brâncoveanu and her sons at a monastery near Bucharest. The Orthodox Church in America announced that a fragment of the relics of Saint Herman of Alaska will travel to the 94th Annual Episcopate Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate later this month. These coordinated observances show how Marian feasts continue to draw Orthodox believers together across borders and jurisdictions.

My youngest daughter is already seven, and she often says that she does not want to pray in the evening because she is tired. I try not to force it, but I want prayer to be natural for her, not an obligation. What do you do with your children to not push, but still teach?

Yesterday, after my shift in the kitchen, I walked past the church, it was almost nine o'clock and still warm. I sat on a bench by the wall, listened to the evening carols, and smelled the linden trees. Then I got home and still had time to water the tomatoes in the garden.

Sixty-five years have passed since Patriarch Bartholomew was ordained to the diaconate on the island of Imbros. The Ecumenical Patriarchate marked the anniversary quietly with reflections on his long service, including a short personal note recalling the simple words “Jesus alone” that guided him from the beginning. In Romania, the Putna Monastery is preparing to celebrate its patronal feast of the Dormition with the traditional procession of relics, while Nicula Monastery has already begun its days of prayer and pilgrimage centered on the same feast. The Serbian Orthodox Church highlighted the restored Udrim monastery dedicated to Saint Panteleimon, where the community sees the building’s revival as a sign of resurrection after years of neglect. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed the Hawaiian miraculous icon of the Virgin to the Diocese of Varna, though plans to take it further to Dobrich were set aside for practical reasons. May these local churches continue to serve with steady hands and open doors.

The Feast of the Origin of the Honest Cross falls this week, reminding Orthodox Christians everywhere that the wood of the Cross is not just a relic from the past but a daily tool for patience and small victories. In the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia parishes mark the day with the ancient procession of the Cross through towns, carrying it to bless fields and homes. The Church of Greece saw Bishop Amfilochios of Kissamos lead faithful in a pilgrimage at Falasarna, where locals prayed for strength in everyday labors. Meanwhile the Romanian Orthodox Church noted the translation of relics of St Maximus the Confessor, whose writings on bearing the cross in ordinary life have fresh resonance now. In the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Meletii consecrated a new summer church throne in Ispas, a quiet sign that the Cross continues to anchor communities amid change. These observances turn an old feast into practical encouragement: carry your own small cross with steadiness, whether at work, in family duties, or quiet prayer. How does your parish keep the memory of the Honest Cross alive in daily routines?

Youth from across the Church of Greece gathered on the island of Leros this summer for a week of prayer, teaching, and fellowship focused on the Dormition of the Theotokos. Daily liturgies, quiet hours by the sea, and evening talks helped the young people connect the feast with their own lives. At the same time the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America prepares to receive a fragment of St Herman of Alaska’s relics at its 94th Congress in the Midwest, while the Serbian Orthodox Church marked the renewed chapel at Rmnja monastery with a solemn liturgy attended by local families. In Bulgaria the miraculous Hawaiian icon of the Virgin reached Varna’s cathedral, drawing steady crowds for veneration before continuing its journey. These events show how feast days and holy objects still draw Orthodox people of every age and nation into concrete acts of worship and community.

The old church stands among the ruins, and behind it new houses have already grown. You look and think how everything is changing around.

The Serbian Orthodox Church is marking the Days of the Mother of God with special services and gatherings in Subotica this week. Local clergy and faithful filled the Church of the Holy Trinity for molebens and processions focused on the Theotokos, drawing families from across the Bačka region. At the same time the Diocese of Banja Luka consecrated two new churches and a parish house, while the Diocese of Bačka issued a fresh appeal for voluntary blood donation to support community needs. Elsewhere the Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed the Hawaiian miraculous icon of the Virgin to the Diocese of Varna, though it bypassed Dobrich. In the Church of Greece, authorities in Preveza moved forward with plans to protect and promote the historic Pantokrator Castle. The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America announced that a fragment of the relics of Saint Herman of Alaska will travel to its 94th congress. These coordinated local efforts keep the feasts grounded in everyday parish life.

Romanian Orthodox leaders are focusing on families living abroad this week. Patriarch Daniel has called for stronger pastoral support for Romanian communities scattered across Europe and beyond, urging parishes to help preserve faith, language, and family bonds far from home. At the same time, the youngest Romanian bishop encouraged young people in the diaspora to act as bridges between their new countries and their roots rather than building walls. In related news, pilgrims gathered at Rohia Monastery to mark a full century of monastic life there, while Jerusalem’s Patriarch honored the memory of Romanian Saint John Jacob at Choziba Monastery. Elsewhere, the Serbian Orthodox Church consecrated two new churches and a parish house in the Eparchy of Banja Luka. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed the Hawaiian miraculous icon of the Virgin to the Diocese of Varna. In the Orthodox Church in America, clergy in Pittsburgh prepared for an upcoming pastoral visit to the Southside parish. May the intercession of the Mother of God keep these communities firm in faith and close to one another.

Bulgarian parishioners at St. Ivan Rilski in Montreal gathered after liturgy for their regular coffee hour, filling the hall with the smell of fresh brew and homemade banitsa. Families from the small Bulgarian Orthodox community in Canada chatted about summer plans while kids ran between tables. The modest event followed the parish’s recent veneration of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God that traveled from Hawaii to the Diocese of Varna but skipped Dobrich this time. In Romania, believers from three Sibiu villages stood together in an open field for the Sacrament of Holy Unction, their quiet prayers mixing with the wind through the grass. The Serbian Church marked the “Days of the Mother of God” in Subotica with evening services that drew steady crowds. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America prepared a pastoral visit to Pittsburgh’s Southside this weekend, part of its regular diocesan rhythm. These simple gatherings keep the daily life of the Church moving along.

The church stands so majestic, with three tops and all the saints on the walls. It turned out well in the photo, it's easy to look at.

Sixty-five years have passed since Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was ordained to the diaconate in the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The milestone was marked quietly with reflections on his long service, including a new statement recalling the simple words “Jesus alone” that have guided his ministry. At the same time the Serbian Orthodox Church highlighted the restored beauty of the chapel inside the defensive tower at Rmnja monastery, where frescoes and carved wood once again draw pilgrims. In Romania, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem visited Choziba Monastery to honor the recently glorified Saint John Jacob of Neamț, whose ascetic life continues to inspire monks there. The Orthodox Church in America held its regular summer Diocesan Council at the chancery, reviewing practical matters for parishes across the continent. These ordinary acts of memory, restoration, and steady administration keep the daily life of the Church moving forward. May the communities in Constantinople, Serbia, Romania, and North America receive strength for the tasks ahead.

The Feast of the Origin of the Honest Cross fell on August 1/14 this year, reminding believers of the Cross as a daily source of strength rather than an abstract symbol. In the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, parishes marked the day with services recalling the ancient procession of the Life-Giving Wood through Constantinople for healing the sick. At the same time, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church connected the feast directly to the start of the Dormition Fast, urging the faithful to carry small crosses in their pockets as a practical aid during the coming weeks of stricter fasting and prayer. The Romanian Orthodox Church used the surrounding days to highlight hope in the coming Dormition, while the Church of Greece encouraged its dioceses to treat the feast not as folklore but as a call to forgive daily irritations the way Christ forgave from the Cross. These observances show how one ancient feast quietly shapes ordinary choices at home and at work.

The Bulgarian Orthodox parish of St. Ivan Rilski in Montreal is hosting its traditional parish coffee this coming Saturday, August 16. Local families will gather after liturgy for shared food, conversation, and fellowship in the church hall, a regular event that helps keep the small émigré community connected. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Church saw believers from three Sibiu villages come together for an open-air Holy Unction service, drawing families into the fields for common prayer. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, two new churches and a parish house were consecrated in the Eparchy of Banja Luka, marking visible growth in that diocese. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia observed the feast of the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross according to the traditional calendar. May the parishes in Montreal, Sibiu, Banja Luka, and the ROCOR communities be strengthened in their daily life together.

The red bricks with these crisp white lines, and the domes rising behind them. It makes you want to stop for a moment.

Last weekend I drove out to that little monastery near Healesville. The service was quiet, just a handful of us, and the old wooden church smelled of beeswax and incense like it always does. I stayed for lunch afterwards – simple lentil soup and fresh bread – then walked a bit in the garden before heading home.

Serbian Orthodox faithful in Subotica marked the Days of the Mother of God with processions, hymn singing, and evening services centered on the feast of the Dormition. At the same time the Romanian Orthodox Church heard Bishop Macarie remind the community in Bergen that the Mother of God quietly leads believers toward her Son, while Patriarch Daniel consecrated a new reliquary containing the relics of Saint Maria Brâncoveanu and her sons in Romania. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church drew attention to the miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God at the cathedral in Veliko Tarnovo, where local believers gathered for prayer ahead of the fast. In North America the Orthodox Church in America prepared to receive a fragment of the relics of Saint Herman of Alaska at the upcoming congress of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate. These parallel observances across distant dioceses show the same quiet pattern of turning toward the Theotokos at the height of summer. The fast has now begun in earnest.

Youth from the Church of Greece gathered this summer on the island of Leros for a week of prayer, talks, and simple fellowship focused on the Theotokos. The program included daily liturgies, discussions on living the faith amid modern distractions, and quiet time by the sea. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church heard its youngest bishop encourage young people in the diaspora to act as bridges between cultures rather than walls. In Serbia, the “Days of the Mother of God” events in Subotica drew families for processions and talks centered on the Assumption. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed the Hawaiian icon of the Virgin to the Diocese of Varna, where it remained for veneration before traveling on. These gatherings show how local churches keep drawing younger generations back to the basics of Orthodox life.

Romanian Orthodox leaders abroad report growing numbers of families facing isolation and weakened ties to parish life after years of migration across Europe and North America. Patriarch Daniel has called on all dioceses to strengthen practical support, including regular visits by priests, catechism classes in local languages, and material aid for young parents. In the Romanian Patriarchate, three Sibiu villages recently gathered for open-air Holy Maslu, showing how shared prayer still binds communities at home. The Orthodox Church in America noted similar needs during its summer diocesan council, where plans were discussed to expand outreach to Romanian-speaking households in the Midwest. Meanwhile, the Serbian Orthodox Church welcomed new cooperation with Romanian clergy in mixed-border areas to help families keep feast days together. From the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the arrival of the Hawaiian icon of the Mother of God in the Varna diocese reminded many emigrants of the spiritual roots they left behind. May the Lord grant these scattered families strength and keep their parishes lively.