Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew marked 65 years since his ordination to the diaconate on the feast of the Dormition. In Constantinople, Vespers took place at the Monastery of Panagia Kalyviani while the Holy Provincial Synod of the Church of Crete met earlier in the week. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced new clergy placements and ordinations and called for continued protection of Christians in the Holy Land. Meanwhile the Romanian Orthodox Church observed the feast at Ghighiu Monastery with prayers for the New Martyrs Brâncoveanu and the translation of the Image Not-Made-by-Hands. In the United States the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel celebrate the patronal feast at Dormition parish in Anaheim, California, and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a festive Liturgy at St. Sophia Church in Chicago. These gatherings across continents show how the same feast draws local communities together in familiar worship. May these local churches and their faithful be remembered in prayer today.

Yesterday afternoon I went to the church yard to water the basil and geraniums. The leaves had wilted a bit from the heat, but after the water they looked better. This morning I will spend again before the service to tidy up the dry branches a bit, my daughter said to bring some soil from home.

The Orthodox Church in America’s Archbishop Nathaniel marked the Dormition at Anaheim’s namesake parish, reminding the faithful that the feast shows humanity’s call to share in God’s life through communion. At the same time the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel urged believers to hold fast in trust during the Assumption services, while Romanian Patriarch Daniel sent greetings to the Boian parish in Canada for completing their church rebuild. In Greece, crowds immersed themselves in the quiet beauty of the historic Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni in Ierapetra, pausing amid the summer heat to venerate the Theotokos. These varied expressions across continents all circle back to the same quiet hope the feast offers: that ordinary people can draw closer to the divine through prayer, work, and patience. How has the Dormition been kept in your own parish this year?

Bulgarian diocese in Chicago welcomed the Hawaiian Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Virgin Mary during its Dormition celebrations, drawing steady crowds to the parish picnic that followed the Liturgy. The same feast brought large pilgrimages to the miraculous icon on Tinos in the Church of Greece, while Antiochian Archbishop in Australia joined faithful at the Geelong festival for the Dormition. In the Orthodox Church in America, Archbishop Nathaniel presided at the patronal feast for the Dormition parish in Anaheim, and Romanian parishes marked the day with the memory of the New Martyrs of Wallachia. May the Mother of God keep these communities in her gentle care.

The Romanian Orthodox Church has begun special preparations for the Dormition of the Theotokos, with parishes marking the forefeast through extra prayers and icon processions. At the same time, the Church of Greece is airing tributes and talks on Pemptousia TV, while the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is set to hold a festive Liturgy in Vienna today for the Assumption. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch has issued its daily synaxarion for August 15, reminding the faithful of the feast’s importance across many jurisdictions. Elsewhere, the Orthodox Church in America wrapped up its fifth annual Evangelism School in one diocese, focusing on practical ways to share the faith. These quiet rhythms of fasting, teaching, and gathering show how the same Marian feast draws different local churches together in their own settings. How is your parish marking the forefeast or the Dormition itself?

The church with its golden roofs shines in the sun. The green grass and trees around her look so peaceful today.

A white church with a golden dome stands among the grass, with cars parked around it. Beautiful and calm.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew marked 65 years since his ordination to the diaconate, a milestone that drew quiet attention across several jurisdictions. In Jerusalem the Synod issued a fresh call to safeguard Christians in the Holy Land amid ongoing pressures. Bulgaria’s Patriarch Daniel, speaking on the Dormition, urged the faithful to hold steady in trust and prayer. The Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel preside at the Lamentations service in Anaheim, while Romanian churches blended the feast with Navy Day observances and reflections on the hope of resurrection. Elsewhere the Serbian Patriarch Porphyria addressed questions about a possible new diocese, and the Russian Church Outside Russia noted continued support for a New York monastery facing local development issues. These varied moments show how the same Marian feast lands differently in each place, some with public statements, others with local services or quiet milestones. The thread running through them feels practical rather than dramatic.

Thousands worshiped before the Hawaiian miraculous icon of the Virgin in Varna as the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the Dormition. The icon, known for its reported myrrh-streaming, drew long lines of faithful at the cathedral. At the same time the Orthodox Church in America’s Archbishop Nathaniel presided over the Lamentations service in Anaheim, while the Romanian Orthodox Church reminded believers that each person has a duty to honor the Mother of God. In Greece the Church of Greece opened five new free summer camps under the Dendia strategy, giving children a place to rest and pray during the feast. The Antiochian Archdiocese celebrated the Dormition quietly across its parishes, keeping the focus on the Theotokos. Local Bulgarian clergy noted the warmth of the crowd and the steady flow of families who came after work or traveled from nearby towns. A simple sign of shared devotion across distances.

Here is the plaque on the Methodist Church building on Carrollton Avenue. Simple and neat, you can immediately see that the place is old and has a lot of memories.

The Orthodox Church in America highlighted the Dormition feast through Archbishop Nathaniel presiding at the Lamentations of the Birthgiver of God in Anaheim and Archbishop of Canada noting how the feast reveals humanity’s calling to life and communion with God. In the Romanian Orthodox Church, faithful marked the same day with services for the New Martyrs of Wallachia and the schedule of hierarchal liturgies for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch observed the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos while its Teen SOYO group marked 45 years of Special Olympics work at Antiochian Village. Meanwhile, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople heard a speech by Metropolitan Melitonos on the Dormition at the Church of the Annunciation in Imbros. These local observances show the feast drawing people back to basics of prayer, service, and union with Christ. May readers hold the parishes and monasteries keeping the fast in their prayers today.

Greek Orthodox youth from the Antiochian Archdiocese wrapped up another lively session at Camp St. Thekla, mixing daily prayers, theology talks, and plenty of games and hikes that left everyone refreshed. At the same time, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church kept its summer programs rolling in several dioceses, offering children and teens a blend of spiritual reflection and outdoor activities that strengthen both body and soul. Over in the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus spoke about the upcoming feast of unity, reminding listeners of the bonds that hold Orthodox Christians together. The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the Dormition at Putna Monastery, where the homily gently noted how much people today lean on the Mother of God for strength in everyday trials. The Orthodox Church in America wrapped up its fifth annual Evangelism School, giving clergy and laypeople fresh tools for sharing the faith back home. These gatherings show how ordinary summers become moments of quiet growth across jurisdictions.

Serbian Patriarch Porphyry has firmly rejected rumors about the creation of a new Boka Kotorska diocese, stating that no such decision has been made and that any future steps would follow proper canonical order. At the same time, Romanian Patriarch Daniel reminded the faithful that the Mother of God remains present in the world through her constant prayers, encouraging perseverance especially on the feast of her Dormition. In the Church of Greece, large vigils and solemn vespers took place in Thessaloniki and Loutra Edipsos, drawing crowds for the same feast. The Orthodox Church in America highlighted Archbishop Nathaniel’s teaching that the Dormition shows humanity’s call to eternal life and communion with God. These reports show how different Local Churches mark the great feast while handling their internal questions with care. Let us hold the Serbian, Romanian, Greek, and American communities in our prayers today.

Inside the church, the bricks on the ceiling form beautiful star-shaped arches, and soft light enters through the high arches. Calm and bright place.

The Romanian Orthodox Church is marking the forefeast of the Dormition with special services across parishes, tying the feast to national observances like Romanian Navy Day. In Canada, Patriarch Daniel sent congratulations to the clergy and faithful of Boian Parish for completing their church reconstruction just in time for the Marian celebrations. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church will hold a festive Holy Liturgy at St. Sophia parish in Chicago, drawing local faithful into the same rhythm of preparation. The Orthodox Church in America’s Archbishop of Canada offered a reflection on how the Dormition shows humanity’s call to life in communion with God, a theme echoed in quiet parish gatherings from Geelong to Komotini. These local efforts show how the same feast quietly shapes calendars and decisions far from one another. What Dormition customs or preparations stand out in your own parish this year?

Last week, I went on the weekend to that small monastery near Kyiv. I stood at the evening service, and after the service, the sisters treated us to uzvar and crackers with poppy seeds - very simple, but so homely. I'm already thinking how to break out there one more time before the end of Assumption Lent.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew marked 65 years since his ordination to the diaconate on August 14. The anniversary fell during the fast leading to the Dormition, a feast that drew attention across several local churches this week. In Romania the Metropolitan of Bessarabia reminded the faithful that fasting teaches believers to say no to passions. The Serbian Orthodox Church held solemn celebrations at the monastery of Saint Archdeacon Stefan in Slanci, where the relics of Saint Stephen were also commemorated. From Jerusalem came news of new clergy placements and ordinations along with a synodal call to protect Christians in the Holy Land. The Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel preside at the Lamentations service for the Theotokos in Anaheim while its Diocese ran the fifth annual Evangelism School. These gatherings and quiet labors continue amid the shared rhythm of the fast and the great feast. May these communities be remembered in prayer this Dormition season.

Serbian Patriarch Porphyry issued a clear statement ruling out any plans to establish a new diocese in Boka Kotorska, ending months of speculation and reaffirming the existing structure of the Serbian Church. In related news, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s synod appealed for greater international protection of Christian communities in the Holy Land amid ongoing pressures. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the Dormition with two lively gatherings in Chicago, including a parish picnic at St. Ivan Rilski and a solemn Liturgy at St. Sophia. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel lead the Lamentations service for the Theotokos at the cathedral in Anaheim, drawing large crowds for prayer and reflection. These developments show steady attention to order, local witness, and devotion across widely separated dioceses. May these communities be remembered in prayer today.

Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese in the United States has welcomed the Hawaiian Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Virgin Mary for a series of special services marking the Dormition. The visit drew steady crowds of faithful who came to venerate the icon and pray together. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church marked the start of the Dormition Fast for those following the unrevised Julian calendar, with bishops like Paisie Sinait reminding everyone of the close bond between God and humanity shown in the Mother of God. In California, Orthodox Church in America Archbishop Nathaniel led the Lamentations service for the Birthgiver of God at the Anaheim cathedral, while the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch held its annual Teen SOYO gathering at Antiochian Village to celebrate 45 years tied to the Special Olympics. These gatherings show how the feast brings different corners of the Church together in quiet devotion. May readers remember these communities in their prayers this week.

Teen SOYO at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch marked 45 years of Special Olympics with a lively gathering at Antiochian Village, while young people from the same jurisdiction headed straight into Camp St. Thekla for a week that blended serious faith discussions, quiet prayer times, and plenty of outdoor games under the summer sun. Over in Romania, Orthodox faithful keeping the unrevised Julian calendar quietly began the Dormition Fast, preparing body and soul for the coming feast. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church drew thousands in Varna to venerate the Hawaiian miraculous icon on the same day, with long lines forming before Liturgy. Meanwhile, the Church of Greece saw the Holy Metropolis of Syros celebrate the graduation of Blessed Archimandrite Dionysios Tzouvaras, a modest milestone for local clergy formation. These moments show how different corners of the Church keep the rhythm of fasting, feasting.

The Orthodox Church in America’s Archbishop of Canada described the Dormition as a quiet revelation of humanity’s true calling to full life in communion with God. In the same season the Ukrainian Orthodox Church released the second edition of its Liturgical Theology textbook, giving clergy and laity fresh tools for understanding worship. From Greece, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras reminded the faithful to shelter under the mercy of the Theotokos, while the Romanian Patriarch Daniel encouraged perseverance and trust on the feast itself. In Kenya the Russian Orthodox Church broke ground on new parish churches and a medical clinic, showing the feast’s call lived out in practical service. These simple acts of teaching, building, and turning toward the Mother of God keep pointing in one direction.

Romanian Orthodox Christians following the unrevised Julian calendar have begun the Dormition Fast, preparing their homes and hearts for the feast on August 15. In Maramureș, locals mark the day with traditional observances that blend civic pride and quiet devotion to the Mother of God. At the same time, hundreds gathered in Varna under the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to venerate the Hawaiian icon of the Theotokos, standing patiently in line from early morning. The Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel lead the Lamentations of the Birthgiver of God at the cathedral in Anaheim, while the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced new clergy placements and ordinations to strengthen its parishes. These simple acts of fasting, procession, and service continue across widely separated dioceses as the forefeast unfolds. May these communities be remembered in prayer.

The white church under the green dome stands calmly under a blue sky with clouds. Nice view, peaceful.

I made 3 trays of apple and cinnamon pie at home last night for the Sunday meal after Holy Liturgy. It turned out fluffier than last time, I used butter from the farmer's market. I'm going to bring a tray to the parish kitchen on Saturday evening, let's have something sweet to eat.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese in the United States has welcomed the Hawaiian Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Virgin Mary for special veneration during the Dormition feast. The icon, known for its ongoing miracles, drew large crowds to services in several parishes, where clergy and faithful prayed for healing and protection. Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria reported that Archbishop Makarios of Australia led a vibrant festival at the Dormition church in Geelong, with processions and traditional hymns filling the streets. In Romania, the Church held a solemn vigil for the Holy Lady Maria Brâncoveanu at Putna Monastery, reminding everyone of the need for the Mother of God’s intercession in difficult times. The Orthodox Church in America’s Archbishop of Canada spoke at local gatherings, explaining how the Dormition points to every person’s call to eternal life with God. May these local celebrations strengthen the bonds of faith across the named dioceses.

Greek Orthodox youth from the Antiochian Archdiocese wrapped up another lively session at Camp St. Thekla, mixing daily prayers, theology talks, and plenty of outdoor games that left everyone smiling. At the same time, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch marked the Dormition of the Theotokos with solemn services that drew large crowds. In North America the Orthodox Church in America reported strong attendance at its fifth annual Evangelism School, where participants practiced sharing the faith in everyday settings. Over in Europe the Bulgarian Orthodox Church prepared festive liturgies for the Assumption at St. Sophia in Chicago and another in Vienna, keeping the same feast front and center for diaspora communities. The Romanian Orthodox Church noted that some faithful following the unrevised Julian calendar have just begun the Dormition Fast, adjusting their kitchen routines accordingly. These gatherings show how the calendar quietly pulls people together across distances.

Serbian Patriarch Porphyry has clarified that no new diocese of Boka Kotorska will be created, putting an end to rumors that had circulated for weeks. In related news from the same local Church, the monastery of Saint Archdeacon Stefan in Slanci marked its annual glory with a large gathering of faithful. The Romanian Orthodox Church has begun the Dormition Fast for those following the unrevised Julian calendar, while Metropolitan Varlaam of Ploiești reflected on the feast as a living sign of resurrection hope. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America wrapped up its fifth annual Evangelism School, drawing clergy and lay workers from several dioceses to sharpen practical missionary skills. These quiet but steady steps show how each jurisdiction tends its own corner of the vineyard. May readers keep the Serbian, Romanian, and American communities in their prayers this week.