Here is a nice stone carving with lions and that Byzantine medallion in the middle. There are beautiful decorations around, and above you can see the top of the church.

Yesterday I lit a candle at St. Stephen's for an old friend, Ion, who left five years ago. We knew each other from fishing on the lake near Sibiu, where we sat for hours without talking much. Today, with the fast of the Dormition, I thought of him again while preparing the tomatoes from the garden for the table. True friendship lasts even after one is gone.

The Dormition feast draws believers toward deeper communion with God, as noted by the Archbishop of Canada. In Romania, Bishop Timotei of Prahova reminded the faithful at Putna that the Mother of God is needed now more than ever in troubled times. Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, under the Ecumenical Patriarchate, delivered a reflection on the Virgin’s dormition during the liturgy at the Church of the Annunciation in Imbros. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church prepared a special Holy Liturgy for the Assumption at St. Sophia parish in Chicago, while the Antiochian Archdiocese saw Metropolitan Saba lead Dormition services that gathered families in prayer. These gatherings show the feast quietly pulling Orthodox Christians from different corners into shared worship and remembrance. The focus stays on turning hearts toward God through Mary’s example rather than outward spectacle. This matters because the Dormition quietly anchors daily faith in something eternal.

Summer camps and youth activities continue across Ukrainian Orthodox Church dioceses this season. In several regions children attend day programs that mix games, prayer, and simple chores on parish grounds, while older teens join overnight trips focused on hiking and talks about saints. The UOC headline notes these efforts bring clear benefits for both body and spirit, with many families reporting stronger ties to their local church afterward. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Chicago held an Assumption picnic that drew families for food, singing, and games after liturgy. In the Orthodox Church in America, Archbishop Nathaniel presided at the Dormition parish in Anaheim, where youth helpers took part in the services and procession. The Romanian Orthodox Church heard Patriarch Daniel underline the Mother of God’s constant presence through prayer, words that many camp counselors echoed in their evening reflections. How are the summer programs unfolding in your own parish this year?

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem Synod has issued a strong call for greater protection of Christians remaining in the Holy Land amid ongoing pressures. In the same week, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced several new priestly ordinations and pastoral appointments aimed at strengthening local parishes. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the Dormition with Patriarch Daniel urging believers to hold fast in faith and trust. Across the Atlantic the Bulgarian parish of St. Ivan Rilski in Chicago prepared a simple outdoor picnic following the liturgy so families could share a meal under the summer sky. The Romanian Orthodox Church observed the feast with a vigil in honor of the New Martyr Holy Lady Maria Brâncoveanu, drawing faithful to reflect on courage passed down through centuries. These quiet acts of remembrance and service continue across distant corners of the Church. May the Mother of God shelter and strengthen the communities in Jerusalem, Bulgaria, and Romania.

The interior of this church is so beautifully decorated, with a high vault and fine fabrics. A very peaceful place to pray.

Serbian Orthodox believers gathered today to mark the transfer of Saint Stephen’s relics, filling monasteries and churches with prayers offered for the salvation of souls. At the monastery of Saint Archdeacon Stefan in Slanci the faithful spoke of the saint’s intercession with quiet confidence, many staying after services to light candles and read akathists. In the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, long lines formed in Varna before the Hawaiian icon of the Mother of God, while the parish of St. Ivan Rilski in Chicago prepared a simple picnic to celebrate the Dormition. The Romanian Orthodox Church observed Maramureș Day alongside the memory of the New Martyrs of Wallachia, with Bishop Paisie reminding listeners of the close bond between God and humanity shown in the Theotokos. From the Orthodox Church in America, Archbishop Mark urged parishes to keep supporting active ministry programs that reach both adults and children. These ordinary acts of remembrance and gathering continue quietly across jurisdictions.

The Romanian Orthodox Church’s Metropolitan of Bessarabia reminded the faithful during the Dormition Fast that saying no to passions is the daily work that clears space for God. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church heard Patriarch Daniel urge believers gathered for the Assumption to keep persevering and to trust the Mother of God’s intercession. In Greece, the Church of Greece highlighted the ancient mountain churches of Drama where locals still walk in procession with the icon of the Dormition. The Orthodox Church in America opened its fifth annual Evangelism School, inviting clergy and laity to strengthen practical ministry skills. These reports show how the fast draws different corners of the Church back to the same basics: self-control, endurance, and quiet honor of the Theotokos. The shared focus matters because it keeps the spiritual life grounded across cultures and jurisdictions.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has released a short video unpacking the traditional names given to bishops, showing how each title carries layers of history, theology, and local custom that link today’s hierarchs to the early Church. In Chicago, the St. Ivan Rilski parish marked the Dormition with a simple outdoor picnic after liturgy, drawing families for food and conversation. The Serbian Orthodox Church observed the transfer of the relics of Saint Stephen with special services that reminded believers of the power of intercession. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Church noted the feast of the New Martyrs of Wallachia, Prince Constantine Brancoveanu and his sons, alongside local observances for Maramureș Day on the same date. These quiet commemorations and explanations keep the memory of the saints alive in ordinary parish life. They matter because they quietly connect past and present without fanfare.

Evening, the trace of the cat was cleaned up from the flight, the lamp was lit in front of the icon in the yagla on the hall. Mary, I and my daughters recited “Our Father” and “Virgin Mother of God” adorably, somehow ordinarily. Afterwards you go away and study, and sit down with your wives for a little while and quietly.

The kids in their blue uniforms look neat standing there in front of that big old church door. Nice to see them all together like that.

Serbian Orthodox believers gathered today to mark the transfer of Saint Stephen’s relics, offering prayers specifically for the salvation of the soul. In Slanci the monastery of Saint Archdeacon Stefan held its annual glory celebration with hymns and a procession that drew families from surrounding villages. At the same time the Romanian Orthodox Church remembered New Martyrs Prince Constantine Brancoveanu and his four sons on their feast, with services in Cluj-Napoca linking military tradition to the witness of faith. The Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel preside at the Lamentations of the Birthgiver of God in Anaheim, while the Bulgarian parish of Saint Ivan Rilski in Chicago prepared an outdoor picnic after the Dormition liturgy. These quiet commemorations across different corners remind everyone how the calendar quietly ties past saints to daily life.

The Dormition Fast brings practical counsel from Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia in the Romanian Orthodox Church. He reminds the faithful that saying no to passions is not about harsh rules but about choosing freedom in Christ, a message echoed as many prepare for the feast of the Mother of God. In Greece, Archbishop Makarios joined the Dormition festival in Geelong under the Patriarchate of Alexandria, while the Ecumenical Patriarchate marked the feast with Vespers at the Monastery of Panagia Kalyviani on Crete. Over in America the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel preside at the Lamentations service for the patronal feast at Dormition parish in Anaheim. Bulgarian parishes also gathered in large numbers, venerating the Hawaiian miraculous icon in Varna and holding festive Liturgy at St Sophia in Chicago. These local observances show how the fast quietly steadies daily life across widely different settings. How is your own parish approaching the Dormition Fast this year?

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church released a new video that unpacks the traditional names given to bishops, showing how each title carries centuries of meaning tied to service, geography, and spiritual fatherhood. In the same week the Church of Greece highlighted how the Mother of God continues to inspire national unity, while the Romanian Orthodox Church reminded believers of the duty to honor her on the feast of the Dormition. Meanwhile the Serbian Orthodox Church marked the transfer of the relics of Saint Stephen with special services across its dioceses, drawing crowds of the faithful. These reports arrive alongside news from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, where new ordinations and placements strengthened local clergy, and from the Orthodox Church in America, whose Archbishop Mark called for sustained focus on ministry growth. The Bulgarian video stands out for making ancient custom feel immediate and practical for today’s viewers. May the communities in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Jerusalem and America receive grace and steady guidance in their work.

The old church ruins stand quietly between the rocks. All you can see are the thick walls, everything else has been taken away by time.

Summer camps for children and youth are in full swing across Ukrainian Orthodox Church dioceses this season. Parishes in several regions organized outdoor programs that mix prayer, games, and simple chores like tending gardens or helping at local shelters. The headline activity roundup from UOC sources notes how these days strengthen both body and soul through fresh air, shared meals, and evening talks on saints. Nearby, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese marked 45 years of its Teen SOYO program at Antiochian Village with a Special Olympics-style gathering that drew families from multiple states. In the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the St. Ivan Rilski parish in Chicago hosted an Orthodox picnic on the feast of the Mother of God, blending food, music, and quiet prayer under the trees. The Romanian Orthodox Church observed Maramureș Day on August 15 with open-air liturgies that included young people carrying banners and singing. These efforts show how ordinary summer days keep faith alive for the next generation.

The Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem has issued a direct call for greater protection of Christian communities in the Holy Land amid ongoing pressures. At the same time Romanian Orthodox parishes marked the feast of the Dormition with special services remembering the New Martyrs of Wallachia, while the Serbian Orthodox Church observed the transfer of relics of Saint Stephen with large gatherings at monasteries. In the United States the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel lead the patronal feast at Dormition parish in Anaheim, drawing families for liturgy and a shared meal afterward. These coordinated observances of the same feast across distant dioceses highlighted both local customs and common prayer for peace. A modest reminder that quiet fidelity still holds its place.

The Archbishop of Canada reminded the faithful that the Dormition feast invites every believer into closer communion with God through the Theotokos. In parallel, Metropolitan Saba of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch presided over the Dormition liturgy, drawing hundreds to prayer and reflection on Mary’s role in salvation. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a festive Holy Liturgy at St. Sophia parish in Chicago, while the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel celebrate the patronal feast at the Dormition parish in Anaheim. These coordinated observances across continents show the feast still shapes daily parish life in tangible ways. This matters because the Dormition quietly anchors the calendar and keeps the call to communion concrete for ordinary believers.

The church looks peaceful with the fountain splashing away in front. Golden domes catch the light nicely on a quiet afternoon.

The Romanian Metropolitan of Bessarabia reminded the faithful during the Dormition Fast that saying no to passions is the sure path to inner freedom. In Wallachia the New Martyrs Prince Constantine Brancoveanu and his sons are remembered for their steadfast witness. At the same time the Church of Greece heard Metropolitan Dimitriados tell crowds in Volos that the Mother of God unites all Orthodox and remains their true strength. In Bulgaria Patriarch Daniel urged perseverance and quiet trust on the feast of the Assumption itself. These simple calls to self-control, honor, and endurance echo across jurisdictions as the fast draws to its close. May these local churches be held in prayer.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church released a short video unpacking the traditional names given to bishops, showing how each title like “of such-and-such city” carries layers of history, geography, and spiritual responsibility. In the same week the Serbian Orthodox Church marked the transfer of Saint Stephen’s relics with prayers for the salvation of the soul at monasteries across the country. The Romanian Orthodox Church observed Maramureș Day on August 15, honoring local saints and the region’s deep monastic roots. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America held its fifth annual Evangelism School, training clergy and laity to bring the faith into everyday neighborhoods. These coordinated observances around the Dormition of the Theotokos remind everyone that the Church’s structure and memory are not abstract but lived out in concrete places and names that still shape daily Orthodox life.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s Synod has issued a direct call for greater protection of Christians remaining in the Holy Land amid ongoing pressures. At the same time the same patriarchate is already organizing events to mark two thousand years since the Baptism of Christ, showing both concern for the present and care for the future of the faith there. In Greece, Archbishop Makarios of Australia sent a message on the Theotokos that was read during Dormition services, while the Church of Crete held its Holy Provincial Synod and released an official announcement. The Romanian Church marked the Sunday after Pentecost with new hierarchal service schedules and a fresh translation of the Image Not-Made-by-Hands from Edessa, and the Serbian Church commemorated the transfer of Saint Stephen’s relics with prayers offered across parishes. These quiet, steady steps of remembrance and practical leadership continue.

This old church sits quietly behind the fence. It looks solid and beautiful as is.

In the evening after dinner we always light the small lamp in front of the icon of the Mother of God in the corner. Then we pray the evening prayer together, my husband usually reads Psalm 90 and the boys say the Lord's Prayer. Afterwards it's really quiet in the living room, only the lamp stays on for a while.

The Archbishop of Canada reflected on the Dormition feast as an invitation to deeper communion with God through the Theotokos, whose passing opens the way for believers to share in resurrection hope. In the Antiochian tradition Metropolitan Saba led the celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos with clear emphasis on her maternal intercession drawing families closer to Christ. The Romanian Patriarch Daniel reminded the faithful that the Mother of God remains present in the world through her constant prayers, tying the feast to everyday reliance on her protection. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel preside at the patronal feast for Dormition Parish in Anaheim, where local families gathered for liturgy and fellowship. Quiet words on the feast often land with practical weight, reminding people that communion grows in small, repeated turns toward the altar rather than grand gestures.

Serbian Orthodox believers gathered today to mark the transfer of Saint Stephen’s relics, offering prayers specifically for the salvation of the soul and the repose of the departed. The observances at the monastery of Saint Archdeacon Stefan in Slanci drew steady crowds who lit candles and joined the liturgical services. Meanwhile, the Romanian Patriarch Daniel reminded the faithful that the Mother of God remains present through her constant intercession, a theme echoed during Dormition celebrations at Ghighiu Monastery. In Bulgaria, hundreds queued in Varna this morning to venerate the Hawaiian icon of the Virgin Mary, turning the square into a quiet river of prayer. From Jerusalem, the Patriarchate’s Synod issued a fresh call to protect Christians across the Holy Land, while the Ukrainian Orthodox Church released the first installment of a new study guide on the history of Local Orthodox Churches for its theological students in Kyiv. Each setting shows the same rhythm of feast, remembrance, and quiet hope.

The ceiling in this church is something else. All those painted angels and gold details catch the light just right and make you stop and look up for a while.

Youth camps in several Ukrainian Orthodox Church dioceses wrapped up their summer programs with days filled with prayer, games, and talks on the saints. In the Khmelnytsky diocese, teenagers from the Kamianets-Podilsky area finished entrance tests for the icon painting school after a week of camp that mixed drawing lessons with morning liturgies. Further west, the Lviv diocese ran its annual river-side gathering where young people helped restore a small chapel and learned basic choral singing. The Odesa diocese hosted a beach camp that ended with a Dormition vigil, drawing families from nearby parishes for evening bonfires and discussions on holy icons. In the Poltava region, one group focused on service projects, visiting elderly parishioners and planting flowers around village churches. These ordinary summer weeks show how steady, hands-on activities keep the faith alive for the next generation.