Metropolitan Onufriy today marks 12 years as primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. His steady leadership has drawn messages of support from many corners, including a warm note of congratulations from the head of the Orthodox Church in America. In Serbia the Transfiguration Council gathered at Žabljak to reflect on church life and mission. The Romanian Orthodox Church saw its bishop in Australia call on families to pass the faith to their children with care and consistency, while the Georgian Patriarchate hosted Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon to prepare for Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III’s upcoming visit to Constantinople. These quiet acts of service, teaching, and dialogue continue across widely different settings. May the Lord grant strength and wisdom to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church, and the Georgian Orthodox Church in the year ahead.

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije spoke on forgiveness, reconciliation and love in a sermon that drew attention across several local churches this week. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, the community also marked the consecration of the foundation stone for the House of Saint King Dragutin in Teslić, a practical step toward long-term parish growth. The Romanian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Daniel praise the rebuilt church in Canada that rose from ashes after last year’s fire, while Bishop Samuel Bistrițeanul reminded the faithful how the Mother of God conceived the Son by the Holy Spirit. From the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, the diocese released a set of new prayers for mothers facing pregnancy, labor and the days after birth, offering clear words families can use at home. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed the Miraculous Hawaiian Icon of the Holy Virgin to Rila Monastery, where crowds gathered quietly for veneration. These ordinary acts of rebuilding, prayer and gathering keep turning up in different corners of the Church.

The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia welcomed Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada to the Ruskoka youth camp, where he spent time with young people at the church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. In the same week the diocese released a new set of prayers for expectant mothers, covering pregnancy, labor, and the days after birth. Elsewhere the Romanian Orthodox Church saw a bishop in Australia call on families to make teaching the faith to children a daily priority. The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese ran four fully booked summer sessions at Antiochian Village, drawing families from across the country for a busy season of camp life. Bulgarian Orthodox faithful at Rila Monastery received the visiting Hawaiian Icon of the Holy Virgin, filling the grounds with pilgrims. These quiet efforts show steady care for the next generation and for those bringing new life into the Church. May readers keep the youth, the mothers, and all these communities in their prayers today.

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil traveled to the monastery in Zheleznitsa on the feast of the Assumption and blessed the crowds of pilgrims who filled the grounds. At the same time the Bulgarian parish of St. George the Victorious in Orlando marked the same feast with services that drew local faithful. In Greece, the island of Paros held solemn observances for Saint Arsenios, while the Romanian Orthodox Church noted the rebuilding of a burned parish in Canada under the encouraging words of Patriarch Daniel. From Jerusalem came word of pilgrims arriving from Estonia to venerate at the Patriarchate. Across the Atlantic the Orthodox Church in America remembered the long service of Protopresbyter Dumitru Ichim, who reposed at age 82. These quiet commemorations, spread across continents, show how one feast still gathers people in familiar churches and open courtyards. The pattern continues.

Old prayer room opened with a candle. The light falls just so that only the faded words on the page are visible.

The church is white, with colorful domes and a green roof. I always love how calm he looks in this photo.

The Church of Greece marked a joyful milestone with the inauguration of a new parish church in Dibri, where local faithful gathered for the first Divine Liturgy in the freshly consecrated space. In parallel, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Daniil bless residents and visitors at Zheleznitsa during the Feast of the Assumption, drawing families from nearby villages. From the Romanian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Athanasius spoke of the Holy Martyrs of Brâncove as living icons of domestic faith, while Metropolitan Arsenije of the Serbian Orthodox Church led Liturgy at the historic Žiča monastery, reminding worshippers of its centuries of quiet witness. These moments reflect the steady rhythm of parish life and episcopal care across distant dioceses. May the communities in Dibri, Zheleznitsa, Brâncove, and Žiča receive strength for the year ahead.

The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the feast of St. George the Pilgrim with special services at Văratec Monastery, where the venerable mothers who shaped its early spiritual life received particular honor. At the same time the Bulgarian Orthodox Church kept the memory of Saint John of Rila alive with prayers at the Rila Monastery, which also welcomed the Miraculous Hawaiian Icon of the Holy Virgin. In North America the Orthodox Church in America invited mission parishes to apply for 2027 planting grants, while the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia released new prayers for mothers facing pregnancy, labor, and the first months after birth. These coordinated observances across distant dioceses show how local saints and practical pastoral tools continue to anchor everyday church life in different corners of the Orthodox world. This matters because such steady commemorations and quiet initiatives keep the faith rooted in concrete communities rather than abstract ideas.

The Russian Church Abroad has published a new set of prayers for mothers during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period while Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada visited the Ruskoka youth camp and the church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria. In the same week the Antiochian Village completed four sold-out summer sessions that drew families from across the United States. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed the Miraculous Hawaiian Icon of the Holy Virgin to Rila Monastery, where monks and pilgrims prayed before it during the feast of the Assumption of Saint Ivan Rilski. Separately, the Romanian Orthodox Church marked the rebuilding of a parish in Canada that had burned in 2023, with Patriarch Daniel sending words of encouragement to the community. These varied activities show how different dioceses continue to support family life, young people, and historic shrines in ordinary but steady ways. What similar efforts has your own parish undertaken lately to help families or youth?

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije delivered a sermon calling for forgiveness, reconciliation and love amid present trials. In Ukraine the canonical Church continues to face mounting pressure while its hierarchs stress fidelity to Christ over political demands. The Romanian Orthodox Church saw its parish in Canada reopen after last year’s fire, with Patriarch Daniel offering encouragement, and another bishop in Sydney reminded the faithful that the Mother of God stays close to everyday believers. Meanwhile the Russian Church Outside Russia published special prayers for mothers in pregnancy, labor and the months after birth, and Archbishop Gabriel visited the youth camp Ruskoka in Canada to strengthen young people in the faith. These quiet acts of pastoral care and steady witness appear across distant dioceses. May these communities be remembered in prayer today.

During Lent, yesterday I made Lenten cabbage rolls with buckwheat and mushrooms instead of meat. I used sauerkraut, they were soft and well seasoned, even my husband praised them. There are a few pieces left, I'll take them fishing today.

Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria blessed crowds of pilgrims and local residents gathered in Zheleznitsa for the Feast of the Assumption, leading prayers at the historic monastery site. In Romania, Metropolitan Antonie remembered the last hierarch of Balti before the Soviet occupation during a service at Văratec Monastery, while the rebuilt Romanian church in Canada received warm words from Patriarch Daniel after the 2023 fire. The Serbian Patriarchate highlighted the quiet glory of Naupara Monastery as monks prepared for the upcoming Transfiguration Council in Žabljak. Across the Atlantic, the Orthodox Church in America announced several new beginnings in its dioceses, from fresh parish initiatives to youth programs starting the school year. May these local feasts strengthen the bonds between the Bulgarian, Romanian, Serbian, and American communities.

The candles burning gently in the church give a calm light. It makes you think of the silence that we sometimes seek.

The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the feast of St. George the Pilgrim and the venerable mothers of Văratec with services at the historic monastery, where Metropolitan Antonie remembered the last Romanian bishop of Balti before the Soviet occupation. In Sydney the local Romanian bishop reminded the faithful that the Mother of God stays close to every Christian. At the same time the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated the glory of Naupara Monastery and held a church slava at Banjska. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia published new prayers for mothers during pregnancy, labor, and the days after birth, while the Orthodox Church in America noted the passing of Protopresbyter Dumitru Ichim. Quiet work continues across these corners of the Church, each in its own setting.

Metropolitan Onufriy marked twelve years as primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with a quiet service that drew messages of support from across the Orthodox world. The primate of the Macedonian Church praised his steady witness to the Gospel amid ongoing trials. Serbian bishops voiced concern over the growing pressure the Ukrainian Church continues to face. At the same time, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia released a new set of prayers for mothers facing pregnancy, labor, and the weeks after birth, offering practical help to families in its dioceses. In Romania, Bishop Ignatius reminded clergy that the Mother of God can lead believers back to the peace found in Christ’s words, while another Romanian bishop serving in Sydney spoke of her continued presence among scattered Christians. The Georgian Patriarchate hosted Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon to discuss Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III’s coming visit to Constantinople. Small, steady steps like these keep the daily life of the Church moving forward even when larger questions remain unresolved.

A new church was inaugurated in Dibri by the Church of Greece, filling the local faithful with quiet satisfaction after years of planning and construction. In parallel, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Daniil bless residents and visitors in Zheleznitsa for the Feast of the Assumption, while the Romanian Orthodox Church completed rehabilitation of the Leșu Dam in Bihor with new biodiversity safeguards, the first of its kind in the country. The Serbian Orthodox Church marked a century and a half since the events at Boj near Gornji Adrovac with commemorations that drew steady crowds. These separate moments across distant dioceses show how ordinary parishes and bishops keep tending to both spiritual and practical needs of their people. Such steady work holds communities together.

His Grace Bishop Raphael ordained Daniel Nicholls to the Holy Diaconate yesterday at the Cathedral of St Luke in Glasgow. It was the Feast of the Dormition, so the church was full and the Liturgy felt especially joyful. A good day for our Scottish community.

Metropolitan Onufriy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has completed 12 years as primate. The head of the Macedonian Church sent warm congratulations, noting how the UOC continues to witness the Gospel amid every difficulty. Believers gathered near the Kyiv Lavra to pray especially for him on the anniversary. Elsewhere, the Romanian Orthodox Church saw a monastery in Harghita mark thirty years since its foundation stone was laid, while another parish church in Canada that burned in 2023 is being rebuilt with encouragement from Patriarch Daniel. In the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Shio III hosted Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon from the Ecumenical Patriarchate and discussed plans for an upcoming visit to Constantinople. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church observed the feast of its heavenly patron Saint Ivan Rilski with hundreds of faithful at Rila Monastery. How has your own parish marked anniversaries or feast days lately?

On Saturday I went for the weekend to a small monastery near St. Petersburg, the one by the lake. I lit candles by the icon of Nicholas, then just sat in the church - quietly, only the birds outside the window. I was traveling back by bus and thought that I needed to get out more often, otherwise it was all work and football.

The sun's rays break through the clouds directly above the cathedral. The light is so soft that everything around seems to be quiet.

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije spoke on forgiveness, reconciliation and love during a recent sermon that resonated across several local churches. In Trebinje, the Transfiguration festivities drew crowds focused on turning from old hurts toward peace. The Romanian Orthodox Church marked progress in Canada as a parish in Christchurch, New Zealand, celebrated Romanian Migrants Sunday with renewed hope after last year’s fire damage. Meanwhile, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia released a set of prayers for mothers during pregnancy, labor and the months that follow, offering practical support for family life. From Bulgaria, the Rila Monastery received the Miraculous Hawaiian Icon of the Holy Virgin, reminding believers of shared veneration that crosses oceans. These quiet moments of preaching, rebuilding and common prayer show how the faith keeps knitting communities together. May we remember the Serbian, Romanian, Russian and Bulgarian churches in our prayers today.

The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia published a set of prayers specifically for mothers during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. At the same time Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal visited the Ruskoka youth camp and the church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God in Canada, spending time with the young people and encouraging their faith life. In Greece Elder Ephraim spoke about the everyday virtues of humility, self-awareness, and patience in a new video reflection. The Serbian Orthodox Church saw Metropolitan Arsenije serve the Liturgy at Žiča monastery, one of the historic centers of Serbian monastic tradition. Meanwhile the Romanian Orthodox Church consecrated the new church at Turnu Roșu Monastery with Saint Andrei Șaguna as its second patron. These practical steps in different corners of the Church show how teaching, prayer, and community life continue quietly across jurisdictions.

A new church was inaugurated in Dibri by the Church of Greece, filling the local faithful with quiet satisfaction after years of planning and fundraising. In the same spirit of local celebration, Bishop Evripos led a bright feast for Agios Timotheus at Orei, drawing crowds from neighboring villages who lingered for the meal afterward. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed the Miraculous Hawaiian Icon of the Holy Virgin at Rila Monastery, where pilgrims queued patiently from early morning. Over in North America the Orthodox Church in America remembered the long service of Very Reverend Protopresbyter Dumitru Ichim, whose funeral drew clergy from several states. The Serbian Orthodox Church highlighted the restored beauty of Mali Sion monastery, its frescoes now clear again after careful cleaning. Each of these moments shows steady work continuing across different corners of the Church.