Jamie Raskin’s new book makes a strong case that Christians have to be part of the pushback against Christian nationalism. He says the real threat isn’t faith itself but the idea that one version of it should run the country. Interesting to see a longtime congressman lay it out that plainly.

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil blessed pilgrims gathered for the Assumption feast at the monastery in Zheleznitsa on August 18. The same day the Church of Greece marked the memory of Saint Neomartyr Dimitrios of Samarinis, while Serbian Metropolitan Arsenije served the Liturgy at the historic Žiča monastery. In North America the Romanian Orthodox bishop in Australia reminded families of their duty to hand on the faith to children, and the Orthodox Church in America welcomed Bishop Vasily during his visit to parishes on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains. These quiet moments of prayer, teaching, and gathering show how the Church keeps moving forward across very different places. May readers hold the Bulgarian, Greek, Serbian, Romanian and American communities in their prayers today.

The Church of Greece marked the inauguration of a new parish church in Dibri, drawing crowds of local faithful for the first Divine Liturgy inside its freshly painted walls and simple wooden iconostasis. In Serbia, the Serbian Orthodox Church observed the 150th anniversary of the church near Gornji Adrovac with quiet services and families laying flowers at the old graves. From Canada, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia reported Archbishop Gabriel’s visit to the Ruskoka youth camp, where he served with the clergy at the church of the Smolensk Icon and spoke with the teenagers over lunch. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Daniil bless residents and visitors at Zheleznitsa on the Feast of the Assumption, standing in the square as bells rang across the valley. Each gathering reminded everyone that ordinary parishes keep opening their doors week after week.

The church looks quiet across the river, the evening light falling softly on it. I really liked the calmness of the picture.

The Russian Church Abroad has published a new set of prayers for mothers during pregnancy, labor, and after childbirth while Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal visited the Ruskoka youth camp and the church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. In the Antiochian Archdiocese, the Antiochian Village wrapped up four sold-out summer sessions that drew families from across the country. Bulgarian parishes marked the feast of Saint John of Rila, honoring the heavenly patron of the Bulgarian people with services and processions. The Romanian bishop in Sydney reminded his flock that the Mother of God remains present among Christians, encouraging families to pass on the faith to their children. These quiet efforts keep parishes grounded in everyday sacramental life. The prayers will likely find their way into many homes.

Metropolitan Onufriy marked twelve years as primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with quiet services at the Lavra where believers gathered to pray for him. In the same week the Church of Greece observed the memory of the holy martyrs Floros and Lavros, while Romanian communities in Sicily held Migrants’ Sunday, remembering those far from home. The Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil visited Zheleznitsa to bless residents on the Feast of the Assumption, and the Orthodox Church in America invited missions to apply for planting grants for 2027. These separate corners of church life continue their ordinary work of prayer, restoration, and outreach without fanfare. May these communities be held in prayer.

The Romanian Orthodox Church is marking the feast of St. George the Pilgrim while also remembering the venerable mothers of Văratec Monastery, whose quiet lives of prayer and hospitality shaped generations of nuns. In the same week the Romanian metropolitan visited Canada and reminded the faithful that believers pass from death to life by being filled with Christ. Elsewhere, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church kept the memory of Saint John of Rila, whose mountain hermitage still draws pilgrims after a thousand years. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia released a set of new prayers for mothers during pregnancy, labor, and the months after birth, a practical help many families had been asking for. Meanwhile the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated the glory of Naupara Monastery with its restored frescoes and steady rhythm of services. Each of these corners of the Church shows the same pattern of holding fast to the saints of old while tending to the daily needs of the living. The feasts keep turning.

The new church in Dibri, Greece, opened its doors this week with a full consecration service that drew crowds from nearby villages. Local families filled the nave for the first Divine Liturgy, many carrying small icons and fresh basil from their gardens. In Romania, Metropolitan of Oltenia spoke at the Polovragi Monastery consecration, reminding everyone that the Mother of God shows what the Church itself is meant to be. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the 1080th anniversary of Saint Ivan Rilski’s dormition at Rila Monastery, where hundreds came on foot to pray for health and steady work. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia released a fresh set of prayers for mothers expecting babies or recovering from birth, simple texts meant for daily use at home. The Serbian Orthodox Church highlighted the long history of Naupara Monastery, its frescoes still speaking after centuries. Each of these corners of the Church keeps finding ways to mark the feasts with what people already have on hand.

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije spoke on forgiveness, reconciliation and love in a sermon that cut through current tensions with quiet clarity. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, the recent slava at Banjska monastery and the feast at St. Stephen in Gornji Žapski showed the same emphasis on community bonds and steady prayer. Over in the Romanian Orthodox Church, Bishop Samuel Bistrițeanul reminded the faithful how the Mother of God conceived the Word by the Holy Spirit, while another Romanian bishop in Sydney underlined her ongoing presence among Christians. The Georgian Patriarchate hosted Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon for talks centered on Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III’s coming visit to Constantinople, a meeting described as practical and forward-looking. Meanwhile the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia published new prayers for mothers through pregnancy, labor and early days with a child. These small steps across jurisdictions keep the focus where it belongs.

This man with his white and purple robe and light wig looks very serious in front of the window and the books. I liked how the light looks coming into the room.

White church among green trees and grass. Well worth it, calm.

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil blessed crowds of pilgrims at the Assumption feast in Zheleznitsa, drawing hundreds who came for prayer and the quiet joy of the summer liturgy. In the same spirit, the Serbian Orthodox Church marked its church slava at Banjska monastery with traditional hymns and local families filling the grounds. From Jerusalem, pilgrims arriving from Estonia were received by the Greek Patriarchate there, bringing news from home parishes and sharing simple fellowship after long journeys. Meanwhile, a Romanian bishop serving in Australia reminded parents in his diocese to keep teaching the faith at home, handing out practical guides for evening prayers with children. The Rila Monastery also saw its own solemn crowd marking 1080 years since the Dormition of Saint Ivan Rilski, protector of the Bulgarians, with believers lighting candles and asking for health. These feasts keep pulling people together across distances.

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.