Ky gur i vjetër mbi derë ka shkronja të gdhendura që duken akoma qartë pas kaq shekujsh. E pashë dhe më bëri të mendoj sa kohë ka kaluar aty pa u prekur.

La liturghia de duminică m-a impresionat cum a cântat corul la Heruvic. Vocea Mariei era clară și se simțea că pune suflet, exact cum o fac și eu când cânt la strană. După aceea, la agapă, am stat cu copiii mei și am mâncat colivă făcută de doamna Elena, era foarte bună cu nuci prăjite.

The centenary of the repose of Savo Nakićenović, a longtime spiritual father and educator in the Serbian Orthodox Church, was observed with a solemn liturgy and talks at the monastery where he had served for decades. In the same week the Romanian Orthodox Church published the lives of Hieromartyr Eutyches, disciple of Saint John the Theologian, and the Persian martyr Sira, reminding believers of steadfast witness across centuries. The Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Metropolitan Leonty, recalling his work in building parishes and seminaries on American soil. Meanwhile the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople listed the saints and readings for the coming days, keeping the calendar of the universal Church visible to all. These quiet commemorations show how local histories remain tied to the shared memory of the faith.

Today the Orthodox Church in America marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Metropolitan Leonty, who led the Church through decades of growth and helped establish many parishes across the United States and Canada. His quiet work in education, missions, and care for immigrants still shapes Orthodox life here. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church remembered the early martyrs connected to St. John the Theologian, including Hieromartyr Eutyches and Martyr Tation, keeping their witness alive in services this week. In Greece, the historic Monastery of Ano Mera on Mykonos carried the icon of Panagia Tourliani in its annual procession through the village, drawing local families and pilgrims. These separate observances show how each local Church holds its own saints and traditions without losing the common thread of faith. May these communities be remembered in prayer.

A youth pilgrimage organized by the ROCOR diocese has departed for Serbia this week, with participants planning to visit historic monasteries and connect with local Orthodox communities there. At the same time the Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th anniversary of Metropolitan Leonty’s birth with quiet services remembering his work building parishes across North America. The Romanian Orthodox Church observed the memory of Hieromartyr Eutyches, disciple of St. John the Theologian, while Pan-Orthodox commemorations noted the repose of New-Hieromartyr Kosmas of Aitolia, Equal of the Apostles, on 24 August. These separate observances show how different jurisdictions keep the calendar and pass on the faith to younger generations in their own settings. How is your parish marking saints’ days or helping young people travel and learn together?

The Romanian Archdiocese of Arad has launched a supply drive for vulnerable children, gathering clothes, school supplies, and basic necessities for families struggling this autumn. In the United States, the Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Metropolitan Leonty with services highlighting his pioneering work among early immigrants. Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem quietly observed the memory of several saints from the early centuries, including local martyrs whose relics remain in regional monasteries. From the Pan-Orthodox sphere, a procession carrying the icon of Panagia Tourliani wound through the streets of Ano Mera on Mykonos, drawing locals and visitors to the historic monastery for prayer and fellowship. These four distinct corners of the Church show the same steady rhythm of care for the young, honor for the past, and devotion in the present. May their communities be remembered in prayer.

A new Byzantine music school opened its doors in Iași, Romania, offering free classes in chant and hymnody to students of every age. The program, run under the Romanian Orthodox Church, aims to hand on the ancient melodies that have shaped Orthodox worship for centuries. At the same time, the Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Metropolitan Leonty, remembering his work in building up parishes across North America. In a separate observance, the Ecumenical Patriarchate published the saints, feasts, and daily readings for 24 August 2026, helping parishes keep the liturgical calendar in order. These quiet initiatives show how different local Churches continue to pass on the faith through music, memory, and the daily cycle of prayer. What similar efforts are taking place in your own parish or diocese?

The Romanian Archdiocese of Arad has launched a supply drive for vulnerable children, gathering clothes, school supplies, and basic necessities for families struggling this autumn. Local parishes are coordinating collections and deliveries to ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle. At the same time, the Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th anniversary of Metropolitan Leonty’s birth with quiet services and reflections on his legacy of building parishes across North America. In a different corner, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church quietly remembered the feast of Hieromartyr Eutyches, disciple of St. John the Theologian, drawing small groups of faithful to morning liturgies. Meanwhile, Pope Francis called for renewed international aid to Ebola victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a plea echoed in Orthodox circles concerned with global suffering. These practical steps.

The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated this week in the new ROCOR parish in Liechtenstein, marking a quiet expansion into a country that previously had no permanent Orthodox presence. At the same time the Orthodox Church in America remembered the life of Protodeacon Alexei Dupay, whose decades of service touched many parishes across the United States. In Romania the Church kept the memory of Hieromartyr Eutyches, disciple of St. John the Theologian, alongside martyrs Tation and Sira of Persia. From the Ecumenical Patriarchate came a short statement that the Theotokos has no need of memorial services, accompanied by fresh photographs from recent gatherings. These four distinct corners of the Orthodox world show the same daily rhythm of worship, remembrance, and new beginnings. May these communities, near and far, be held in prayer.

The Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th birth anniversary of Metropolitan Leonty, the Russian-born hierarch who led the Metropolia through decades of growth and became a key figure in establishing American Orthodoxy. His tireless work in building parishes, training clergy, and fostering unity among immigrant communities still shapes many OCA dioceses today. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church observed the memory of Hieromartyr Eutyches, disciple of St. John the Theologian, reminding believers of the early witnesses who carried the faith under persecution. In Greece, the Monastery of Ano Mera on Mykonos hosted a solemn procession of the wonderworking icon of Panagia Tourliani, drawing local families and pilgrims for prayers and a modest festival meal afterward. These quiet commemorations show how each local Church keeps its particular saints and founders alive in daily practice. How does your parish remember its own founding hierarch or patron saints during the year?

A new Byzantine music school has opened its doors in Iași, offering free classes in chant and liturgical singing to students of every age. The initiative, launched by the Romanian Orthodox Church, aims to deepen parish participation in worship through traditional melodies that have shaped Orthodox services for centuries. Nearby, the Patriarch of Romania reminded the faithful that prayer gains strength only when joined with a pure life and generous almsgiving. In the United States, the Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th anniversary of Metropolitan Leonty’s birth, recalling his quiet labors to plant parishes across a vast continent. From the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, an American priest recently completed the St. Charbel Trail in Lebanon and urged more pilgrims to walk its historic paths. May these efforts bear lasting fruit in Iași, Washington, and Beirut alike.

A youth pilgrimage organized by the ROCOR diocese has departed for Serbia, where the group will visit historic monasteries and connect with local Orthodox communities. At the same time, the Orthodox Church in America marked the life of Protodeacon Alexei Dupay with memorial services that drew clergy and laity together across several deaneries. In Romania, parishes observed the leavetaking of the Dormition of the Mother of God, focusing on the Gospel account of the rich young man and the call to a life of prayer paired with almsgiving, as emphasized by the Patriarch. On Mykonos, the Church of Greece hosted the traditional procession of the icon of Panagia Tourliani at the Monastery in Ano Mera, drawing pilgrims from neighboring islands. These quiet acts of remembrance, travel, and feast-day observance continue to knit the Church together across continents. May the Lord grant safe journeys, peaceful memories, and steadfast faith to the young pilgrims, the Romanian faithful, and all who gathered in Mykonos and North America.

The centenary of Archimandrite Savo Nakićenović was commemorated this week in the Serbian Orthodox Church with services and talks highlighting his long service as a spiritual father and educator. At the same time, the Orthodox Church in America held quiet remembrances for Metropolitan Leonty on the 150th anniversary of his birth, recalling his role in building parishes across North America. In Romania, churches observed the leavetaking of the Dormition of the Mother of God alongside the memory of Hieromartyr Irenaeus of Lyons, drawing connections between early martyrs and local feasts. From the Ecumenical Patriarchate came the usual daily saints and readings for late August, keeping the rhythm of the calendar steady for parishes everywhere. These observances show how each local Church keeps its own teachers and feasts alive without losing the common thread. How did your parish mark a recent saint or anniversary this summer?

A new school of Byzantine music has opened its doors in Iași, Romania, offering free classes to students of every age. The initiative, backed by the Romanian Orthodox Church, aims to pass on traditional chant in a structured yet accessible way. Local choirs from the Metropolis of Iași have already begun attending evening sessions, while families bring children after school for introductory lessons on notation and voice placement. At the same time, the Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th anniversary of Metropolitan Leonty’s birth with quiet services and talks recalling his work among early immigrants. In Greece, parishes under the Church of Greece observed the leavetaking of the Dormition with familiar hymns that now find new students in Iași. The Serbian Orthodox Church posted a brief note of encouragement for those preserving liturgical music in the diaspora. The classes continue daily without entrance exams or fees. A modest courtyard near the school fills each afternoon with the sound of young voices learning the first lines of the Cherubic Hymn.

The Romanian Archdiocese of Arad has launched a supply drive for vulnerable children, gathering clothes, school supplies, and basic necessities ahead of the new school year. Local parishes are coordinating collection points and encouraging families to donate whatever they can spare. At the same time, the Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Metropolitan Leonty, remembering his quiet work building parishes across North America in the early twentieth century. A short memorial service and historical talk took place at his former cathedral. Elsewhere, the Ecumenical Patriarchate announced that Bishop William Barber will deliver a sermon on voting rights this Sunday in Atlanta, drawing on the Church’s long emphasis on human dignity. Pan-Orthodox calendars also noted the memory of St Irenaeus of Lyons, whose writings continue to shape how Christians speak about faith and reason. These modest efforts show how each diocese finds its own way to serve.

A youth pilgrimage organized by the ROCOR diocese has departed for Serbia, aiming to connect young people with the historic monasteries and saints of the region. The group will visit key sites tied to St. Sava and participate in services that highlight shared Orthodox heritage across borders. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Church observed the leavetaking of the Dormition of the Mother of God, marking the close of the feast with quiet liturgies and reflections on the rich young man from the Gospel. In North America, the Orthodox Church in America remembered Protodeacon Alexei Dupay in memorial services and also marked the 150th anniversary of Metropolitan Leonty’s birth with talks on his legacy of building parishes from scratch. Over in Greece, a procession carried the icon of Panagia Tourliani through the streets near the Monastery in Ano Mera on Mykonos, drawing locals and visitors alike for prayer and fellowship. These moments show how pilgrimage, memory, and local custom keep the faith grounded in daily life.

The centenary of the repose of Savo Nakićenović, a longtime spiritual father and protector of many families in the Serbian Orthodox Church, was marked with a solemn Liturgy and memorial at the monastery where he had served for decades. Clergy from several dioceses in Serbia and Montenegro gathered to read his letters of counsel and to remember how he quietly guided people through hardship with plain advice rooted in the Gospels. At the same time, the Orthodox Church in America held quiet services recalling the 150th anniversary of Metropolitan Leonty’s birth, highlighting his work in building parishes across North America. In Romania, the faithful observed the leavetaking of the Dormition with readings that included the story of the rich young man, a passage many priests used to speak about detachment from possessions. The Ecumenical Patriarchate published the saints and feasts calendar for late August, a simple tool that keeps distant parishes aligned with the same rhythm of prayer. These observances show how local memory and the shared calendar still hold everyday Orthodox life together.

The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated this week in the newly established ROCOR parish in Liechtenstein, marking a quiet expansion into a country that had no permanent Orthodox presence until now. Local families and a handful of visitors gathered in a modest rented space for the service led by clergy from neighboring Swiss dioceses. In North America the Orthodox Church in America marked the 150th anniversary of Metropolitan Leonty’s birth with memorial services and talks recalling his work among immigrants. The same jurisdiction also noted the passing of Protodeacon Alexei Dupay, longtime servant at several parishes in the Northeast. From the Romanian Orthodox Church came the commemoration of Hieromartyr Eutyches, disciple of Saint John the Theologian, while the Ecumenical Patriarchate published the saints and readings for the coming days. May the new parish in Liechtenstein grow steadily and bring comfort to all who worship there.