The Romanian Orthodox Church hosted a scholarly conference at the Bose monastic community in Italy exploring the life and rule of St Pachomius, the father of cenobitic monasticism. Participants examined early Egyptian sources alongside later Byzantine and Slavic adaptations of his communal model. At the same time, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that restoration work on the Church of the Resurrection is almost finished, while the Orthodox Church in America released a statement from Metropolitan Tikhon marking twenty-five years since the September 11 attacks. In Poland, parishes observed the centenary of the Lemko people’s return to Orthodoxy with services and lectures. These gatherings show how concrete historical memory and quiet restoration work continue to shape daily church life across jurisdictions.

Bulgarian Orthodox faithful marked the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the Holy Cross with a large procession through Sofia followed by a solemn liturgy at the Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky. The event drew thousands who carried crosses and icons along the city streets before the patriarch led prayers inside. At the same time the Serbian Orthodox Church held its own anniversary liturgy for the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in Visegrad, where local clergy and residents remembered the building’s long history with hymns and a festal meal afterward. In Bucharest the Romanian Orthodox Church completed the patronal feast at the metropolitan cathedral with a crowded service that included newly restored icons. The Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the South marked a quieter but steady observance by supporting the Orthodox Christian Deaf Association during Deaf Awareness Month, offering sign-language interpreters at several liturgies. How did your parish keep the feast of the Cross this year?

Serbian Patriarch Porphyry met this week with a government minister to discuss practical church-state issues ranging from property rights to religious education. At the same time the Romanian Orthodox Church marked the first official Huedin Romanian Martyrs Day, while parishes in Munich prepared to celebrate ten years since the consecration of their wooden St. Mary Church. The Church of Greece heard Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus speak on the papal doctrine of the Immaculate Conception in Orthodox perspective, and the Russian Church Outside Russia reminded the faithful of the strict fast observed on the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. These coordinated efforts show how local churches continue handling both internal spiritual formation and ordinary administrative realities side by side.

The Orthodox Church in America Diocese of the South is marking Deaf Awareness Month with fresh support for the Orthodox Christian Deaf Association, while this Sunday the OACA sends a pastoral team to visit Central City parish for services and fellowship. In Jerusalem, crews are putting the final touches on restoration at the Church of the Resurrection, work that has been steady for months. Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese ordained a new priest and deacon at a parish in Illinois, giving the local community two fresh workers for the altar. Over in Romania, the Patriarch honored institutions and individuals who backed the ITO program and spoke plainly about hopes for ongoing practical cooperation. These quiet steps across distant dioceses keep parish life moving forward in their own steady rhythm.

The Romanian Orthodox Church wrapped up a quiet but focused conference at the Bose monastic community in Italy dedicated to the life and rule of St Pachomius, the father of cenobitic monasticism. Scholars and monastics from several traditions examined how his fourth-century Egyptian model still shapes daily obedience, common prayer, and shared labor in modern monasteries. At the same time the Serbian Orthodox Church marked the liturgical feast of Saint Stephen Tronoški with a well-attended pilgrimage to his relics in the Fruška Gora hills. In North America the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the South continued its support for Deaf Awareness Month, partnering with the Orthodox Christian Deaf Association to make services and catechesis more accessible. Meanwhile the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced that restoration work on the Church of the Resurrection is nearly finished, with the final scaffolding due to come down before the next major feast. These gatherings and quiet labors show how the same ancient pattern of Pachomian life still quietly orders communities from the Balkans to the American South.

Polish Orthodox faithful gathered in Gorlice to honor St Maximus the Confessor with a solemn liturgy and procession through the town’s old market square. The local diocese prepared a special icon exhibition and invited clergy from neighboring parishes to concelebrate. At the same time the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel presided over events marking 1700 years since the finding of the True Cross, drawing large crowds to Sofia’s cathedral. In Illinois, the Antiochian diocese saw Metropolitan Saba ordain a new priest and deacon during a quiet morning service. The Serbian Church marked the Beheading of St John the Baptist with strict fasting and red vestments, while the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate in America opened its clergy conference ahead of the annual congress. Quiet work like this keeps the calendar alive across borders.

Camp Transfiguration youth program in the Antiochian tradition drew young people into a living experience of Orthodox faith this summer. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch highlighted hands-on activities, prayer, and teaching that helped participants encounter Christ in daily life. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked 1700 years since the finding of the Cross with Patriarch Daniel leading solemn celebrations across the country. In North America the Orthodox Church in America hosted its 94th annual Romanian episcopate congress, opening with a priests’ conference that focused on practical parish needs. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople issued a message for the new school and academic year, encouraging students and teachers to begin their studies with prayer and steady effort. These moments show how different local churches keep faith active for the next generation and for the whole community. May the Lord strengthen the youth and all who serve them in Antioch, Bulgaria, America, and Constantinople.

Serbian Patriarch Porphyry met with Hungarian government minister Bela Balint to discuss practical church matters affecting Serbian communities in the region. The conversation focused on property issues, education programs, and cooperation between Church and state officials. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked 1700 years since the finding of the Cross with solemn services led by Patriarch Daniel. In Jerusalem, workers reported that major maintenance on the Church of the Resurrection is almost finished, restoring key parts of the historic site. The Romanian Orthodox Church observed the first official Huedin Romanian Martyrs Day, while its patriarch awarded those who helped prepare for the 2026 international youth event. These coordinated efforts across borders show how local decisions and shared feasts keep Orthodox life steady from week to week.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the Holy Cross with a solemn procession through Sofia followed by Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky. Patriarch Daniel presided, joined by clergy and thousands of faithful carrying icons and crosses. In related news, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that restoration work on the Church of the Resurrection is almost finished, with new stonework and lighting ready for pilgrims. The Serbian Orthodox Church held a quiet liturgical commemoration for Saint Stephen Tronoški at his monastery, drawing local families for the feast. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America opened registration for its first clergy retreat of 2026, focused on practical parish leadership. These quiet, steady observances across distant dioceses show how the memory of the Cross still shapes daily church life. May the Lord strengthen the Bulgarian, Jerusalem, Serbian, and American communities in faith and unity.

The Orthodox Church in America has scheduled a pastoral visit by its leadership to Central City parish this Sunday, September 13. Such visits usually include liturgy, meetings with clergy and parishioners, and quiet encouragement for local life. Meanwhile the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric marked the feast of St. Fanurius in Stip with the usual procession and prayers. In Illinois the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch saw Metropolitan Saba ordain a new priest and deacon at one of its parishes, adding two more workers to the vineyard. Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel presided over solemn celebrations for the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the Cross, drawing crowds to Sofia. These ordinary moments of episcopal care, new ordinations, and historic commemorations keep the daily rhythm of parish and diocese moving forward.

The red brick church is clearly visible in this photo, with the crosses and the sky in the background. It is a quiet place.

Yesterday after work I baked prosphora for Sunday liturgy. I kneaded the dough as always, let it rise, then cut it out with a seal - it turned out to be exactly 28 pieces. Then I washed my hands of flour for half an hour, but at least they will be fresh in the altar.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the Holy Cross with a major procession through Sofia followed by a solemn liturgy led by Patriarch Daniel. Crowds carried icons and crosses while clergy chanted the troparion of the feast. At the same time the Church of Greece held its annual meeting for new clergy at the diocesan camps in Corfu, where bishops offered guidance on parish life. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch ran its Camp Transfiguration program, giving young people a week of worship, service projects, and teaching on the faith. In Poland the centenary of the Lemkos’ return to Orthodoxy was observed with a special pan-Orthodox liturgy and talks on their history of faithfulness. These coordinated observances show how local churches keep ancient events alive in the present day.

The Polish Orthodox Church marked the centenary of the Lemkos’ return to Orthodoxy with festivities in Gorlice honoring St Maximus the Greek. Hierarchs and faithful gathered for liturgy and talks recalling how the community reclaimed its faith after decades of pressure. At the same time the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held solemn services led by Patriarch Daniel for the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the True Cross, including a liturgical procession through Sofia. In Romania the new chapel at Bucharest Central Detention Centre was opened, dedicated to Sts Moses the Ethiopian and Demetrius the New, giving inmates a quiet place for prayer. The Antiochian Church saw Metropolitan Saba ordain a priest and deacon at a parish in Illinois, continuing steady growth in North America. These events show how local Orthodox communities keep marking their particular histories while caring for everyday spiritual needs.

Serbian Patriarch Porphyry met with a government minister this week to discuss practical church matters ranging from property rights to religious education. The conversation focused on concrete steps for cooperation between the Serbian Church and state institutions. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate in America opened its 94th annual congress with a clergy conference that touched on parish life and youth programs. In Greece, hierarchs rang the “first bell” for the new school year and held talks on education policy and church involvement in schools. The Bulgarian Church announced plans for a large liturgical procession to mark the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the Holy Cross. Elsewhere, maintenance crews are finishing repairs inside the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem, while the Antiochian diocese welcomed new clergy ordained in Illinois. These ordinary rhythms of church administration and local care continue across jurisdictions.

Clear sky above the old stone. The weather is good today, the wind barely moves the wind vane on top.

Yesterday in the church I lit a candle for an old friend, Fatmira, who left us two months ago. We worked together in the kitchen for many years, laughed and made pies together. True friendship remains even when people leave, I feel it every time I walk in.

The Romanian Orthodox Church hosted a scholarly conference at the Bose monastic community in Italy exploring the life and legacy of St. Pachomius, founder of cenobitic monasticism. Speakers examined how his fourth-century rules shaped communal prayer, work, and obedience still practiced across monasteries today. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church under Patriarch Daniel marked the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the True Cross with solemn processions and liturgies in Sofia. The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated the significant anniversary of the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Visegrad with festive services reminding the faithful of enduring local heritage. In North America, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch saw Metropolitan Saba ordain a new priest and deacon at a parish in Illinois, strengthening parish life for growing communities. These quiet acts of study, commemoration, and ordination keep the rhythm of the Church steady. May the intercession of St. Pachomius guide all the named communities in humble obedience.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord with a solemn liturgical procession through Sofia followed by Divine Liturgy at the Bistrica Monastery of St Joachim and Anna. Patriarch Daniel presided, joined by clergy and thousands of faithful who carried processional crosses and icons through the streets before the main service. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church welcomed the relics of St Anne to the Archbishop's Cathedral in Constanța, updating the pilgrimage schedule so local believers could venerate them over the coming weeks. The Ecumenical Patriarchate opened the new school year with consecrations of students and teachers in several dioceses, while the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that restoration work on the Church of the Resurrection is nearly finished, allowing fuller access for pilgrims again. These coordinated observances across jurisdictions show how shared feasts still draw Orthodox people together in concrete acts of worship and care for holy sites.

Got the kitchen counter covered in flour this morning. I'm making a couple trays of spanakopita for the parish feast after liturgy this weekend, the one for St Euphrosynos the Cook. My boys are supposed to help roll out the dough when they get home from school, if they don't disappear on me.

The red brick church with the green roof stands out beautifully against this cloudy sky. The yard is clean, the trees stand still, very pleasing to the eye.

This morning I went out to the church yard to water the flowers. The sun was already warming and we had let the grass grow a little, so I removed some dry grass around the base of the roses. I have to go back in the afternoon with the shears because some branches are starting to get out of the way.

On Saturday I went to a small monastery not far from us. There were only about ten people at the service; they sang so quietly and clearly that even I couldn’t sing out of tune. After lunch I walked around the garden, picked some mint for tea and sat on a bench by the pond.