A new textbook exploring 17th-century Orthodoxy in Ukraine has just been released, offering fresh scholarly insight into the period’s church life, theological debates, and cultural shifts. The work appears at a moment when several local churches are also turning attention to education and historical memory. In Greece, Archbishop Elpidophoros spoke on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, urging communities to preserve collective remembrance. The Romanian Orthodox Church launched the SPER project, focused on solidarity, participation, education, and respect, while primary students under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople produced an English book inspired by the life of Saint Nikiforos. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Vienna published its full schedule of September services for the parish of St. Ivan Rilski. These quiet efforts show how teaching, commemoration, and steady parish rhythms continue to shape Orthodox formation across borders. May the Lord grant wisdom and steadfastness to the educators and faithful in Ukraine, Greece, Romania, Constantinople, and Bulgaria.

Greek primary students in a Church of Greece school have published an English-language children's book inspired by the life of St. Nikiforos the Leper. The simple project grew from classroom lessons about his patience and faith, turning into a story that introduces young readers abroad to his quiet witness. Meanwhile the Serbian Orthodox Church marked the start of the new school year with a moleben in Prijepolje asking God's blessing on teachers and pupils. In Bulgaria the faithful in Varna prepared to venerate a copy of a miraculous icon from Mount Athos that arrived for public veneration. The Orthodox Church in America held its annual pilgrimage to the Hermitage of the Holy Annunciation, drawing families for prayer in the quiet woods. These small efforts show children, parishes and pilgrims quietly passing on the same faith across different languages and lands. May the communities in Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria and North America receive every grace needed for the new school year.

A Romanian Orthodox delegation traveled to the United States to join youth camp activities planned for summer 2026, spending several days with young people from the Romanian Episcopate of the Orthodox Church in America during its 94th annual congress in Hollywood, Florida. At the same time, the Serbian Orthodox Church marked the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist with solemn services in Priboj, while the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric observed the same feast with traditional fasting and veneration of the saint’s icon. In Bulgaria, the Holy Metropolis of Sofia issued a statement regarding the suspension of Archimandrite Nikanor, and the Church prepared to exhibit a copy of a miraculous icon from Mount Athos for public veneration in Varna. These gatherings show how different local Churches keep their young people connected to the faith through shared feasts, pilgrimages, and clear pastoral guidance. This matters because it strengthens the next generation across borders.

Metropolitan Saba of the Orthodox Church in America ordained a new priest and deacon during a recent liturgy at Holy Ascension Cathedral in Illinois. The service drew families from several Midwest parishes who stayed afterward for a simple lunch of koliva, grilled meats, and conversation in the church hall. At the same time the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated the Beheading of St John the Baptist with an all-night vigil and procession in Priboj, where local believers brought honey and fresh bread for blessing. In Varna the Bulgarian Orthodox Church placed a copy of the miraculous icon from Mount Athos in the cathedral for public veneration, with steady lines of people lighting candles from early morning. The Church of Greece marked the new school year by launching parish councils and sending priests like Timotheus of Thessaly to speak directly to students about daily discipline and prayer. Each diocese found its own quiet way to strengthen the local flock this week. How has your parish observed ordinations, feast days, or the start of the school year lately?

A new textbook exploring 17th-century Orthodoxy in Ukraine has just been released, offering fresh scholarly insight into that turbulent period of church life under Cossack rule and shifting political powers. Meanwhile the Ukrainian Orthodox Church consecrated a new church at Horodyliv monastery in Transcarpathia, while the Dnipropetrovsk diocese offered pastoral condolences after recent shelling in the region. The Serbian Orthodox Church marked the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist with solemn services in Priboj, and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a lithium procession and special liturgies celebrating 1700 years since the finding of the Holy Cross. In North America the Orthodox Church in America opened volunteer applications for its 2027 Winter Teen Retreat at the Hermitage of the Annunciation. These varied local efforts show how history, feast days, and practical parish work continue side by side across jurisdictions. What similar activities or historical studies is your own parish undertaking this month?

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church Municipality St. Ivan Rilski in Vienna has released its full September service schedule, listing liturgies, vespers, and feast-day observances for the coming weeks. In related Bulgarian news, a copy of a miraculous icon from Mount Athos is now on display for veneration in Varna. The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric marked the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist with special services, as did the Serbian Orthodox Church, which highlighted the same feast across its parishes. Meanwhile, the Church of Greece continues its public witness through figures like Corfu Nektarios, who reaffirmed his commitment to open speech amid pressures for silence. These coordinated calendars and local observances keep scattered Orthodox communities anchored in the same rhythm of fasting, prayer, and saints’ days. This matters because shared dates and simple announcements quietly knit distant parishes into one visible Church.

The feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist drew crowds to the monastery in Priboj, where the Serbian Orthodox Church held its central celebration with traditional hymns and a large procession. At the same time the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric marked the same day with services focused on repentance and the saint’s bold witness. In Romania, firefighters gathered at the shrine of St. Joseph the New of Partoș for a special blessing that honored their daily service. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople also observed the feast quietly at several parishes while preparing for the sanctification of the new Kissamos diocese cathedral later this month. These local observances show how one saint’s memory still shapes ordinary parish life across borders. May the intercession of the Forerunner strengthen every community that gathered in his honor.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church Municipality of St. Ivan Rilski in Vienna has released its full September service schedule, giving local faithful a clear calendar of liturgies and feast-day observances. In parallel, the Serbian Orthodox Church held a moleban in Prijepolje for the blessing of the new school year, asking God’s guidance for teachers and students. The Romanian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Daniel receive a delegation from the European Commission while firefighters in Timișoara were blessed on the feast of their patron, St. Joseph the New of Partoș. From the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch comes the first part of a series on the place of the Cross in daily Christian life. These varied activities show steady parish rhythm across continents and languages. May these communities be kept in prayer.

A new textbook exploring 17th-century Orthodoxy in Ukraine has just been released by scholars connected to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The volume examines parish life, liturgical practices, and relations between local bishops and the faithful during a turbulent period of Cossack autonomy and shifting political borders. At the same time the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople announced the blessing of the new school year across its parishes, with special prayers offered for teachers and students. In Romania the seat of the Roman Archdiocese was solemnly consecrated, drawing crowds who had helped build the complex. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a lithium procession and services marking 1700 years since the finding of the Holy Cross. These coordinated efforts show how local churches continue to invest in education and historical memory. The textbook matters because accurate knowledge of the past helps Orthodox communities navigate today’s questions with clarity and charity.

Yesterday during the liturgy, Father's reading about Saint Alexander Nevsky, when his relics were being carried, particularly stood out to me. I was standing in a corner near the icon, and suddenly I thought how my late husband used to serve in the army, protecting and defending, just like the saint. After the service, I bought a couple of candles and lit them for my son, asking that everything would be well for him in that city. A simple service, but it kept going through my head all day long.

Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese ordained a new priest and deacon at St. George Cathedral in Chicago this week, adding two more clergy to serve growing parishes across Illinois. In the same days the Romanian Orthodox Church launched the SPER project in Bucharest, aimed at building solidarity and education programs for families, while the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a lithium procession in Sofia marking 1700 years since the finding of the Holy Cross. The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist with solemn services in Priboj, drawing large crowds of faithful. These coordinated moments of ordination, education, and remembrance show how each local Church keeps its daily work steady. A quiet sign that the rhythm of parish life continues without fanfare.

A Romanian Orthodox Church delegation is set to join youth camp activities planned for 2026, focusing on building stronger family bonds and practical faith formation. The initiative ties into their new SPER project, which promotes solidarity, participation, education, and respect among young people. At the same time, the Serbian Orthodox Church held a moleben in Prijepolje for a blessed start to the new school year, asking for guidance for students and teachers. In Bulgaria, the Sofia Metropolis issued a statement regarding restrictions placed on Archimandrite Nikanor, while the Patriarchate organized lithium processions and services marking 1700 years since the finding of the Holy Cross. The Orthodox Church in America has opened volunteer applications for its 2027 Winter Teen Retreat, continuing its tradition of gathering youth in quiet settings like the annual pilgrimage to the Hermitage of the Holy Annunciation. These varied efforts show how different local Churches keep supporting the next generation through camps, prayers, and clear teaching. How is your parish preparing its young people for the coming year?

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist drew crowds to Priboj, where the Serbian Orthodox Church held solemn services and processions around the local temple. In the same spirit the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric marked the feast with liturgies focused on repentance and the saint’s bold witness. Far to the west, the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Diocese of Northern Europe gathered young families in Copenhagen for talks on keeping close to Christ amid daily pressures. Meanwhile the Church of Greece blessed the start of the school year with agiasmos services at the Holy Monastery of Aetolia and Acarnania, asking for protection over teachers and children. Quiet signs of ordinary parish life continued elsewhere. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia organized a cleanup day at one of its parishes, while the Bulgarian Orthodox Church prepared a lithium procession for the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the Holy Cross. Local feasts still shape the week more than distant news.

Yesterday I walked past the church after work, it was almost nine o'clock and still warm. I stopped for a moment at the gate, there was a smell of linden trees and I could hear someone singing softly from inside. It felt like a nice end to the day, then I went home to my husband and daughter.

The red church with golden domes stands out against the clear blue sky. Beautiful day to look at.

The new textbook "History of Orthodoxy in Ukraine in the 17th Century" has just been released by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, offering fresh scholarly insight into that turbulent period of Cossack uprisings, church unions, and monastic life. At the same time, the Serbian Orthodox Church held its central commemoration for the Holy New Martyrs of Jasenovac, drawing pilgrims to remember the faithful who suffered under 20th-century persecution. In North America, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch saw Metropolitan Saba ordain a new priest and deacon at a parish in Illinois, while the Orthodox Church in America announced its annual pilgrimage to the Hermitage of the Annunciation and a new liturgical practicum for deacons and chanters. These quiet but steady steps across jurisdictions keep historical memory alive and prepare the next generation of clergy. May the Lord grant wisdom and strength to the faithful in Ukraine, Serbia, Antioch, and America.

Greek primary students have produced an English-language children's book inspired by the life of St. Nikiforos the Leper. The project, supported by teachers and local clergy in the Church of Greece, blends language learning with the saint's example of patience and faith. At the same time, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople blessed the start of the new school year across its parishes, while the Metropolis of Boston opened its Greek Dance Ministry with lively first classes for young people. In Romania, Metropolitan Antonie distributed gifts to more than 600 children in a Moldovan village, marking the beginning of the academic year with tangible acts of care. The Serbian Orthodox Church held a moleben in Prijepolje asking God's blessing on the fresh school term. These quiet efforts show how Orthodox communities keep linking education, language, and the lives of the saints. What has your own parish planned for the children this school year?

Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese ordained a new priest and deacon at St. George Cathedral in Chicago this week. The service drew clergy and faithful from several Midwest parishes and marked another step in strengthening local Antiochian presence in Illinois. At the same time the Bulgarian Patriarchate held lithium processions and special services for the 1700th anniversary of the finding of the Holy Cross. In Romania, the Diocese of Cluj commemorated Martyr Archdeacon Aurel Munteanu in Huedin, reminding everyone that real love always involves sacrifice. Serbian parishes in Prijepolje served a moleben asking God’s blessing on the new school year. These quiet, steady acts of ordination, remembrance, and prayer keep the daily life of the Church moving forward. May the Lord grant many years of fruitful service to the newly ordained and bless all the communities gathered in His name.

Na steni su izrezani lavovi i onaj okrugli medaljon u sredini, a iza se vidi vrh crkve. Lepo je kako su sve to ukrasili.

Yesterday evening at home I baked pies with cabbage and eggs for Sunday altar. The dough rose well, about twenty pieces came out, now they are cooling on the table. Tomorrow morning I’ll take it to the church before the service, otherwise I won’t be able to eat that much alone.

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist drew crowds to the monastery in Priboj, where the Serbian Orthodox Church held solemn services and a moleban for the new school year at the nearby church in Prijepolje. At the same time the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric marked the feast with special veneration of the Forerunner’s icon and hymns recalling his courage before Herod. In Illinois the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch ordained a new priest and deacon during a Divine Liturgy that fell on the eve of the day, linking the saint’s witness to fresh clerical service. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s municipality of St. Ivan Rilski in Vienna published its full September calendar of services, keeping the memory of the Baptist alive among the diaspora. May the Lord grant steadfast faith to every parish that kept this day with prayer.

A Romanian Orthodox Church delegation will take part in youth camp activities planned for 2026, joining young people from several sister Churches for shared prayer, teaching, and fellowship. At the same time, the Church of Greece saw its Metropolitan of Dimitriados stand with students and teachers on the first day of the new school year, offering encouragement and blessings. In the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Metropolitan Saba ordained a new priest and deacon at a parish in Illinois, strengthening local ministry. The Orthodox Church in America has opened volunteer applications for its 2027 Winter Teen Retreat at the Hermitage of the Annunciation, where pilgrims continue to gather for quiet reflection and worship. These events show steady attention across jurisdictions to the formation of the next generation. May the Lord grant wisdom and joy to the young people and their guides in Romania, Greece, Antioch, and America.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church parish of St. Ivan Rilski in Vienna has released its full September service schedule, giving local faithful clear times for weekday and weekend liturgies. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church in Bucharest continues its annual commemoration of St. Visarion, the saint credited with saving the city from epidemics, with special services planned across several churches. The Orthodox Church in America opened volunteer applications for its 2027 Winter Teen Retreat, inviting young people to help shape the program. Meanwhile, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia organized a parish clean-up day that drew volunteers to tidy grounds and prepare for the coming feasts. These coordinated efforts show steady parish life across continents. May the communities in Vienna, Bucharest, North America, and the Russian Church Abroad be granted strength and peace in the new church year.

Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese ordained a new priest and deacon at a parish in Illinois this week, adding two more clergy to serve growing communities in the Midwest. At the same time the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Vienna released its full schedule of September services for the St. Ivan Rilski parish, while the Romanian Orthodox Diocese in America opened its 94th annual congress with a priests’ conference focused on practical parish work. In Greece, the Metropolis of Aetolia and Acarnania held consecrations and prayers to mark the start of the new school year at local monasteries. These quiet ordinations and local gatherings keep the daily life of the churches moving forward.

A white church with red domes stands among old graves under a gray sky. It's quiet and peaceful there.

Just caught this lovely moment in church — a woman lighting candles while the priest stands quietly beside her. Simple and peaceful.

Yesterday evening I was getting my nephews ready for Sunday school. The eldest asked if it was true that on the Exaltation of the Exaltation a cross is always placed in the center of the church, and the younger one added: “Can we bake pancakes with apples after class, like last time?” I had to promise. We'll go to service together in the morning.