The church looks peaceful this morning with the green trees around it and that nice fence in front. Took the photo myself on a quiet walk.

Bulgarian Patriarch Neophytos led the patriarchal Divine Liturgy yesterday for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sofia’s Lozenets district. The service drew large crowds for the solemn veneration of the Cross, continuing the Bulgarian Church’s observance of 1700 years since the discovery of the True Cross. In parallel, the Church of Greece marked the feast at Dobra Monastery with the ordination of a new deacon, while the small Cycladic island of Sikinos held special services in its modest parish church. The Romanian Orthodox Church highlighted the day with prayers tied to the 98th anniversary of the great Cross on Caraiman Peak, where thousands still gather each year. Meanwhile, the Antiochian Patriarchate served Vespers and the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Reit, Syria, under difficult local conditions. These coordinated yet distinct observances show the feast binding distant communities in shared reverence. May the power of the Cross strengthen the Bulgarian, Greek, Romanian, and Antiochian churches in the year ahead.

The memory of Saint Amfilochios of Patmos drew monks and pilgrims to the Holy Vigil on the island last night, where the cross was lifted high during the all-night service. In Greece, Bishop Ignatios of Dimitriados reminded his flock after the procession in Kiverio that every Golgotha is followed by Resurrection. The Bulgarian Church held patriarchal liturgy at the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia, then another hierarchical vespers in the Lozenets district. From the Antioch Patriarchate, Metropolitan Saba marked the centennial of the Niagara Falls parish with solemn cross veneration, while the Romanian Church saw Bishop Mihail bless a new church cross for the parish in New Zealand. These feasts keep the memory of the Cross alive in ordinary parishes from the Balkans to North America. The shared rhythm of vigil, procession, and blessing shows how one wooden sign still gathers the scattered Orthodox family.

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church announced plans for two new churches to be built in Slovenia, one in Ljubljana and another in Maribor, to serve the growing faithful there. In Romania, Metropolitan Irineu consecrated a newly built church in Geblești, Dolj county, while the Metropolis of Bessarabia marked 34 years since its restoration after Soviet rule. The Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Parish in Hollywood, Florida, and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia gathered for a planning meeting to expand its London Cathedral choirs. These steps reflect steady efforts to strengthen local Orthodox presence across different countries. This matters because each new temple or restored structure gives families a stable place to pray and pass on the faith.

A planning meeting for the expansion of the London Cathedral choirs took place on Sunday in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The gathering focused on practical ways to grow participation among younger singers and strengthen the regular liturgical schedule at the cathedral. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese moved forward with construction of a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne, aiming to serve both local families and recent arrivals. In the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, hierarchs led vespers and patriarchal liturgy for the Exaltation of the Cross in Sofia parishes, drawing steady crowds for the feast. The Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity parish in Miramar, Florida, while Archbishop Nathaniel marked the patronal feast at Holy Cross in Hollywood. These coordinated efforts show steady, local work across jurisdictions. May these communities be remembered in prayer.

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia is moving forward with plans for a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne. The project aims to serve growing parishes, offer language classes, youth programs and outreach to local communities far from the old country. At the same time the Metropolis of Bessarabia quietly marked thirty-four years since its restoration after Soviet rule, underlining the slow work of rebuilding church life in former communist lands. Across the Atlantic, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch celebrated the centennial of its parish at Niagara Falls with a liturgy led by Metropolitan Saba. In Europe the Polish Orthodox Church broadcast its liturgy from the historic church in Gorlice, letting viewers join the familiar chants from their own kitchens. Each of these steps, whether building new or remembering old foundations, keeps parishes anchored. The Melbourne centre is still on the drawing board.

The memory of Saint Amfilochios of Patmos fell this week, drawing many to the island monastery where his quiet teaching on obedience and prayer still shapes daily life. In the Church of Greece, monks at the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos marked the day with a final farewell to their elder Chrysostomos, whose long service ended peacefully. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a patriarchal liturgy for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the cathedral in Sofia, while parishes in London kept the church open late so working people could venerate the Cross after their shifts. Over in the Serbian Orthodox Church, the faithful gathered for Liturgy in Trebinje’s cathedral, and the Romanian Orthodox Church blessed a new cross on their parish building in Christchurch, New Zealand. From Patmos to these distant corners, the same vigil rhythm continues unchanged. May the intercessions of Saint Amfilochios strengthen every parish keeping the night watch.

The early morning light enters gently through the windows and mixes with the smoke from incense. In the empty church it is so quiet that one can almost hear their own thoughts.

In the tiled wall I saw this blue icon. Simple and pure, as it should be.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric marked thirty years since the consecration of the monastery church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Botun with a solemn liturgy and gathering of local faithful. In the same period the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated Venerable Jefimija at Peter’s Church in Novi Pazar, while the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held an archierarchical vespers for the Exaltation of the Cross in the Sofia district of Lozenets and laid the foundation stone for a new parish church in the village of Sliven. From North America the Orthodox Church in America reported Bishop Andrei celebrating the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Parish in Miramar, Florida, and the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Metropolitan Antonie reflected on thirty-four years since the reactivation of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, calling for greater unity among the faithful. May the Lord grant strength and peace to these communities.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with a patriarchal liturgy in Sofia’s Lozenets district, drawing clergy and faithful for the traditional veneration of the Cross. At the same time the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch held Vespers for the feast inside the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Reit. In Florida the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei serve the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity parish in Miramar, while the Romanian Orthodox Church witnessed Bishop Mihail bless a new church cross at their parish in New Zealand. Elsewhere construction began with a foundation stone laid for a new church in the Bulgarian village of Panaretovtsi, and the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated the consecration of a parish house in Hum. These quiet but steady steps around the feast remind everyone how the Cross remains at the center of parish life across continents. How did your own parish observe the Exaltation of the Holy Cross this year?

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia is steadily advancing construction on its new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne. The project aims to serve both the local Romanian community and wider outreach efforts, providing space for education, events and pastoral work. Elsewhere, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople saw an abandoned Kohl’s department store in Georgia transformed into a functioning church, giving new life to an ordinary building. In Syria, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch reported a bomb explosion near a church in Hama, raising fresh safety concerns for Christians there. Meanwhile the Serbian Orthodox Church marked the solemn glory of Vasojević with traditional celebrations, and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held patriarchal liturgy for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia. These developments show how parishes keep adapting.

This old stone church stands quietly on the hill. The picture of mine likes the simplicity and quietness that can be felt.

The memory of Saint Amfilochios of Patmos drew crowds to night vigils across several dioceses this week. In the Church of Greece the Elevation of the Holy Cross was marked with solemn services at Argyrokastro, while Bulgarian Orthodox parishes in Hamburg held the Divine Liturgy entirely in Bulgarian on the same feast. The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated ninety years of the church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Ljubljana, where Patriarch Porfirije described the milestone as a great blessing for local believers. At the same time the Romanian Orthodox Church published a firm statement from its UK bishops opposing assisted suicide and calling instead for compassionate care. In the Ecumenical Patriarchate an old warehouse in Georgia was quietly converted into a functioning church, and a memorial for the Asia Minor refugees took place on Leros. These gatherings showed once again how the Cross remains at the center of ordinary parish life.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric marked thirty years since the consecration of the monastery church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Botun. Services and local gatherings recalled the day the temple was first opened for worship. At the same time the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated the ninetieth anniversary of the church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Ljubljana with a solemn liturgy attended by many families. In Romania the Metropolis of Bessarabia observed thirty-four years since its restoration after Soviet rule, with Bishop Timotei consecrating a new church and two social centers in Vidra. The Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, while the Bulgarian Church in London kept its doors open longer for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. May these parishes continue to serve their people with steady faith and quiet care.

London Cathedral choirs held a planning meeting on Sunday to map out their expansion. The gathering at the ROCOR cathedral focused on recruiting more singers, improving rehearsal schedules, and extending outreach to young people in the British capital. At the same time the Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia pushed forward with construction of a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne, aiming to serve both locals and recent immigrants. In Florida the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Parish in Miramar while Archbishop Nathaniel marked the patronal feast at Holy Cross Parish in Hollywood. Separately the Serbian Orthodox Church opened the Church New Year with services honouring St Simeon the Stylite. These steady steps across distant dioceses show choirs, buildings, and feasts quietly knitting communities together. May the parishes of ROCOR in London, the Romanian diocese in Melbourne, and the OCA and Serbian flocks in America receive every grace needed for the year ahead.

Three arched stone windows with beautifully divided panes. The light passes through them softly.

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church announced plans for two new churches to be built in Slovenia, responding to the growing faithful there who have long gathered in temporary spaces. The move aims to give local Serbs and other Orthodox residents stable places for regular worship and community life. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church laid the foundation stone for a new parish church in the village of Sliven near Panaretovtsi, continuing a steady pace of construction across rural areas. In Romania, clergy and faithful at Strejeștii de Sus watched the blessing of completed parish works that will soon allow fuller liturgical schedules. The Orthodox Church in America marked the patronal feast at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, with Archbishop Nathaniel leading the hierarchical liturgy. These quiet advances show how communities keep finding ways to put down roots where they are needed. May these Churches be remembered in prayer.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a patriarchal Divine Liturgy for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sofia’s Lozenets district. In the same spirit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch served the full cycle of vespers and the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Ra’it, while the Romanian Orthodox Church reminded the faithful through Bishop Paisie Sinait that the Cross must travel with believers from the temple into daily decisions. The Orthodox Church in America marked the feast with Archbishop Nathaniel at Holy Cross Parish in Hollywood, Florida, and Bishop Andrei at Holy Trinity in Miramar. These celebrations show how one and the same feast draws separated dioceses into a common rhythm of prayer and remembrance. The Cross remains the quiet measure by which ordinary Orthodox life is still judged and steadied.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held its patriarchal Liturgy for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the capital’s Lozenets district, drawing clergy and faithful to venerate the Life-giving Tree. In Vienna the Church of Greece marked the same feast at Holy Trinity Cathedral with a full hierarchical service that included the elevation of the Cross. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch celebrated the feast at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Ra’it, where the Divine Liturgy was followed by a procession through the village. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel serve the patronal feast at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, while Bishop Andrei led Liturgy at Holy Trinity in nearby Miramar. These gatherings show the feast still shaping parish life across widely separated dioceses.

A small wooden church with a blue dome stands among the trees by the gravel road. A peaceful place; it turned out well in the photo.

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia is moving ahead with construction of a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne. The project will serve the growing Romanian community there while offering a place for outreach, education, and parish gatherings. In related news, Bishop Mihail of the same Romanian Church blessed the foundation cross for a new church building in Christchurch, New Zealand, marking another step in parish expansion down under. Elsewhere, Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church joined the faithful in Ljubljana for the consecration of their long-awaited church, calling it a great blessing for local Serbs. The Polish Orthodox Church broadcast its Divine Liturgy from the historic church in Gorlice on national television, helping bring Orthodox worship to a wider audience. In North America the Orthodox Church in America invited parishes to submit photographs for its annual Exaltation of the Cross media feature. May these communities and their building efforts be remembered in prayer.

At work, I am constantly trying to keep the fast going when I only have half an hour for lunch and colleagues are ordering meat stew. Today, I brought bread with beans from home and felt a bit strange seeing everyone eating meat. How do you manage, those who go to the office? Do you have any tried-and-true tips so it's not so noticeable and yet one doesn't deprive oneself of food? Tonight we are going to bake a fast-breaking cake for tomorrow's Cross feast day with my daughter.

The memory of Saint Amfilochios of Patmos fell on September 14 alongside the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, drawing faithful to all-night vigils in many places. In the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Metropolitan Saba marked the centennial of the Niagara Falls parish with a solemn Hierarchical Liturgy that included traditional hymns to the Cross. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held an archierarchal vespers in the Lozenets district of Sofia and prepared a Divine Liturgy in Bulgarian for the parish in Hamburg, both centered on the life-giving wood of the Cross. The Romanian Orthodox Church released a statement from its UK bishops urging care for the vulnerable instead of assisted suicide, grounding their words in the same feast of sacrificial love. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America saw a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, where the choir offered the appointed hymns with quiet devotion. May the parishes of Antioch, Bulgaria, Romania, and America find renewed strength beneath the sign of the Cross.

The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia held a planning meeting last Sunday to expand the choirs at its London Cathedral, aiming to bring more voices into the liturgical services and train new singers from the growing parish. This comes as several other Orthodox jurisdictions marked the recent feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with traditional services. In Bulgaria the Patriarch himself led the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia’s Lozenets district, while the Bulgarian parish in Hamburg offered the same feast in their own language. The Church of Greece saw an elder ordained to the episcopate in the Metropolis of Fthiotida, and the Orthodox Church in America celebrated a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida. These quiet steps, whether adding singers in England or gathering for the Cross in different cities, show how local churches keep the rhythm of the calendar alive in ordinary ways. How has your own parish observed the Exaltation of the Cross or prepared for the new church year?

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church has announced plans for several new churches to be built across Slovenia, aiming to serve growing local communities there. In Romania the Metropolitan Irineu consecrated the church in Geblești, Dolj county, while another chapel at the Care and Assistance Center in Vidra received its blessing from Bishop Timotei Prahoveanul. The Church of Greece saw the Anavalou Monastery in Argolis mark the Exaltation of the Cross with quiet services, and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church observed 1700 years since the discovery of the Holy Cross with an archierarchal vespers in Sofia’s Lozenets district. These developments point to steady, practical steps taken by different local Churches to keep worship accessible where people live.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric marked thirty years since the consecration of the monastery church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Botun. Local faithful gathered for the anniversary services, remembering the simple stone temple built after the fall of communism and the steady growth of monastic life around it. In Romania, the Orthodox Church celebrated Saint John of Prislop at the very monastery where he once lived, with pilgrims walking the paths he knew. The Polish Orthodox Church broadcast its Divine Liturgy from the historic church in Gorlice on television, letting viewers across the country join the worship. The Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Parish in Hollywood, Florida, drawing families from the area for the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. Meanwhile, the Church of Greece raised the Holy Cross with special solemnity in the Metropolis of Ierissos, filling the square with local believers and clergy. These communities continue their quiet work of prayer and remembrance. May readers keep the monasteries and parishes of Macedonia, Romania, Poland, America, and Greece in their prayers this week.