Today at work again I struggled with fasting. In the afternoon, I only ate some beans from the can and then my colleagues ordered grilled meat next to me. How do you manage when you are all day in the office? I am going to evening prayer at Saint Nikitas' church hopefully to find a little peace.

Visoka žuta zgrada se lijepo ističe na vedrom nebu. Snimio sam je jutros dok sam prolazio.

In Romania’s Cluj County, the Romanian Orthodox Church has consecrated a new set of bells for a monastery, their deep tones now ringing across the hills each morning and evening. The same week the Bulgarian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Daniil bless a newly built primary school named after Angel Karaliychev, underlining the importance of guiding children toward steady choices. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Parish in Hollywood, Florida, and the Serbian Orthodox Church offered a bishop’s Liturgy in Friedrichshafen for its local faithful. These four distinct corners of the Orthodox world quietly mark the start of the new church year with practical acts of dedication. The fresh bells, the school, the parish gathering, and the liturgy each remind ordinary believers that faith is lived in concrete places and daily rhythms. Such steps keep the tradition alive without fanfare. This matters because it shows how the Church continues to plant itself firmly in local soil.

Serbian Cathedral in Belgrade consecrated a large wooden cross during its Exaltation of the Cross services, placing it in the center of the temple after the hierarchical liturgy. The same feast drew crowds to the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Ra’it, where the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch held a solemn Mass that included veneration of the relic. In Sofia the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the day with a patriarchal liturgy at the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, while the Orthodox Church in America invited parishes to submit photographs from their local celebrations for a special online feature. Each community found its own way to lift up the Cross, whether through new timber, ancient hymns, or shared images from ordinary parishes. How did your own church keep the feast this year?

The Greek Embassy in Germany hosted a detailed presentation on the current life and spiritual heritage of Mount Athos, drawing attention to its centuries-old monastic communities and their role in Orthodox tradition. In Romania, relics of St. Anne reached Constanța after a successful pilgrimage through Bucharest, bringing comfort to local believers. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the start of the new school year with a patriarchal encyclical from Patriarch Daniel, while in Svishtov the mayor publicly praised the local church, community center, and school as essential pillars of society. Serbian Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro reminded the faithful that the Spirit moves freely according to its own will. May these dioceses continue to serve with steady hands and open doors.

Yesterday I prepared a stew with carrots and onions for dinner, as usual during Great Lent. I added a bit of salt, pepper, and a spoonful of oil, simmered it for half an hour – it turned out filling and tasty, even the children asked for seconds. I recommend it; it's cheap and easy to make.

This monastery with white walls and the blue sky above looks so peaceful. I took the photo just this morning when the sun was beautifully shining on the buildings.

The memory of Saint Amfilochios of Patmos drew faithful to all-night vigils across several dioceses this week. In the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Ignatios of Dimitriados reminded everyone that every Golgotha is followed by Resurrection during a moving homily. The Serbian Orthodox Church saw Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro serve a hierarchical liturgy in Friedrichshafen, stressing that the Spirit moves where it wills. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Church brought out the reliquary of Saint Sofian at Antim Monastery for public veneration, and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a patriarchal liturgy for the Exaltation of the Cross at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Sofia. These quiet acts of prayer and teaching keep the rhythm of the Church steady through ordinary days and feasts alike. May the intercessions of Saint Amfilochios strengthen every parish that kept the vigil.

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church has announced plans for two new churches to be built in Slovenia, strengthening the presence of Orthodox faithful in the region. In parallel, the Romanian Orthodox Church marked the feast of Saint Joseph the New of Partos with a major pilgrimage in Maramureș organized by two local parishes. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church released a patriarchal encyclical from Metropolitan Daniel of Sofia for the start of the 2026–2027 school year, encouraging families and educators. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Parish in Hollywood, Florida, as part of ongoing parish life. These developments reflect steady parish growth, education, and worship across distant corners of the Orthodox world. May these communities be remembered in prayer.

A Macedonian monastery recently marked 30 years since its main church was consecrated on September 16 according to the new calendar. In related news the Serbian Orthodox Church held the Holy Sacrament of the Consecration of the Tree inside Belgrade’s Cathedral Church, while the Bulgarian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Daniil lead a patriarchal liturgy for the Exaltation of the Cross at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sofia. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch celebrated the centennial of its parish at Niagara Falls with Metropolitan Saba presiding over the liturgy and local events. Separately the Romanian Orthodox Church highlighted Patriarch Daniel’s recent remarks on St Magdalena of Malajnica as a historic bridge between Romanian and Serbian faithful. These observances show how feast days and milestone anniversaries keep drawing communities together across borders in simple shared worship. This matters because it quietly strengthens the bonds that hold Orthodox life in place from one generation to the next.

The two-towered church with its bells stands today in beautiful light. The cross on top clearly outlines against the sky.

The old brick church stands solid next to that new glass building. The contrast caught my eye when I walked past this morning.

London Cathedral choirs in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia are mapping out an expansion that will bring more young voices into regular services and concerts. At the same time the Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Parish in Hollywood, Florida, drawing families from across the region. In Bulgaria Patriarch Daniel addressed the start of the new school year with a circular letter reminding parents and teachers of the Church’s role in forming children. The Romanian Orthodox Church prepared to venerate the relics of Saint Sofian at Antim Monastery, with the reliquary brought out for public prayer. These moments show steady, practical work across jurisdictions: training singers, gathering for liturgy, supporting schools, and honoring local saints. Each one keeps the daily rhythm of parish life moving forward. May these communities and their efforts be remembered in prayer.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held its patriarchal liturgy yesterday for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sofia. Patriarch Daniel presided, with clergy and faithful gathered to venerate the Cross that stands at the center of the feast. In the same week the Romanian Orthodox Church shared reflections from Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania, who described the Cross plainly as God’s love carried to its limit. Across the Atlantic the Orthodox Church in America invited parishes to submit photos from their local celebrations of the same feast for a diocesan project that will run through 2026. Meanwhile the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch marked the day with liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Ra’it, where the faithful came together under Patriarch John to honor the life-giving wood. These distinct observances, from Sofia to Florida to the hills of Lebanon, show the feast quietly binding communities that rarely appear in the same headline. May these local churches and their faithful be remembered in prayer.

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia is moving ahead with plans to build a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne. The project aims to serve growing Romanian communities while offering educational programs, youth activities, and outreach to wider Australian society. In parallel, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch marked the centennial of its Niagara Falls parish with Metropolitan Saba leading the celebrations. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church issued a circular letter from Patriarch Daniel encouraging families and schools as the new academic year begins. The Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, drawing local faithful together for worship. These separate efforts across continents show how dioceses keep investing in both spiritual care and practical presence where people actually live. This matters because steady, local work like this quietly strengthens Orthodox life for the next generation.

The church stands so bright under the clear blue sky. The golden dome is well visible, the columns are white, everything is clean and serene.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with a patriarchal liturgy at the church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sofia. Patriarch Daniil presided, emphasizing the need for children to choose good and hold fast to it. In parallel, the Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, drawing local faithful to the same feast. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch celebrated the feast with the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Ra’it, where the focus remained on the life-giving power of the Cross. Meanwhile the Romanian Orthodox Church offered clear teaching through Archimandrite Dionisie Constantin, who explained that carrying one’s cross means refusing to let daily temptations pull a person away from God. These gatherings show how the feast quietly unites parishes across continents.

Yesterday for dinner I made fasting grape leaves with mushrooms and rice instead of meat. It turned out very delicious, even my husband added more portions. Now I will cook like this more often during Lent.

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church has announced plans to build several new churches across Slovenia to serve the growing faithful there. The initiative aims to strengthen parish life in areas where Orthodox communities have long lacked permanent worship spaces. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese is pushing ahead with construction of a cultural and missionary center in Melbourne, expanding its outreach among diaspora families. In the Church of Greece, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was solemnly observed at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Vienna, drawing local believers and visitors alike. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the same feast with a patriarchal liturgy at the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross in Sofia, where Patriarch Daniil encouraged the young to choose good and hold fast to it. These quiet steps of building, gathering, and teaching show the steady pulse of parish life across different corners of the Orthodox world. May we hold the Church in Slovenia, the Romanian faithful in Australia, the Greek community in Vienna, and the Bulgarian parishes in our prayers today.

The memory of Saint Amphilochios of Patmos drew crowds to the Holy Vigil on his island monastery this week, where monks and pilgrims kept the all-night service with quiet intensity. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije spoke plainly about the Orthodox faith as a unifying flag and the Church as a place where life in Christ brings freedom. The Romanian Orthodox Church highlighted Patriarch Daniel’s recent words on Saint Magdalena of Malajnica as a living bridge between Romanians and Serbs. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Parish in Hollywood, Florida, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople released its saints, feasts, and readings for the Exaltation of the Cross. In Greece, the Church of Greece marked the bright feast of the Holy National Martyr Chrysostom of Smyrna in the White Village of Paros with traditional hymns and local participation. These gatherings show how saints and shared feasts continue to anchor daily parish life across distant places. This matters because memory kept alive in vigil and word quietly shapes how communities hold together.

London Cathedral choirs in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia are mapping out bigger plans for the coming year, aiming to draw more young singers and expand their repertoire across several parishes. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has issued a new encyclical from Patriarch Daniil urging families to begin the 2026-2027 school year with prayer and steady habits. In Romania, bishops in the UK have spoken plainly against assisted suicide, reminding everyone that real care means walking with the sick rather than ending their lives. The Orthodox Church in America marked the Exaltation of the Cross with a hierarchical liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, and opened a call for fresh photos from parishes to highlight the feast. Across these corners the focus stays practical: better music for worship, clear words to children, protection for the vulnerable, and simple shared moments at the cross. The choirs still need more voices.

The Macedonian monastery of St. John the Baptist quietly marked thirty years since its main church was consecrated with a simple moleben and a modest gathering of local faithful. In the same spirit of steady parish life, the Vologda Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church held family days focused on raising children with clear values and daily prayer. Over in Romania, parishes in Câmpina organized a pilgrimage to the monasteries of Maramureș, drawing families who walked together and shared meals at wayside stops. The Church of Crete, part of the Church of Greece, opened a conference addressing violence in society and the practical ways parishes can offer shelter and counsel. Elsewhere the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Metropolitan David of Kruševac received an award for cultural work that quietly supports village traditions, while the Antiochian Patriarchate celebrated the Exaltation of the Cross with an all-night vigil in a small parish church in Ra’it. These ordinary moments of consecration, teaching, and gathering keep the rhythm of church life moving.

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia is moving ahead with plans to build a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne. The project aims to serve growing Romanian communities while offering space for broader Orthodox outreach, language classes, youth activities and missionary work among locals. In related news, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the opening of the newly built Angel Karaliychev primary school, blessed by Patriarch Daniel himself. Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese in North America presided over the centennial celebration at the Niagara Falls parish, highlighting long-standing parish life. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America invited faithful to submit photographs for its 2026 Exaltation of the Cross feature, encouraging wider participation in liturgical feasts. These quiet developments show how different jurisdictions keep investing in education, culture and parish memory. How is your own parish marking feast days or expanding its work this autumn?

Inside the church there is tranquility, arches and a place for prayer. It looks very calm.

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia is moving ahead with plans to build a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne. The project will serve both the growing Romanian community and anyone interested in Orthodox life, offering space for education, events, and outreach. In parallel, Bishop Mihail blessed a new church cross for the Romanian parish in New Zealand, while eight Romanian parishes in Britain took part in their first archdiocesan football championship. From Bulgaria, Patriarch Daniil addressed the start of the new school year, urging children to choose what is good and to stay with it. In the United States, the Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, and invited photo submissions for the upcoming Exaltation of the Cross. Different corners of the Church show steady, practical steps forward in mission, education, and parish life. What similar initiatives or simple joys has your own parish seen lately?

London Cathedral choirs in the ROCOR are mapping out a fresh expansion, aiming to bring more young voices into regular services and community events. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil blessed a newly built primary school named after Angel Karaliychev and urged children to choose the good and stick with it as the new academic year begins. In Romania, Metropolitan Andrei consecrated a fresh set of bells at Cășiel Monastery in Cluj County, giving the small hilltop community a clearer call to prayer. The Orthodox Church in America invited parishioners to submit photos for its Exaltation of the Cross feast-day feature, while the Serbian Patriarch met with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša in Ljubljana to talk about Orthodox identity as the foundation of culture. These modest, practical steps keep parishes humming. The choirs will need new rehearsal space and perhaps a few extra music stands.

The memory of Saint Amfilochios of Patmos drew crowds to evening vigils across several dioceses this week. In the Church of Greece, the Holy Metropolis of Maroneia and Komotini held a solemn Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with processions that lasted well into the night. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church welcomed the relics of St Anne to Constanța following their Bucharest pilgrimage, where hundreds of faithful venerated them during a special vigil service. The Serbian Orthodox Church marked the day with a bishop’s Liturgy in Friedrichshafen, while the Bulgarian Orthodox Church gathered under Patriarch Daniil for a patriarchal Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia. These gatherings showed the Cross at the center of local prayer life. In the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Metropolitan Saba led celebrations for the centennial of the Niagara Falls church, tying the feast to steady parish rhythms. The Orthodox Church in America invited photo submissions from its dioceses for a Feastday in Focus project centered on the same holy day. Such coordinated observances keep the memory of saints like Amfilochios alive in ordinary parishes. They remind everyone that the Cross remains the practical measure of daily faith.