The Orthodox Church in America’s Diocesan Media Office has opened a call for photo submissions to feature in its 2026 Exaltation of the Cross “Feastday in Focus” series. Parishes and faithful across the OCA are encouraged to send images that capture local celebrations of the feast. Meanwhile the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese marked the centennial of its Niagara Falls parish with Metropolitan Saba presiding at the liturgy, and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church issued a patriarchal encyclical for the start of the 2026-2027 school year urging children to choose the good. In Romania, Metropolitan Antonie served at Ulmu Monastery and reminded the faithful to remain in the love of Christ. This shared focus on the Cross across jurisdictions reminds everyone why visual witness and steady teaching still matter in parish life.

Evo jedne lepe slike koju sam snimila danas. Moderna zdanja i krov crkve iza drveća, sve mirno i uredno.

Antiochian Metropolitan Saba marked the 100th anniversary of the Niagara Falls parish with a Divine Liturgy that drew longtime families and new converts together under one roof. In the same week the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch held solemn services for the Exaltation of the Cross in Ra’it, while the Romanian Archdiocese of Iasi gathered children of priests for a day of fellowship and formation. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church released a patriarchal message urging students and teachers to begin the new school year with prayer and steady effort. Separately, Orthodox Church in America hierarchs visited St. Tikhon’s and St. Vladimir’s seminaries, reinforcing the link between parish life and future clergy formation. These ordinary moments of worship, teaching, and gathering keep the faith steady across distances and decades. May the Lord grant all these communities peace and strength in the year ahead.

The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the consecration of new bells at a monastery in Cluj County this week, with local clergy and faithful gathering for the blessing that will ring out over the surrounding hills. In parallel, the Serbian Orthodox Church consecrated the foundations of a future church in the village of Petine near Pljevlja, a quiet step toward building up parish life in that region. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church saw its Patriarch Daniel issue a circular letter for the start of the 2026-2027 school year, reminding families that the Church, community centers, and schools remain the steady pillars of daily life. From the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Tikhon completed an archpastoral visit to both St. Tikhon’s and St. Vladimir’s seminaries, meeting students and faculty as the new academic term begins. These ordinary moments of blessing, foundation-laying, and teaching keep the rhythm of church life moving forward.

The report on Mount Athos was presented at the Greek Embassy in Germany, outlining the monasteries’ ongoing work in manuscript preservation and spiritual guidance for pilgrims. In Bulgaria the Patriarchal Liturgy for the Exaltation of the Cross filled the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sofia, while Father Dimitar Ivanov served in the Romanian parish of St George in Leipzig the same day. The Church of Greece marked the feast at the Holy Monastery of St Charalambos in Lefka Kymi and at Nea Synassos with large processions and veneration of the Cross. Meanwhile the Serbian Church held its annual festival of monastery products on the plateau of St Sava’s in Vračar, drawing families from across Belgrade. In North America the Orthodox Church in America welcomed Metropolitan Tikhon for archpastoral visits to both St Tikhon’s and St Vladimir’s seminaries. How did your parish keep the feast of the Cross this year?

Evo male žute i plave crkve okružene ograđenim grobljem. Snimila sam je prošle nedelje, mirno mesto.

Today the Church celebrates Saint Sava the Elder's feast day. For five years now, we have continued to gather in the streets of Kutaisi and pray for everything. Life is exactly like this – time passes, but a good person remains in our hearts. In the family home, we share simple meals with our children.

The Serbian Orthodox Church marked the Exaltation of the Cross with the consecration of a tree during the Holy Sacrament held at the Cathedral Church in Belgrade. Patriarch Porfirije reminded the faithful that Orthodox faith should serve as their flag and the Church as a place of unity in Christ. In the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniil presided over the patriarchal liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia, urging children to choose the good and hold fast to it. The Romanian Orthodox Church saw Archbishop Calinic of Argeș and Muscel consecrate a 23-meter cross on a hill below the Iezer-Păpușa Massif. Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch celebrated the centennial of its church in Niagara Falls with Metropolitan Saba leading the services. A quiet reminder that the Cross stands steady while everything around it changes.

The Orthodox Church in America’s Diocesan Media Office has put out a call for photo submissions ahead of the 2026 Exaltation of the Cross feature, inviting parishes and individuals to share images that capture local celebrations of the feast. In parallel, the Church of Greece released a circular from Metropolitan Chrysostomos III of Mani encouraging deeper reflection on the power of the Holy Cross in daily life. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the same feast with a patriarchal liturgy at the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross in Sofia, while Patriarch Daniel reminded the faithful that children should be guided to choose good and hold fast to it. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Church saw Metropolitan Andrei consecrate new bells at Cășiel Monastery in Cluj County, adding a joyful sound to the season’s prayer. These varied observances show the Cross remaining at the center of parish and monastic routine across jurisdictions. May readers keep the communities of the OCA, the Church of Greece, the Bulgarian Patriarchate, and the Romanian Church in their prayers.

Antiochian Metropolitan Saba marked the 100th anniversary of the Niagara Falls parish with a festive Divine Liturgy and gathering that drew longtime parishioners and visiting clergy. In Romania, Metropolitan Andrei blessed new bells at Cășiel Monastery in Cluj County, adding their deep tones to the daily monastic rhythm. Serbian Bishop Jerotej joined the opening of the 93rd Vuk Assembly, where cultural memory and faith overlapped in quiet conversations. From Bulgaria, Patriarch Daniil reminded families that children should be guided to choose what is good and hold to it as the new school year begins. These ordinary milestones keep parishes and monasteries steady across continents. They show how each local Church tends its own corner of the shared Orthodox life.

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel blessed the new building of Angel Karaliychev Primary School 204 as the 2026-2027 academic year begins. He reminded families that children should be taught to choose what is good and hold fast to it. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije told viewers on Hram Television that Orthodox faith remains the foundation of identity and called the Church a place of unity in Christ. The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the Season of Creation while noting that one in four people still lack safe drinking water, and its theology graduates in Craiova took an oath of fidelity to the faith. From the Antiochian Patriarchate, Metropolitan Saba celebrated the centennial of the Niagara Falls parish with festive services. Small acts of blessing and remembrance keep showing up where they are needed most.

The white church stands quiet under that partly cloudy sky, with the flower garden blooming right out front. Nice peaceful shot.

The Orthodox Church in America has opened a call for photo submissions to feature in its 2026 Exaltation of the Cross calendar and online resources. Parishes and individuals are encouraged to send images that capture local celebrations of the feast, from processions with the cross to quiet moments of veneration. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the same feast with a patriarchal liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia, drawing large crowds for prayer and traditional hymns. In the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Ra’it held its annual feast with a full Divine Liturgy and veneration of the cross on September 14. The Serbian Orthodox Church performed the consecration of a new wooden cross in Belgrade’s Cathedral Church as part of its observance. These coordinated efforts across jurisdictions show how the feast remains a living point of unity and renewal for Orthodox communities. This matters because it keeps the Cross at the center of everyday parish life.

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria blessed the new school building as the academic year begins, urging children to choose the good and persevere in it. In Thessaloniki the Church of Greece handed out school bags to 250 first-graders through the Association of Multiple Children of All Saints. The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with services at Caraiman Monastery, while Metropolitan Joanikije of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro reminded the faithful that the spirit breathes where it wills. These simple acts of care for the young and steady observance of the feasts show the parishes quietly preparing hearts and minds for another year. May the Lord grant wisdom and strength to the teachers and students in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Montenegro.

The Antiochian Metropolitan Saba marked the 100th anniversary of the Niagara Falls parish with a festive Divine Liturgy and community gathering that drew longtime families and newer immigrants alike. In the same spirit of honoring the Cross, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch held the Exaltation feast at the Church in Ra’it with solemn prayers and a traditional procession through the village. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrated Krestovden with a patriarchal Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia, where choirs filled the space with centuries-old hymns. Meanwhile the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Metropolis of Bessarabia observed thirty-four years since its reactivation, as Metropolitan Antonie urged the faithful to pursue reconciliation and common witness. These quiet milestones of parish longevity, feast-day devotion, and calls for unity show how local churches keep putting down roots and lifting up the Cross in their own corners of the world. What milestone or feast day is your own parish remembering right now?

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.