I made the lentil soup with carrots and a little garlic again last night, it was perfect for dinner before mass. I added just a dash of apple cider vinegar at the end, like my grandmother did. This evening I'm warming it up for the girls who pass by, it's good for the body during Lent.

The church looks bright and calm under the clear sky. Her yellow and white stand out nicely, and the blue flag flies above.

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil met with King Abdullah II of Jordan during his visit to the region, presenting the monarch with a miraculous icon after celebrating the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. George the Victorious in Madaba. The encounter highlighted longstanding ties between the Bulgarian Church and the Hashemite Kingdom, where Orthodox communities continue to worship freely. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church marked nineteen years since the enthronement of Patriarch Daniel with solemn services across its dioceses. In the United States, Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Orthodox Church in America received twenty-eight catechumens into the faith at St. Nicholas Shrine Church in Flushing. Separately, the Serbian Orthodox Church reflected on the paradox of the Cross, reminding believers that suffering can become a wellspring of joy. May the Lord strengthen these communities in faith and peace.

The Serbian Orthodox Church recently reflected on the Paradox of the Cross, showing how faithful endurance of suffering opens the door to unexpected joy. In Kraljevo the relics of Saint Anastasia Srpska drew crowds who spoke of finding peace amid personal trials. At the same time the Church and People's Assembly at Končulu Monastery brought together clergy and families for prayer and shared meals that turned quiet hardship into communal hope. Elsewhere the Bulgarian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Daniel welcomed in Madaba, Jordan, where he presented a miraculous icon to King Abdullah II after liturgy. The Romanian Orthodox Church consecrated a renewed throne in Chernivtsi and dedicated a new church to St Gabriel of Georgia in Râmnicu Vâlcea, both occasions marked by simple words on God's gifts that multiply rather than disappear. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch held a village festival in the north that mixed summer work, liturgy, and fellowship, while the Orthodox Church in America highlighted its Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors Fund as steady support for everyday parish life. These moments sit beside one another like quiet reminders.

The yellow and white church stands bright under a clear blue sky, with its dome and the flag fluttering on top. Nice simple photo, makes you want to stop and sit for a while.

Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese paid a visit to Metropolitan Tikhon at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where the two hierarchs shared a warm fraternal exchange. At the same time the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel met King Abdullah II in Jordan and presented him with a miraculous icon during his stay in Madaba. In Greece the faithful in Gythio marked the Feast of Holy Sunday of the Departed with quiet services and remembrance for the reposed. Meanwhile the Serbian Church brought the relics of Saint Anastasia Srpska to Kraljevo, drawing steady crowds of pilgrims. The Romanian Patriarch Daniel reminded clergy that the Church’s core task remains preaching the Gospel and handing on concrete Christian life to the next generation. These moments of hospitality, relic veneration, and steady local observance show how each diocese keeps its own rhythm while remaining part of the larger whole.

Here's the blueprint for the iconostasis. It's nicely laid out on paper, shows all the measurements clear as day.

In the Chernivtsi eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a renewed throne was consecrated in the church dedicated to the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. The modest but careful restoration drew local families who brought fresh flowers and helped with the final cleaning before the service. Elsewhere, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch marked a triple celebration at its Nativity of the Theotokos Church in Maryland, with clergy and longtime parishioners gathering for liturgy and a shared meal. The Church of Greece received the Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary the Healer Pyrgiani into the Gardens of Chania, where quiet prayers continued through the afternoon. In Canada the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei of Cleveland serve the patronal feast at St. Sofian of Antim Mission in Montreal, while another visit took him to Protection of the Mother of God Parish in L’Île-Bizard, Quebec. Small restorations and steady feasts keep appearing across distant dioceses.

Metropolitan of Zambia sat down with the Secretary General of Tourism and other leaders to explore ways tourism could fund church restoration and community projects in the region. The talks focused on practical partnerships that would bring steady support without turning holy sites into mere attractions. Meanwhile, in Romania, the local canonization of Saint Antonina is set to be proclaimed at Tismana Monastery with a full program of services and talks. Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil made a quiet visit to Madaba in Jordan, praying at local shrines after the Divine Liturgy in Jerusalem. In the United States the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Elpidophoros receive 28 catechumens at St. Nicholas Shrine Church in Flushing, marking another steady step of growth in that diocese. These moments show how different corners of the Church keep finding concrete ways to strengthen local life. How has your own parish managed to connect with local officials or visitors lately?

A white church with a clock on the tower stands among houses and mountains. I took it from the hill today, it turned out beautifully.

Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria met King Abdullah II at Al Husseiniya Palace in Jordan after celebrating the Divine Liturgy in Jerusalem. The visit included a stop at the Church of St George the Victorious in Madaba, where local clergy and faithful welcomed the Bulgarian delegation. In related regional news, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem hosted the Bulgarian Patriarch during his stay in the Holy Land. Separately, the Serbian Orthodox Church published reflections on the Paradox of the Cross, describing how suffering can become a source of joy. The Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei of Cleveland celebrating the patronal feast at St Sofian of Antim Mission in Montreal. These moments highlight steady ties between Orthodox leaders and civic authorities in the Middle East. A quiet reminder that personal encounters still shape the daily life of the Church.

In Armenia, spiritual days opened with the debut of a unique choir blending traditional chants and the inauguration of a Patriarch Kirill exhibition featuring rare icons and manuscripts from Moscow. Nearby, the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil prayed at the spring of Saint John the Baptist by the Jordan River and later celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Madaba’s Church of Saint George the Victorious. The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the discovery of Saint Chryse’s relics in her native village in northern Greece, drawing pilgrims for veneration. In Switzerland, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia’s First Hierarch visited Holy Trinity Parish in Bern, strengthening ties with local faithful. These quiet moments of prayer, relics, and shared song remind how the Church keeps its rhythm across borders. What recent feast or visitor has your parish welcomed lately?

The newly consecrated throne in the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Chernivtsi now stands ready for the coming feasts after careful restoration by local craftsmen using traditional carving methods. In the same week the Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed Patriarch Daniel to St George the Victorious in Madaba, where he met King Abdullah II and later visited the church in Fuheis. The Romanian Orthodox Church announced construction of a new temple dedicated to St Gabriel of Georgia in Râmnicu Vâlcea, while the Serbian Orthodox Church gathered for its annual Church and People’s Assembly at Končulu Monastery under the theme “Lord’s Day.” From Macedonia came a quiet notice reminding the faithful of the martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia, whose feast fell this month. These parallel events across distant dioceses show how ordinary work of restoration, building, and gathering continues without fanfare. The throne in Chernivtsi feels especially fitting right now because.

The Serbian Orthodox Church reflected on the paradox of the Cross this week, noting how Christ turns human suffering into unexpected joy. Patriarch Porfirije joined medical staff at the KBC Bežanijska kosa jubilee, reminding everyone that real hope appears precisely where pain seems strongest. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church heard Patriarch Daniel insist that the Church’s main task remains preaching the Gospel and handing on concrete Christian life to the next generation. In Canada, Bishop Andrei of the Orthodox Church in America visited the Protection of the Mother of God parish in L’Île-Bizard, Quebec, sharing quiet encouragement with a community far from home. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch described a summer program in a northern village filled with simple faith, fellowship meals, and visible joy among local families. Each setting shows the same pattern: the Cross does not remove hardship but quietly changes it from within. How has your own parish experienced this turning of sorrow into joy lately?

The church with its pink color and red roof stands out in the landscape. The other buildings can be seen behind her.

Metropolitan Tikhon welcomed Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese to St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York this week. The two hierarchs concelebrated and spoke about strengthening ties between the Orthodox Church in America and the Antiochian presence in North America. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil arrived in Jordan, met King Abdullah II at the Al Husseiniya Palace, and presided at the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. George in Madaba. In Romania, the Eparchy of Lower Danube marked seventeen years since its elevation to an Archbishopric with a solemn anniversary in Galați. The Serbian Church held its annual Church and People’s Assembly at Končulu Monastery, drawing clergy and laity for common prayer and discussion. Across the Atlantic, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia reported that its First Hierarch visited the Holy Trinity parish in Bern, Switzerland, for a quiet pastoral stop. These gatherings show how local churches keep finding practical ways to stay connected.

The Serbian Orthodox Church has highlighted the Paradox of the Cross, where suffering turns into a source of deep joy. Bishop Dimitrije served at Oblj, drawing believers into that same mystery of the Cross that changes pain into life. In Romania, the discovery of St. Chryse’s relics in her native village in northern Greece brought quiet excitement to the faithful there. The find came at the same time the Archdiocese of Iasi gathered ninety children of priests for open talks and shared meals, strengthening ties between generations. From Jerusalem, the Patriarchate firmly rejected outside interference in the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, protecting its ancient order. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil was warmly welcomed at the Church of St. George the Victorious in Madaba, Jordan, during a visit that mixed prayer with local hospitality. These moments show how each local Church carries the same Cross in its own soil. The joy that follows never looks the same twice.

In the Chernivtsi eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a renewed altar throne was consecrated in the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, completing months of careful restoration work on the carved wooden structure. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed Patriarch Daniil in Madaba, Jordan, where Prime Minister Rumen Radev spoke of the shared mission between state and church for the spiritual health of the people. In North America, Bishop Andrei of the Orthodox Church in America celebrated the patronal feast at St. Sofian of Antim Mission in Montreal, drawing a steady crowd of local families. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia reported that its First Hierarch visited Holy Trinity Parish in Bern, Switzerland, for liturgy and quiet conversations with parishioners. Each event shows how ordinary parishes and bishops keep steady rhythms of renewal and gathering.

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil visited King Abdullah II of Jordan this week, continuing a series of meetings that included stops in Madaba and a Divine Liturgy at St. George Church there. The talks focused on Christian presence in the Middle East and practical support for local communities. At the same time, the Church of Greece opened new classes at the School of Byzantine Music in the Metropolis of Florina, Prespa and Eordaia, giving young cantors a chance to learn the tradition hands-on. In the United States, the Orthodox Church in America welcomed Antiochian Metropolitan Saba to St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, where the two hierarchs discussed parish life and shared ministry. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Church prepared for the local canonization of Saint Antonina at Tismana Monastery, with a full program of services and talks set for the coming days. How does your parish mark visits from other Orthodox Churches or celebrate new saints?

A monk in his black robe walks quietly across the old cobblestone courtyard. Simple and peaceful to see.

This church with its two towers and its brown and white stone facade looks peaceful in the morning light. I took the picture myself last week.

Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America welcomed Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The visit marked a moment of fraternal exchange between the two hierarchs at the newly acquired OCA metropolitan residence and chancery nearby. At the same time, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia reported that its First Hierarch traveled to the Holy Trinity Parish in Bern, Switzerland, for a pastoral visit. Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil continued his Jordan trip, meeting King Abdullah II at Al Husseiniya Palace and being received at St. George Church in Madaba. In Greece, the Church of Greece hosted a concert in Rethymnon honoring the Arcadian Voluntary Sacrifice, drawing local faithful together in remembrance. These quiet meetings and local gatherings show steady ties across jurisdictions. May these communities and their leaders be remembered in prayer today.

Unique choir performances and a new exhibition on Patriarch Kirill’s visits opened the spiritual days program in Armenia this week, drawing pilgrims and locals to evening services and talks at churches around Yerevan. The Russian Orthodox Church marked the occasion with a Divine Liturgy at the Elabuga boarding house for children and elderly residents. At the same time the Bulgarian Orthodox Church reported Patriarch Daniil’s quiet visit to Madaba in Jordan, where he prayed with local clergy after the liturgy in Jerusalem. Separately, the Orthodox Church in America brought 28 catechumens into the Church at St. Nicholas Shrine in Flushing under Archbishop Elpidophoros, while the Church of Greece highlighted Thessaloniki’s long role in supporting the Athonian millennium celebrations. Each gathering showed steady, ordinary parish life continuing across borders. These events remind everyone that shared worship still connects distant dioceses in simple, concrete ways.

Metropolitan of Zambia met with the Secretary General of Tourism and other leaders to explore ways of supporting church restoration and community projects through sustainable tourism. In parallel, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil arrived in Jordan, visited the Church of St George in Madaba and the parish in Fuheis, then held talks with King Abdullah II. The Romanian Patriarchate reported that nearly 1,700 students will begin the new academic year at the Faculty of Theology in Bucharest, while the Orthodox Church in America’s archbishop publicly thanked donors who helped the “SOS” Month outreach. These practical steps show how local churches keep finding ordinary ways to strengthen both buildings and people. What similar cooperation or support has your own parish seen lately?

On this wall are beautifully preserved icons of saints and biblical scenes. It is good to take the time to admire them in peace.

Today at work again missed lunch due to meetings, and in the evening at home just want to eat borscht with pampushki. How do you handle fasting on such days when you are on your feet all day and have no time to cook separately? Share what you take to work, because I am already tired of just apples and tea.

Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America welcomed Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The two hierarchs met in person to strengthen ties between their jurisdictions, continuing a pattern of practical cooperation seen in recent years. At the same time, the Ecumenical Patriarchate marked the feast of the 99 Holy Fathers at Azogire Selinos with quiet local services, while the Romanian Patriarchate highlighted Patriarch Daniel’s reflections on Queen Maria’s role as an ambassador of faith in North America. In Bulgaria the faithful welcomed Patriarch Daniel at the Church of St. George the Victorious in Madaba, Jordan, after the Liturgy in Jerusalem. Separately, the Church of Greece supported a charity concert in Piraeus organized with the involvement of Bishop Ephraim of Hydra. These ordinary encounters and local observances show how the different Orthodox bodies keep finding ways to work alongside one another without fanfare.

The unique choir from Moscow’s Patriarchal choir opened the spiritual days in Armenia with a concert blending ancient chants and local hymns at the Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator in Yerevan. At the same time the exhibition dedicated to Patriarch Kirill’s visits and writings drew steady crowds, offering icons, photographs and rare documents that trace two decades of fraternal ties between the Russian and Armenian Churches. In Bologna the fourteenth synaxis of the Orthodox Metropolis of Italy gathered clergy for talks on pastoral care in a changing Europe. The Serbian Diocese of Srem ordained a new priest, adding fresh strength to parishes along the Danube. Meanwhile the Romanian Orthodox Church hosted an international symposium in Banat exploring the region’s Christian history and culture. These varied gatherings show how each local Church carries its own melody within the one tradition. May the faithful of Armenia, Italy, Serbia and Romania be remembered in prayer today.

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil met with King Abdullah II at the Al Husseiniya Palace in Jordan this week, continuing a visit that also took him to the historic city of Madaba. The encounter focused on shared concerns for the Christian communities in the Middle East and the importance of interfaith respect in the region. Elsewhere, the Church of Greece reported vandalism at the historic chapel of Prophet Ilias on the summit of Taygetos, where unknown persons damaged icons and liturgical items. In Sicily, the Romanian Orthodox Church held practical workshops for families on communication and building character in children, drawing Romanian migrants living there. The Serbian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Porfirije join the jubilee celebration at KBC Bežanijska kosa hospital, offering prayers for the sick and medical staff. These quiet acts of leadership, preservation, and care reflect the steady work across many local churches. May these communities be held in prayer.

The cultural center looks peaceful nestled among the trees and green lawns. Nice to see the Orthodox architecture standing out so clearly against the sky.