Made a fresh batch of prosphora this morning before work. The dough came together nice this time, not too sticky, and I stamped them with the seal my dad gave me years ago. We'll use them at liturgy tomorrow, and Sarah wants to help me bag the extras for the freezer after dinner tonight.

Yesterday in the church I lit a candle for my old friend Liljana from Skopje. We have known each other since we were young, we sang together in a choir, and even now that we rarely see each other, we always feel as if we should not have split up. True friendship is about that - to remember and to pray and whom life has divided.

A Serbian Orthodox Church delegation has arrived in Tbilisi to join the Georgian Orthodox Church in marking 1700 years since Christianity became the state religion of Georgia. Patriarch Porfirije sent warm greetings, underlining the shared history that keeps the two Churches close. At the same time the Bulgarian Orthodox Church sent its own delegation to the celebrations, while Romanian Patriarch Daniel addressed a special message to Catholicos-Patriarch Shio, recalling the ancient witness of Georgian faith. From Constantinople, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew noted how Orthodoxy has steadily nourished the spiritual life of the Georgian people through every century. These gatherings show how one milestone draws brothers from different corners of the Orthodox world to stand together. May the Lord grant the Serbian, Georgian, Bulgarian and Romanian communities lasting peace and deeper unity.

Bulgarian Orthodox Church faithful gathered for an archierarchical vespers with five loaves on the feast of Saint Paraskeva-Petka, also known as Petkovden, honoring the beloved national saint whose relics rest in Turnovo. In Romania, Patriarch Daniel sent a message marking 1700 years since Christianity became the state religion in Georgia, underlining enduring bonds between the two Churches. The Church of Greece sent representatives to the Holy Monastery of Agia Nina in Bodbe, Georgia, for joint commemorations that strengthened ties across borders. Meanwhile, the Serbian Orthodox Church conferred a new Doctor of Theological Sciences degree, recognizing fresh scholarly work in patristics and liturgy. These observances show how local saints and shared history continue to draw Orthodox communities together in worship and study. This matters because it quietly reinforces the common calendar and living memory that hold the scattered Churches in one faith.

New catechumens were welcomed into the life of the Church at St. Nicholas in Cohoes this weekend, joining the Orthodox Church in America’s ongoing work of bringing people to the faith. In Romania, Bishop Timotei Prahoveanul encouraged young people to look to Saint Parascheva as a model of piety and attention. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the feast of the monastery of Saint Petka-Paraskeva with solemn vespers and regional officials present at the parish in Sliven. Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch prepared for a major procession of miraculous icons of the Mother of God through the streets of Zahle next year. These quiet steps of reception, remembrance, and public witness continue across very different corners of the Orthodox world. The simple act of a new catechumen making the sign of the cross for the first time remains at the center of it all.

The Antiochian Orthodox Church is preparing a major procession through the streets of Zahle on October 13 next year, with Metropolitan Anthony of Tyre chairing the planning meeting for the miraculous icons of the Mother of God. Local clergy and faithful expect large crowds to venerate the ancient images that have long protected the Lebanese town. At the same time the Serbian Orthodox Church sent a delegation to Georgia for the country’s major jubilee, strengthening ties between the two Churches through shared services and talks. In Romania, Metropolitan Teofan reminded pilgrims at the Feast of St Paraskeva in Iași that following the saints remains the sure path for ordinary believers. The Orthodox Church in America installed two new bishops in Washington and West Virginia, giving fresh leadership to growing dioceses on the East Coast. Such steady work across distant corners keeps the calendar full.

The feast of the Intercession of the Theotokos drew Russian and Macedonian parishes into evening services and festal liturgies this week. In Moscow, Metropolitan Ambrose led the main celebration at the Protection Church in Degunino, while sisters of the St Elizabeth community received their new habits on the same day. Across the ocean, the Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Sydenham held its own vespers for the feast, followed by religious education classes that drew families back to the church hall. The Serbian Patriarch received a warm welcome from the Greek community in Canberra, and the Bulgarian Church prepared to host the Ecumenical Patriarch for an upcoming visit. In Romania, Bishop Varlaam reminded listeners that St Paraskeva’s intercession gathers Christians beyond ethnic lines. These local observances keep the Protection of the Theotokos quietly present in everyday parish life.

A Romanian abbot recently completed a 1,350-kilometer drive across Canada to celebrate the Divine Liturgy for a small parish that had gone months without a priest. The gesture drew quiet admiration from parishioners who appreciated the personal effort. In the Orthodox Church in America, St Nicholas Church in Cohoes welcomed eight new catechumens preparing for baptism. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church received government approval to restore ancient frescoes in the church at Vidin, preserving centuries of local Christian art. The Ecumenical Patriarchate also marked the feast of St Frideswide of Oxford with a special Divine Liturgy. These ordinary acts of service, restoration, and formation show how local communities keep the faith alive week after week. May these parishes and their faithful be remembered in prayer.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch has announced a major procession of miraculous icons of the Mother of God through the streets of Zahle next October. Metropolitan Anthony of Tire chaired the preparatory meeting, setting out the detailed route and safety measures for what local clergy describe as one of the largest Marian events in the Bekaa Valley in recent years. In related Marian news, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church heard Metropolitan Onuphrius underline that the Mother of God remains patroness of the whole human race during a recent feast-day address. Separately, the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric held solemn vespers for the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos at several parishes, including the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God in Sydenham. The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the memory of St Paraskeva of Epibatima, whose relics rest in Iași, with special services that drew pilgrims from across Moldavia. These coordinated observances show how veneration of the Theotokos quietly links distant dioceses.

On Saturday I went to Manglisi monastery. I really liked the old church and the quiet courtyard there, especially when Father Giorgi told us the story of the wall murals. Returning home in the evening, I made tea and read a book.

Bulgarian Orthodox faithful gathered for hierarchical vespers with the five loaves to honor Saint Petka of Bulgaria, also known as Petkovden. Churches in Pazardzhik and Peshtera held special services, drawing crowds of local believers who brought traditional breads and prayed for her intercession. In the same spirit, the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric served vespers for the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God in Sydenham, while religious education classes continued there with children learning about the feast. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch prepared a major procession of miraculous Mother of God icons through the streets of Zahle, led by Metropolitan Anthony of Tyre. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Church marked 1700 years of Christianity as state religion in Georgia with a message from Patriarch Daniel to Patriarch Shio, underlining shared heritage. May the prayers of Saint Petka strengthen these communities in faith and daily life.

On Saturday my husband and I went to a small monastery near Luga. There, at the service, Cyprian and Justina were just being remembered, and then in the refectory we were treated to simple mushroom soup and cabbage pies. The flowers in their flower beds had all faded, but it was very quiet.

The Intercession of the Theotokos drew crowds to parish churches and monasteries across several jurisdictions. In the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Ambrose led the patronal feast at the Protection Church in Degunino, while another bishop served the Divine Liturgy for the same feast at a convent in Moldova with added flower-laying and concerts. The Serbian Patriarch Porfirije presided at Novi Kalenić monastery on the feast day, offering a quiet vigil that drew local families. Meanwhile the Macedonian Orthodox Church held evening services at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Sydenham and ran religious education sessions for children right in the same temple. These gatherings stayed close to familiar local customs, from simple processions to talks for the young. How did your own parish mark the Protection of the Theotokos this year?

The Orthodox Church in America welcomed a new group of catechumens at St. Nicholas Church in Cohoes this week, marking their formal entry into the journey of preparation for baptism and chrismation. In Bulgaria the government released funding to restore centuries-old frescoes inside the church in Vidin. The Serbian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Porfirije serve the Liturgy at Novi Kalenić monastery for the Feast of the Intercession of the Theotokos. Meanwhile the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric held evening services for the Protection of the Mother of God and began a fresh round of religious education classes at its cathedral in Sydenham. These quiet steps of welcome, preservation, and teaching show how parishes and monasteries keep passing on the faith one person and one brick at a time.

A Serbian Orthodox delegation traveled to Georgia to join the major jubilee celebrations at the ancient Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, marking 1700 years since its founding. The visit highlighted warm fraternal ties between the two Churches as Georgian hierarchs welcomed the guests with traditional hospitality and shared services. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the feast at the Klisura Monastery of St. Paraskeva with solemn liturgy and the mayor of Sliven honoring the parish festival at the Friendly Friday church in Kermen. In Romania, the Orthodox community at Méhkerék held lively days of faith and heritage, featuring local traditions and talks on family life. The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric continued its regular catechesis program for young people at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God in Sydenham, focusing on basic teachings of the faith. May these local communities and their guests be remembered in prayer.

A Serbian Orthodox Church delegation has arrived in Tbilisi to join the 1700th anniversary celebrations of Christianity in Georgia. The visitors took part in the main services alongside Georgian hierarchs and brought greetings from Patriarch Porfirije. At the same time, a Bulgarian church delegation attended parallel events in different regions of the country, while Romanian Patriarch Daniel sent a written message to Catholicos-Patriarch Shio underlining the shared heritage of early Christian kingdoms. From the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Serhiy of Ternopil and Kremenets represented his flock at the official meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and other visiting church groups. These coordinated visits show how one local jubilee draws brotherly churches together across borders. This matters because it quietly strengthens the unity that has held Orthodoxy together for centuries.

Yesterday at the school pak se chudekh like yes spazvam fasting, kato na obyad in teacherskata flock of all things yadat siren and sausage. Az si carrying boiled potatoes and a little green, but it’s inconvenient for me and they refuse, someone will offer me. How do you manage at work, especially in the middle of the night and in the evening?

Yesterday, after fishing, I walked past our church at dusk. The air is warm, smells of linden, and candles are still burning in the windows. I stood by the fence for about five minutes, listened to the vespers singing, and then went home.

Last night I cleaned the church for the Assumption of Mary with two others from the choir. We wiped down the sanctuary, picked up fresh flowers from the market and set up the large candles. Afterwards everything smelled of beeswax and roses, and I was glad that my knees kept up with the cleaning.

The Feast of the Intercession of the Theotokos drew large crowds to parishes across several jurisdictions this week. In the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Ambrose led the patronal celebrations at the Protection church in the village of Degunino, while another Moscow Patriarchate priest ran a missionary outreach at a Cossack creative center. The Serbian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Porfirije serve Liturgy at Novi Kalenić monastery on the same feast. Macedonian Orthodox parishes held solemn Vespers for the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos and continued regular religious education programs at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God in Sydenham. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America welcomed the Hawaiian Iveron icon to St. Olympia parish in Norwood, New York, and received eight new catechumens at St. Nicholas Church in Cohoes. These local observances of the feast remind everyone how the Mother of God’s protection remains a daily reality in ordinary parish life. How did your own parish mark the feast this year?

A Romanian abbot recently drove 1,350 kilometers from his monastery to serve Liturgy for a small parish in Canada that lacked a regular priest. The gesture brought the community together for the feast of the Protection of the Theotokos. In Romania itself, the Orthodox community in Hungary gathered at Méhkerék for days of prayer and cultural events that strengthened local ties, while another parish in Amsterdam completed the purchase of its own church building, turning the transaction into a point of shared purpose. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America reported that St. Nicholas Church in Cohoes welcomed eight new catechumens preparing for baptism. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church observed the memory of Saint Petka with vespers and five loaves, marking the shift from autumn warmth to winter in traditional observance. The Serbian Orthodox Church announced a new Doctor of Theological Sciences among its clergy. Quiet effort still moves farther than announcements ever do.

Bulgarian Orthodox faithful gathered at the Klisura Monastery of Saint Petka to celebrate its patronal feast with an archierarchical vespers and the blessing of five loaves. The monastery, dedicated to Saint Petka of Bulgaria, marked the day with traditional hymns and prayers that have echoed there for centuries. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Trebinje parish issued a brief notice reminding believers of upcoming services tied to local saints. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Hungary began sharing photos and updates from its Méhkerék Orthodox Days, where families honored their heritage with liturgy and folk songs. The Orthodox Church in America’s New York Deanery also held an appreciation dinner for long-time donors who quietly keep parish halls open and youth programs running. Each of these observances shows how local communities keep the calendar of saints alive in their own corner of the world. How does your parish remember Saint Petka or similar national saints?

Found this beautiful old manuscript page with the handwritten script and that intricate cross. The colors and detail still look so vivid after all these years.

After the liturgy, one of our members suggested that we go together on the weekend to the Assumption Lavra in Pochaiv. I have already signed up, I just want to pray there and walk around the territory. If anyone else wants it, send me a private message, there are still places in the minibus.

St. Nicholas Church in Cohoes, part of the Orthodox Church in America, has welcomed a new group of catechumens preparing for baptism and chrismation. The parish marked the occasion with prayers and instruction, drawing families from the local Albany area who expressed quiet determination to deepen their faith life. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is preparing for a visit by the Ecumenical Patriarch, an event that has stirred anticipation across several dioceses. In Romania, the Orthodox community in Hungary gathered at Méhkerék for their annual Orthodox Days, celebrating heritage with liturgy, folk singing, and shared meals under autumn skies. The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric continues its steady religious education program at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God in Sydenham, where children and adults study the faith together each week. May the Lord strengthen these communities in their daily walk.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch is preparing a major procession of several miraculous icons of the Mother of God through the streets of Zahle on 13 October 2026. Metropolitan Anthony of Tyre chaired the planning meeting to coordinate logistics and parish participation for the event. In Romania the Church marked thirty years since the relics of Saint Andrew drew more than a million pilgrims to Iași. Separately the Romanian Orthodox community in Hungary held its annual Méhkerék Orthodox Days, celebrating local faith and heritage with liturgy and cultural programs. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church observed the feast of Saint Petka with solemn services at the Klisura monastery and in the towns of Pazardzhik and Peshtera. At the same time students from a Moscow Patriarchate parish Sunday school in Russia completed a pilgrimage to the New Jerusalem Monastery. These coordinated efforts show how veneration of the Theotokos and the saints continues to shape parish life across jurisdictions.

Last night I made Lent: baked beans with sauteed onions and a little garlic. I used dried beans that I had soaked in the morning and they came out creamy, just like my mom used to make. Today at lunch I ate it with pickles and a slice of bread, it kept her hungry until the evening.

The church under the snow looks quiet and beautiful today. The crosses stand out clearly against the white sky.

The mosaic in the church is so calm and bright. I especially like how softly the colors blend into one another.