Last night after dinner I sat down at my corner with icons. I lit a lamp in front of Kazanskaya, read evening prayers and an akathist to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Then I called my mother, she was also praying in her village, so at the end we said the Lord’s Prayer together. My soul felt so calm.

Lit a candle for my old mate Dave this morning after the liturgy. We used to grab coffee together every week before he moved up the coast, and even now I still think about the way he’d always ask how my week at the cafe went. Real friendship like that just sticks with you, doesn’t it.

The Serbian Orthodox Church hosted a banquet at Ruti Hill to honor Patriarch Porfirije, gathering clergy and faithful for an evening of shared fellowship and traditional hospitality. In Romania, Patriarch Daniel sent a message to Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of Georgia marking 1700 years since Christianity became the state religion there, underlining bonds between the two ancient Churches. The Polish Orthodox Church celebrated the Feast of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary at its parish in Radom with services attended by local believers. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America welcomed the Hawaiian Iveron Icon to St. Olympia parish in Norwood, New York, where the myrrh-streaming icon drew steady crowds for prayer. These gatherings show how each local Church keeps its own rhythm while remaining part of the wider Orthodox family. What recent event or visit has strengthened ties in your own parish lately?

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a panikhida service to honor the memory of the late Patriarch Neofit. In Athens, the Ecumenical Patriarchate joined in recognizing Ambassador Alison Duncan with a prestigious Orthodox award. The Serbian Orthodox Church hosted a banquet in honor of Patriarch Porfirio at Ruti Hill, while the Romanian Orthodox Church highlighted how St Paraskeva continues to unite Orthodox peoples across the Balkans through the words of Metropolitan Dimitrios of France. These quiet acts of remembrance, recognition, and fellowship show the steady rhythm of church life across borders. May these communities be kept in prayer this week.

Yesterday after work I went to the church to clean up before tomorrow. She wiped the candlesticks, placed fresh flowers near the icon of the martyr Longinus, and threw away the old dry branches. My hands then smelled of wax and chrysanthemums; I returned home late, but with a light soul.

Today, at the liturgy, I watched my two grandsons stand next to me and just yawn. I would like them to be drawn to prayer themselves, and not because of "necessity". How have you taught your children to pray without forcing? Please share.

The Orthodox Church in America welcomed the Hawaiian Iveron Icon to St. Olympia Orthodox Church in Norwood, New York this week. The myrrh-streaming copy of the revered icon drew steady lines of faithful for prayer and veneration during its short stay. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church received government funding to restore centuries-old frescoes inside the historic church in Vidin. In Tanzania, the Church of Greece marked the feast of Saint Paraskevi Epivatini with services at the parish in Indoti. From the Romanian Orthodox Church came the full liturgical schedule for the upcoming celebrations of Saint Demetrius the New, running from October 18 through 28. Each of these moments shows how icons, buildings, and calendars quietly knit daily church life together across continents.

Serbian Orthodox Church held a banquet at Ruti Hill to honor Patriarch Porfirije for his steady leadership and pastoral care. In Romania, parishes in Amsterdam purchased their own church building, turning the transaction into a lasting point of unity for scattered families. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church received government funds to restore frescoes inside the old church in Vidin, while the Orthodox Church in America began its fall semester at both seminaries with new students settling into dorms and classrooms. Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch celebrated the centennial and consecration of St. George Church in Fishers, Indiana. Each gathering showed small, practical steps taken to keep parishes alive and connected.