The sun's rays breaking through the clouds above the cathedral give such a calm, pure glow. I always love how light can just change an entire place.

I read The Egyptian Crutch last night before bed. It stuck in my head as an old man said that true prayer begins only when you are no longer looking for anything for yourself. This morning, on my way to work, I thought that this is exactly what happens to me too rarely. In the evening I will try to read a little more, after I put the little one to bed.

The White Church stands on the other side, already at dusk. The light from the windows falls on the water quietly and evenly, and this makes everything around seem calmer.

The church looks peaceful against the green trees. The sun illuminates it well and everything is peaceful.

Cross against the background of the dawn sky. The light is so even that everything around seems calm and simple.

A few of us from the parish are heading out next Saturday for a quick pilgrimage to the little monastery up the coast. I’m sorting the cars and packing some sandwiches and fruit for the drive. Should be a good day, praying there with the group before we grab fish and chips on the way back.

Serbian Orthodox Church organizers have announced a Winter Youth Retreat set for 2026 that promises faith formation, new friendships, and wholesome activities for college students. The program builds on similar successful gatherings that draw young people from across the country and diaspora. At the same time the Orthodox Church in America Holy Synod released a clear statement opposing assisted suicide and euthanasia, reaffirming the Church’s consistent teaching on the sanctity of life. In Romania the Nativity Fast begins on 15 November, with fourteen days when fish is allowed, giving families a practical rhythm for the coming weeks. The Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel met first-graders in Pernik and spoke simply about personal responsibility and care for others. These quiet initiatives show steady attention to the spiritual needs of different generations. May the Lord strengthen the youth who will gather in Serbia and bless the work of the American, Romanian, and Bulgarian churches.

The Orthodox Church in America has released a clear statement rejecting assisted suicide and euthanasia, calling both incompatible with the Christian understanding of life as a gift from God that must be respected until its natural end. The synod underlined the need for better palliative care, stronger family support, and genuine compassion rather than ending life prematurely. At the same time Romanian Patriarch Daniel told a conference on pseudo-spirituality that the future of every person rests in God’s hands, not in human techniques that promise control over death. In Bulgaria Metropolitan of Sliven warned against outside hierarchs meddling in local church affairs, while the Serbian Church announced its winter youth retreat focused on faith, friendship, and simple shared activities for young people. The Greek Church marked the feast of St George Karslides in Drama with quiet local devotion. These varied voices show a common concern for protecting both human dignity and the integrity of church life.

The Romanian Orthodox Church reburied the remains of its founder, Priest Nicolae Gherman, at Rohia Monastery today with quiet solemnity. The small ceremony drew local clergy and faithful who remember him as the monk who planted the first seeds of monastic life there decades ago. In Bulgaria the newly finished Holy Trinity church in Dragor awaits consecration by Grandfather Nicholas, while Metropolitan of Sliven spoke firmly against outside meddling in Church affairs. From the Church of Greece came word that the long project of Metropolitan of Nea Ionia reached its goal after seven and a half years, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate continues practical help through free medical care offered to Greeks on Imbros and Tenedos by the Athens Medical Group. May the communities of Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Constantinople be granted steady hands and clear purpose in the days ahead.

The light falls right on the old floor stones. It gives a quiet sense of calm.

The road to the village church at sunset. The light is so calm that it seems as if the whole day is stilling with it.