The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch appointed Father Silwan as archimandrite during the Feast of the Archangels at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady in Qab Elias, Lebanon. Metropolitan Saba presided over the vigil and Divine Liturgy for the founding saint of the archdiocese the same week, while parish clergy visited the Baalbek municipality to strengthen local ties. In the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniil led the festal Liturgy at the Military Academy church of St George in Sofia and later at St Menas in Kyustendil. The Romanian Orthodox Church remembered St Nektarios through services at Radu Vodă Monastery, where Bishop Timotei spoke about drawing strength from the saints’ lives. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America released its 2027 desk calendar, now available for parishes planning ahead. These appointments and commemorations show steady pastoral care across different corners of the Church. How has your own parish marked a recent ordination or saint’s feast?

The Orthodox Church in America has just released its 2027 desk calendar, offering daily saints, feast days, and practical notes tailored for parishes and homes across the United States and Canada. Meanwhile, the Serbian Orthodox Church marked St. Demetrius Day with solemn services in Nevesinje, and Bishop Andrei of the OCA led the Divine Liturgy at Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, Michigan. In Europe, the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil presided over the patronal feast at the Military Academy’s church of St. George, while the Polish Orthodox Church celebrated the Icon of the Joy of All Who Sorrow in Pabianice. From the Middle East, Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese chanted the vigil for its founding saint, and the Church of Cyprus faces a delicate moment after the former Metropolitan of Paphos stirred tension with longstanding Vatican ties. These quiet rhythms of remembrance, service, and careful stewardship continue week by week. How does your own parish mark the turning of the liturgical year?

I made red lentil soup today for fasting. I cooked it with onions, carrots and some sun-dried tomatoes, without a drop of oil. Very good toast, warm and light, we ate it with toast.

On the week of the next service, pak mi remains in the chapter “Our Father” from the liturgy. Drinking every week with ostanalite and vseki p't se seshcham kak go peehme with baschi mi vkashchi kato byakh malak. Simply, clearly and vinaga me rotating on the earth, especially when he scattered the predicament.

Parishes across the Serbian, Romanian, and Macedonian Orthodox Churches marked the feast of Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki with special services. In Nevesinje, the Serbian Church held traditional Mitrovdan observances that drew local families to the liturgy and memorial tables. The Romanian Church remembered the saint at Soroca’s historic church, now nearing its 200th year, where clergy and faithful gathered for the Divine Liturgy inside the old stone walls. Meanwhile, Metropolitan Nikola of the Macedonian Church led the Divine Services at the Monastery of St. Demetrius of Salonica in Springvale, Australia, with a large attendance of emigrants keeping the old calendar customs alive. At the same time, the Polish Orthodox Church celebrated the Icon of Our Lady “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Pabianice, and the Bulgarian Church gathered under Patriarch Daniil for the feast of St. Menas in Kyustendil. These parallel observances show how local communities adapt the same calendar to their own soil and language while staying rooted in the shared saints. The feasts remind everyone that the witness of the martyrs still shapes daily parish life today.

Saint Nektarios received special veneration today in both the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Church of Greece. Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria spoke of the saint as a model of humility, patience, and forgiveness during commemorations tied to his feast. In Greece, parishes marked the day alongside local celebrations such as the feast of the Archangels in several dioceses and the 114th anniversary events in Florina. The Ecumenical Patriarchate highlighted the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in New York with a new ceremonial street sign, while the Romanian Orthodox Church held a religious music concert at the Archbishop's Cathedral in Alba Iulia for the same Archangels feast. These observances show how one saint's life still shapes daily parish practice across distant regions.

Demetrius the Great Martyr drew crowds to parish churches across several jurisdictions this week. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, Mitrovdan was marked with traditional services in Nevesinje, where locals gathered for the patronal feast that has shaped community life for generations. Romanian parishes likewise kept the saint’s memory, with Metropolitan Laurentiu reminding the faithful how a guardian angel guides daily decisions and corrects wrong turns. Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric parishes joined in, as Metropolitan Nikola served at the monastery of Saint Prohor Pcinjski, blending the celebration with quiet monastic rhythm. Elsewhere, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a patriarchal liturgy for the feast of the Archangels at the Military Academy in Sofia, while the Ecumenical Patriarchate welcomed the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom to its London archdiocese for an exchange on shared values. The Orthodox Church in America released its 2027 desk calendar, already finding its way onto kitchen tables and office desks. These local observances keep the calendar’s rhythm alive in ordinary neighborhoods.

On Sunday I was getting my son ready for Sunday school, and he suddenly asked why the priest always swings the censer in one direction during the service. I had to explain about censing the sun, as they did in the old days. In the car then, half the way there, we discussed why incense smells like that.

I made the prosphora bread this morning, I let the dough rise near the radiator like my mother used to do. It turned out beautifully, 12 clean pieces, I'm taking them to church tomorrow before the Holy Liturgy. In the evening I sit at the table with my grandson, because he comes to eat soup.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch appointed Father Silwan as archimandrite during the Sunday Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady in Qab Elias, Lebanon. Metropolitan Saba presided over the vigil and the rite itself, marking the new role with the traditional bestowal of the cross and mantle. In the same region, the parish priest later visited the municipality of Baalbek to strengthen ties with local authorities. Meanwhile the Romanian Orthodox Church held a pastoral-missionary gathering at Giarmata Parish in the Timișoara II Deanery, focusing on practical ways to support families and youth. The Polish Orthodox Church marked the feast of the Icon of Our Lady “Joy of All Who Sorrow” with services in Pabianice, drawing families from nearby towns. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church saw Patriarch Daniil lead the festal Liturgy at the Military Academy church in Sofia as well as at St. Menas in Kyustendil. Such appointments and local feasts quietly stitch the daily fabric of parish life together.

Last night my wife and I were making cabbage and egg pies at home for Sunday's meal. My daughter helped to sculpt, although she smeared more of the dough on herself. Tomorrow after the service we will take it to the refectory, I hope there will be enough for everyone.

The Orthodox Church in America has released its 2027 desk calendar, giving American parishes and families an updated tool that aligns daily readings, fasts, and feasts with the New Calendar used in the United States. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church marked the memory of St. Nektarios of Aegina with liturgies at Clocociov Monastery and Dorobăntia Parish in Craiova, drawing crowds for confession and spiritual talks. In the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniil led the archierarchal liturgy at the metropolitan church of St. Archangels for the monastery’s patronal feast at Shiyakovski. The Polish Orthodox Church observed the feast of the Icon of Our Lady “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Pabianice with procession and veneration. These coordinated observances across jurisdictions show how local calendars still revolve around the same saints and rhythms. A simple printed calendar can quietly keep that shared life visible at kitchen tables and office desks.

In Pabianice the Polish Orthodox Church marked the feast of the Icon of Our Lady Joy of All Who Sorrow with a solemn liturgy and veneration that drew families from across the parish. The same day the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, Michigan, where the small monastic community welcomed visitors for the occasion. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church gathered for an archierarchical liturgy at the Shiyakovski Monastery of St. Archangel Michael, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch held a vigil for its founding saint with Metropolitan Saba leading prayers in the cathedral. These quiet observances show how local parishes and monasteries keep the rhythm of the Church calendar alive in different corners of the world. May the communities in Poland, America, Bulgaria, and Antioch receive grace and steady peace.

Bulgarian monasteries drew crowds of pilgrims this week for the feast of the Archangels, with Patriarch Daniil leading the hierarchical liturgy at the church of St. Mina in Kyustendil and again at the Patriarchal Liturgy in the village of Studena. In the Antiochian Patriarchate, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady in Qab Elias marked the same feast with Sunday liturgy, the appointment of a new archimandrite, and a special focus on the Archangels. The Ecumenical Patriarchate held its own Synod of the Holy Archangels, while the Macedonian Orthodox Church saw Metropolitan Nikola serve in the monastery of St. Prohor Pčinjski near Donibrook. These coordinated observances across distant dioceses show how the memory of the bodiless powers still pulls believers together in worship and quiet pilgrimage. Such shared feasts keep the rhythm of the Church steady from one country to the next.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch appointed Father Silwan as archimandrite during the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady in Qab Elias, Lebanon, on the feast of the Archangels. Metropolitan Saba represented the Church at the recent enthronement of the new Greek Orthodox Metropolitan in the region, underlining continued ties across Orthodox jurisdictions. Elsewhere, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church saw Metropolitan Antony consecrate a renovated church in The Hague after extensive repairs. In the Romanian Orthodox Church, Bishop Timotei Prahoveanul reminded the faithful that strong personal faith often brings relief amid suffering. The Orthodox Church in America announced an Advent night of recollection for young adults set for December 5. Quiet steps like these appointments and local restorations keep the daily life of the parishes steady.

At night we sent beans with onions and carrots for the day, following the service. Add a little dried ingot and some supena lizhitsa domateno mashed potatoes - it’s a lot tasty, even malkiyat izade two cups without yes mrnka. Today we’ll stop for supper, and we’ll clean up the trail from the church.

Mr. Ivanov showed me how to properly tie the knot on the choir robe sash last week after practice. He’s 87, hands a bit shaky, but he made it look so easy and said you just do it the same way you’d tie a kid’s shoelace so it doesn’t slip during the long service. I’ve been doing it wrong for years.

Last night after my shift in the canteen I baked pies with cabbage and eggs for Sunday's altar meal. The daughter helped knead the dough, and the son already tried the filling and said that there was not enough salt. Today I’ll take it to the church, just in time for the service of the apostles. I hope it's enough for everyone.

The Orthodox Church in America has released its 2027 desk calendar, offering daily readings, saints, and liturgical notes tailored for parishes and homes across the United States. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church observed the memory of the apostles Erastus, Olympas, Herodion, Sosipater, Quartus, and Tertius of the Seventy along with the venerable martyr Bessarion of Lainici, with akathists sung in many monasteries. In Poland, the Feast of the Icon of Our Lady “Joy of All Who Sorrow” drew crowds to the parish in Pabianice for prayer and veneration. The Serbian Orthodox Church marked the recent glorification of the church of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius in New Belgrade with festive services and thanksgiving. These quiet, steady rhythms of the church year continue in every corner. How is your own parish preparing for the coming feasts and the new liturgical year?

The Polish Orthodox Church marked the feast of the Icon of Our Lady Joy of All Who Sorrow with special services at the parish in Pabianice. At the same time the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated the glory of the church of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius in New Belgrade, where local faithful gathered for the patronal feast. In Bulgaria, Patriarch Daniel led the festive Liturgy for the temple feast of the Military Academy “Georgi S. Rakovski,” while the Romanian Orthodox Church held a bishop’s Liturgy at Clocociov Monastery to honor its saints and monastic tradition. These observances show steady parish life across borders, with each community keeping its calendar and local customs intact. The gatherings drew families, clergy, and longtime worshippers who simply came to pray together on ordinary weekdays turned holy. May the Mother of God grant quiet strength to the parishes in Poland, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

The feast of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius drew crowds to Serbian parishes in New Belgrade and Vruja near Pljevlja, where clergy and faithful kept the traditional slava with liturgy, kolach, and shared meals that lasted well into the afternoon. At the same time Romanian churches across the country, including the historic parish in Soroca approaching its second century, celebrated Saint Dumitru with processions and the ordination of a new Chinese priest in Cluj to serve growing migrant communities. Macedonian Orthodox monasteries and parishes marked the day with services led by Metropolitan Nikola at Saint Prohor Pcinjski in Donibrook and the blessing of a foundation stone for a new factory that will support local families. Elsewhere the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil presided at Saint Mina in Kyustendil, while the Orthodox Church of Ukraine remembered the Seventy Apostles on November 10. These ordinary yet steady observances keep the memory of the martyr alive in very different corners of the world. May the intercession of Saint Demetrius strengthen the Serbian, Romanian, Macedonian, and Bulgarian communities in the year ahead.

There are a lot of people in the church today, everyone is standing closely together at the service, shoulder to shoulder. You can clearly see people praying together.

This week's prosphora bread for the liturgy. The dough came out beautifully, it broke easily, and I made the roast in my mother's old pan. I hope that they will be able to come to church on Sundays.

Saint Nektarios is being commemorated with special services across several jurisdictions today. In the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia described the saint as a bright example for clergy and laity alike. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria published a detailed account of who Saint Nektarios was, highlighting his life as metropolitan of Pentapolis and his later years on Aegina. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople noted the feast of Agios Nektarios, bishop of Pentapolis, in its calendar and readings for November 9. Meanwhile, the Romanian Orthodox Church held a spiritual gathering at Dorobăntia Parish in Craiova, where the day of Saint Nectarius of Aegina brought evident joy to the faithful gathered there. These quiet observances show how one saint’s memory still shapes parish life in different corners of the Orthodox world. What commemorations for Saint Nektarios took place in your own parish this year?

Bulgarian monasteries drew crowds for the feast of the Archangels with hierarchical liturgies and pilgrimages. In the Shiyakovski Monastery of St. Archangel Michael, Metropolitan Gregory led the Divine Liturgy while faithful from Sofia made their way to the capital’s Cathedral of Saint Nedelya for an organized pilgrimage. The same spirit appeared in the Antiochian Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady in Qab Elias, where Metropolitan Saba presided at Sunday Mass for the Archangels and elevated a priest to archimandrite. Across the ocean, the Macedonian Orthodox Church saw Metropolitan Nikola serve in the monastery of St. Prohor Pcinjski in Donnybrook and later at St. Demetrius of Salonica in Springvale, both tied to the same feast. These quiet gatherings keep the old calendar rhythm alive in very different corners of the world. The modest numbers and steady turnout suggest people still seek the same things their grandparents did.