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Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Assumption in the Moscow Kremlin on the Feast day of the Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God

Sun, 28 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

On 28 August 2005, the feast day of the Assumption of our Most Holy Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Kremlin Cathedral of the Assumption.

Concelebrating with the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church were Archbishops Arseny of Istra and Alexy of Orekhovo-Zuevo.

Praying at the Divine service were many believers living in the capital city. Present were representatives of the public and Corps Diplomatique.

After the Divine Liturgy the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church congratulated all those present on the feast and delivered his primatial address, in which he said:

‘We have completed the Assumption fast, which prepared us for the spiritual celebration of the Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God. I believe that we all have worthily prepared for this beneficial feast of the Heavenly Queen. While celebrating it, we feel that we are not orphans here on earth, that the Most Pure Mother of God is with us. She hears our prayers and lamentations and helps us as a caring Mother.

Let us recall our childhood, when we ran to our own mothers bringing them our joys and sorrows, grieves and difficulties, and they always shielded us with their caring love. Many of us have lost our mothers, and those who have not, must cherish their presence in our earthly life as a gift of God, as there is no one on earth more close and dear to us than our mothers.

Let us recall the awful minutes of the expiatory deed of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Jesus said to His Mother from the Cross: ‘Woman, behold, your son!‘ pointing at the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. Then the Lord said to the disciple: ‘Behold, your mother!‘ (Jn 19:26-27). Since them the Mother of God has become our Heavenly Mother.

We open our hearts standing before Her icons imbued with prayers, we come to Her with our sorrows, joys and ordeals, and the Most Pure Mother of God, our Heavenly Mother warms our hearts with Her maternal love and help us bear the cross of our lives.

Today we clearly feel how close the Most Holy Mother of God is to the world, which ‘She did not forsake’. Let us always hope for the intercession of the Heavenly Queen, let us be worthy of Her prayers, let us ask Her to intercede for us, with our joys and sorrows, before the Throne of Her beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us offer up our prayers to the Most Holy Mother of God and ask Her to protect our Fatherland and our suffering people by Her intercession. She is always with us warming our cold hearts and gives us Christ’s love, of which we must be worthy throughout our earthly life’.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia led procession with the cross round the Cathedral of the Assumptions and celebrated a prayer service on the Cathedral Square in the Kremlin.

Addiction clinic is consecrated in Kabardino-Balkaria

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

On 27 August 2005, Dean of the Orthodox parishes of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic Archpriest Valentin Bobylev and clerics of the Nalchik Cathedral of St. Simeon the Stylite conducted a prayer service and a consecration of the 3^rd Department of the Republican Addiction Clinic.

Among those who participated in the service were doctors, paramedical personnel and patients of the Clinic. Father Valentin congratulated them on the consecration of the hospital and expressed hope that the all-powerful mercy of God will be a response to their personal efforts to do good and to be worthy disciples and followers of Christ

Addressing the patients of the Addict Clinic Archpriest Valentin wished them full recovery from a dreadful disease powered by sin and passivity before evil forces working in our life and emphasized that faith in God should certainly be a protection from this terrible disease and strengthen them in opposing it.

Father Dean talked to the medical personal of the Clinic and answered the questions of the doctors.

Relics of Ss Cyprian and Justina return to Cyprus from Moscow

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

On 27 August 2005, the relics of Ss Cyprian and Justina left the Moscow stavropegic convent of the Conception of St.Anna for Cyprus after a short prayer service, taking part in which was His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia.

His Holiness was greeted at the holy gates by mother superior hegumeness Yuliania. Accompanied by the clergy and sisters of the convent His Holiness proceeded to the main church of the convent, where the shrine with the holy relics stayed.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy venerated the relics of Ss Cyprian and Justina and greeted a delegation of the Morphou metropolia of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus headed by Metropolitan Neophyte of Morphou. His Holiness the Patriarch greeted representatives of the fraternal Orthodox Church of Cyprus on behalf of all the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church for an opportunity to pray at the shrine with the relics of the holy martyrs Cyprian and Justina. ‘After difficult decades in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church we are happy to become involved in veneration of the shrines that are holy for all Christians, to receive the blessing, prayers and help of Universal Orthodoxy in our spiritual revival’.

Metropolitan Neophyte of Morphou in his word in response addressed the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; ‘It is with an awe that I stand in front of you, Your Holiness, who are reviving the Russian Orthodox Church. Your invitation and your prayers persuaded us in the necessity to bring the relics of the holy martyrs to Russia. It is for the first time in 700 years that they left our Church. We wish the holy martyr Cyprian who has a special gift of exorcising to bless the Russian people, exorcise demons from our lives and to give us the Holy Spirit who unites us at every Divine Liturgy. Thank you for your invitation.

On the days during which the holy relics stayed in Russia were disciples of the piety of the people of God for whom you take spiritual care. You are renewing their faith and strength so that they can bear the spirit of the revival after the theomachist period. The disorders and trial that the Russian Orthodox Church has experienced and survived have enriched us with many martyrs and confessors who give us, Orthodox Greeks and Cypriots, an example of endurance in the Lord, asceticism and martyrs’ deeds. Such people as your predecessor His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon, Metropolitan Veniamin of Petrograd and all new Russian martyrs and confessors inspire us and our flock as we experience difficulties in the life of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus’.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy had a talk with Metropolitan Neophyte, taking part in which was Bishop Mark of Yegorievsk. His Holiness noted that since Turkey captured a part of Cyprus the Russian Orthodox has symphasized with the fraternal Orthodox Church of Cyprus and its believers and shared their sorrows. The Morphou metropolia, a half of which was captured, greatly suffered from political disorders on Cyprus. He underscored that many Russian Orthodox people who come to Cyprus as pilgrims and who live there need pastoral care and expressed his hope for the opening of the representation of the Russian Orthodox Church on Cyprus.

Metropolitan Neophyte said that a part of his metropolia is located on the captured territories and emphasized that as metropolitan of the diocese with many destroyed churches, he understands better than anyone else the experience of the Russian Orthodox Church, which had undergone the period of repressions.

Metropolitan Neophyte presented His Holiness the Patriarch with an icon of Ss Cyprian and Justina on a round board and a book on the history of the Church of Cyprus.

His Holiness the Patriarch presented Metropolitan Neophyte with a panagia made to commemorate the 15^th jubilee of the patriarchal ministry.

A short prayer service was celebrated in front of the holy relics, after which the shrine was taken round the church in a solemn procession. His Holiness blessed the worshippers with the shrine and handed it over to the head of the delegation of the Church of Cyprus. The shrine was taken out through the holy gates, and the delegation left for the airport.

Bishop Mark of Yegorievsk was among those seeing the delegation off at the airport.

Chapel of the Holy Martyr Thaddeus to be built in the High Security Colony in Kabardino-Balkaria

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

Archpriest Valentin Bobylev, Dean of the Orthodox parishes of the Kabardino-Balkarian Rupublic, met with the chief of the High Security Colony located in the Kamenka village O.Bekaldiev.

The deanery clerics have visited the institution for a long time and conducted the Sacraments of Baptism, Confession and Communion there, but the peculiarities of the High Security colony often keep them from fruitful pastoral care for the Orthodox convicts.

Cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Penitentiary System was discussed at the meeting with the Colony staff-members. It was decided that an Orthodox chapel would be built in the High Security Colony and in other republican institutions of the same kind; visits of clerics and divine services would become regular.

Archpriest Valentin Bobylev also met with the convicts and gave them spiritual literature and food.

Later on Rector of the Church of St. George in Tyrnyauza Hieromonk Igor (Vasiliev) and Rev. Oleg Vasin, Cleric of the Cathedral of St. Simeon the Stylite in Nalchik conducted the Sacrament of Baptism for ten convicts. Also conducted were the Sacraments of Confession and Communion.

The visit of clerics attracted attention of many convicts including non-Orthodox ones. The priests answered their questions during the conversation held in the assembly hall.

Press Service

of the Diocese of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz

A monument to St.Andrew the-First-Called to be erected on Iturup Island

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

A bronze monument to the all-laudable St.Andrew the-First-Called will be brought to Sakhalin and erected on the Kuril Island of Iturup to mark the 60^th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The project has been initiated by the National Centre of Russia’s Glory and the Foundation of St. Andrew the-First-Called.

The monument represents a cross on which the first of the Lord’s disciples was crucified as a martyr for Christ.

The erection and blessing of the monument on Iturup Island will take place on 2 September 2005.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia congratulates His Beatitude Theophilus III on his election to the Jerusalem Patriarchal Throne

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent his congratulation to His Beatitude Theophilus III, on his election Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine.

The text of greetings is given below.

To: His Beatitude Theophilus.

Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine

Your Beatitude,

Beloved brother and concelebrant in the Lord,

On behalf of the plenitude of the Russian Orthodox Church I cordially congratulate Your Beatitude with your election as Primate of the Mother of all Churches – the Holy Orthodox Church of Jerusalem.

We see in your election to the Patriarchal See of the Holy City by unanimous vote a sign of God’s mercy toward the Church of Zion and hope that it will end the period of distressful uncertainty and disorder which caused deep concern throughout the Orthodox world.

I wish Your Beatitude spiritual and physical strength to steer well the church ship so that your saved-by-God flock may be pacified and united.

With fraternal love in the Lord,

+ALEXY,

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

European Christians parted with Fr. Roger

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

Fr.Roger Schutz, a founder of the Taize community was buried on 23 August 2005.

Attending the mourning ceremony were over ten thousand people. Official representatives of several Christian Churches, ecumenical organizations and European states attended the requiem service led by Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian unity.

Among outstanding political figures who came to the parting with Fr.Roger, were FRG President Horst Keller as head of the delegation, French state minister Nicolas Sarkozy, deputies of French Parliament and Senate. Also attending the funeral were Papal Nuncio in France, heads of the Episcopal Conferences of France, Spain and Bolivia, representatives of the Protestant Churches, the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches and the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Attending the parting ceremony and the funeral on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church was archpriest Mikhail Gundyaev, secretary of the Russian Orthodox Church liaison office at the WCC.

Cardinal Kasper said at the graveside that ‘By his presence in our life, his sermons and personal example Fr.Roger radiated love and hope, which broke down all barriers and overcome divisions of this world’.

Those attending the requiem service were asked to offer up their prayers for the Romanian woman, who cut short the long life of Fr.Roger, as she did not know what she did being darkened by disease.

Fr.Roger was buried at the Taize community cemetery.

Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate congratulates new Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem on his election

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

On 23 August 2005 His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate congratulated His Beatitude Theophilus III on his election to the Jerusalem Patriarchal throne.

The text of greetings is given below.

To: His Beatitude Theophilus III

Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine

Your Beatitude,

Having received joyous news of your election to the Apostolic See of St. Jacob, brother of the Lord, by the will of the Holy Spirit and unanimous decision of the plenitude of the Holy Church of Jerusalem, I ask Your Beatitude to accept my most cordial and sincere congratulations.

We hope that under your wise leadership the Church of Zion will overcome the trials that befell her recently.

We are happy, as You, Your Beatitude, know the life of the Russian Orthodox Church through your previous experience of ministry. Our believers reverentially love the great holy place of the Holy Sepulchre and the Holy Land. We are confident that friendly sisterly relations between the two Church will be further strengthened during the time of Your Beatitude’s great sacrificial ministry.

With respectful love in the Lord,

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow
Patriarchate

His Holiness the Patriarch greets the participants in the exhibition dedicated to the Kulikovo Battle jubilee

Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

On August 22, an exhibition dedicated to the 625^th anniversary of the Kulikovo Battle opened in the ‘New Manezh’ state exhibition hall.

The extensive and diverse exhibition, which recreates the great historic event of 1380, was sponsored by St.Daniel’s Monastery in Moscow and the Government of Moscow.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent the following welcoming message to the organizers, supervisors and visitors of the exhibition.

To the participants in the exhibition dedicated to the 625^th anniversary of the Kulikovo Battle

Dear brothers and sisters!

In 2005 the Russian Orthodox Church together with all Russian society commemorates the 625^th anniversary of a major event in the history of our Fatherland – the Kulikovo Battle.

This historic event commenced the liberation of Russia from foreign dominion and the gathering of all Russian principalities, which united around Moscow and defended the native land, Christian sacred places and objects and Orthodox faith of the fathers from foreign enemies.

By the Providence of God the Russian troops were led by an outstanding commander and ardent Christian, the holy and right-believing Prince Dimitry Donskoy. The Russian people, who scorned death for the sake of the Fatherland in the hard times of trial courageously fought the Mamai troops.

The Battle of Kulikovo is historically linked with St.Sergius of Radonezh, hegumen of the Trinity Monastery and wonderworker, who blessed the Russian troops for the battle and strengthened warriors by his prayers.

The names of these holy men glorified by the Church remind us in this jubilee year of our responsibility as the children of Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. This responsibility prompts us to be thoughtful in our care for cultural and historical property of our Fatherland, to be good successors of our great ancestors as it was by their energy and faith that the Russian state and great Russian culture have been created.

While blessing the opening of the exhibition dedicated to the Battle of Kulikovo, I greet you with the feast, cordially thank the government of Moscow, management and personnel of the ‘New Manezh’, state museums and archives who gave material for the exhibition and wish them God’s grace and help in all good works and initiatives.

+ALEXY,

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

See also:

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia

New Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem Elected

Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:52:20 +0000

On 22 August 2005, election of the new Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem took place in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem. Archbishop Theophilus of Mount Tabor was unanimously elected the 97th Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Jerusalem resolved to elect a new primate after His Beatitude Patriarch Irenaios was ousted from his office on 5 May 2005. The decision of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem was recognized by the Council of the Heads and representatives of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches held in Constantinople on 24 May 2005.

The election of a new patriarch was held in three rounds in accordance with the Statute of the Church of Jerusalem. The first round was held on 20 July 2005, when a special nomination board approved the list of 13 candidates. On August 22, the General election council consisting of 14 members of the Holy Synod, 21 archimandrites of Jerusalem monasteries and 12 diocesan priests, 3 persons were chosen out of 13 candidates. After the council announced their names, members of the Holy Synod withdrew to the sanctuary of the Church of the Resurrection and unanimously elected Archbishop Theophilus the Primate of the Mother of all Churches, the 140th successor of the holy apostle Jacob, brother of the Lord.

The newly elected Patriarch is the third Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem named Theophilus. His predecessors Theophilus I and Theophilus II held the Jerusalem See in 1012-1020 and in 1417-1424 respectively.

Short biography of Patriarch Theophilus of Jerusalem

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus (secular name Ilija Jannopoulos) was born in the village of Gargaliani, Messinia region, Greece, in 1952.

In July 1964 entered the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre.

That same year entered the Patriarchal school in Jerusalem. Finished it in June 1970.

On 28 June 1970 tonsured monk with the name of Theophilus by His Beatitude Patriarch Benedict of Jerusalem.

On 1 July 1970 ordained deacon by Archbishop Basilios of Jordan.

In 1975 ordained priest by Archbishop Diodoros of Ierapolis.

That same year sent to study at the theological department of Athens University by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

After return to Jerusalem worked in the General Secretariat of the Holy Synod, the Patriarchal school, and St.Charalampy’s Monastery.

In 1978 elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

In 1981 appointed member of the editorial board of the ‘Nea Zion’ journal.

In December 1981 sent to England to study at the post-graduate course at the Durham University.

After graduation in 1986 appointed secretary for foreign relations of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

In 1988 appointed representative of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches.

In 1991-96 – hegumen of the Monastery of St.George the Victorious in Cana in Galilee.

In 2001-2003 – representative of the Patriarch of Jerusalem with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and rector of the Jerusalem representation church in Moscow.

In 2003 appointed Patriarchal epitrop in Doha, Qatar.

In 2004 appointed senior custodian of the Holy Sepulchre and elected member of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

On 14 February 2005 consecrated and nominated Archbishop of Mount Tabor.

On 22 August elected Patriarch of Jerusalem.