Between​​ June 23-25, 2020, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was convened for its regular meeting of the current month at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Geneva. On the first day, the chairmen of the synodal committees were engaged in their cooperative work. Many of the Hierarchs of the Throne in Europe were present as well.

During this meeting, the Official Letters of Their Beatitiudes the Orthodox Primates that had been received thus far in response to the letter of the Ecumenical Patriarch to them of May 17th of this year, on the issue of the mode of distribution of Holy Communion that emerged after the appearance of the coronavirus pandemic, were read and discussed. It was satisfactorily determined that their opinion coincided with that of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This consists of the following: Read More

Moldovan Priests Lead March to Ward off COVID-19

Moldova Has One of the Highest Per Capita Rates of COVID-19 in Europe

Shunning masks and gloves, dozens of followers of the Moldovan Metropolitan Church are marching the length of the country.

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Some of our readers have asked for the source of this article. Metropolitan Alexander submitted it to Orthodoxy in Dialogue himself for consideration after he saw Metropolitan Petros’ article introducing St. Mark’s Academy. They are not the first bishops to work directly with Orthodoxy in Dialogue. When we reprint articles from elsewhere we always link to the original source.

Metropolitan Alexander (Gianniris) of Nigeria

I have to be honest. These two months of lockdown in the diocese, in response to the measures brought in by the Nigerian government, really tired me out—just the same as everyone else, every other Christian, every other member of the clergy. But what wearied me most, and continues to weary, trouble, and, I dare say, frighten me, is what surfaced in churchgoing people during this time. Conspiracy theories, fantasies, panic, hysteria, and phobias. Condemnation, rejection, threats, and who knows what else, of and against every peaceful and wise voice attempting to calm down and encourage those weaker than themselves. Patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, priests, theologians, university professors, ordinary reasonable people—all perfunctorily hauled in front of the firing squad by the long-known Maenads of the Church, both clergy and laymen. 

And what is most frightening of all is that everything that one has recently read on many Orthodox websites, both Greek and non-Greek, contains the same arguments, the same theology, as everything that is posted and claimed on Protestant, and especially Pentecostal, websites. International Christian Fundamentalism at work! Covid-19, by the grace of God and through the efforts of scientists, will sooner or later be overcome.

But as for the virus of fundamentalism, how will that be defeated? Read More

The Venerable and Ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa has surprised us with its courage and initiative in the past. We need only recall the appointment of deaconesses by His Beatitude, Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II. While there was debate whether it constituted a true “ordination” (cheirotonia), rather than a blessing (cheirothesia), the fact remains that the Patriarchate took an initiative in such matters.

The same can be said regarding the establishment of St. Mark’s Academy, offering theological education through distance learning. Other such Academies exist, but St. Mark’s promises a quality, contemporary, and challenging curriculum. Situated in Johannesburg, South Africa, by making use of electronic media it makes learning available to all, regardless of distance and location. In addition, due to favourable exchange rates for foreign students, tuition is affordable to many.

The faculty presently consists of a group of five highly qualified academics and an external independent moderator. Between them, there are five with doctorates and one with a master’s degree. More academics will be sourced as the need arises. The staff also consists of persons responsible for administration and financial issues. Read More