The month of January brings two annual events about which we invite hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and laypeople to write thoughtful reflections for us: the March for Life (January 18 in the US) and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25 in most countries). We welcome a variety of perspectives from Orthodox contributors as well as from those of other traditions.

What does it mean for the Church to be “pro-life?” What does this require of us pastorally? What does it require of the Church politically? What has the March accomplished? What has Orthodox participation in it accomplished? What is our obligation to women who have an abortion? To children after they are born? To the hungry and the poor? To refugees at our borders and around the planet? To those sentenced to death or losing their minds in solitary confinement? How do we expand our pro-life vision to include all lives, everyone’s life, at all stages and in all circumstances of life? How do we put this expanded pro-life vision into practice individually and ecclesially? Read More

Cardinal Kurt Koch with Papal Delegation at Church of St. George. November 30, 2018.

On November 30, the Feast of St. Andrew, Pope Francis sends message to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

It has become a well established tradition: the exchange of delegations between the Holy See [of Rome] and the Patriarchate of Constantinople for the patronal feasts of SS. Peter and Paul (June 29) and St. Andrew (November 30).

This year the Roman delegation, led by Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, attended the Divine Liturgy presided by Patriarch Bartholomew in the Church of St. George in the Phanar, the patriarchal See. As customary, the Swiss Cardinal conveyed the greetings of the Bishop of Rome to Bartholomew.   

In his message the Pope paid tribute to this “joyous tradition” which underlines “the profound link which unites” the two Sees despite centuries “of mutual misunderstanding, of differences, and of silence.” Read More

NOVEMBER 2018

The Republican Party Must Value Humanity over Policy

A Love Letter to Sergei

Memory Eternal: Father Robert F. Taft, SJ

Patriarch Bartholomew, President Poroshenko Take Another Step toward Ukrainian Autocephaly

Thomas Merton: A Prophetic Voice for Today

On Judging Others

Public Orthodoxy, Orthodoxy in Dialogue, The Wheel = Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

“Thoughts & Prayers” from the Assembly of Bishops

Baaalderdash! We’re All Just Sheep Here: A Response to Fr. John Parker’s LGBTQ Fearmongering

Lest We Forget Read More

The following appeared earlier today, with a Greek title and French text, on Φως Φαναρίου (Phos Phanariou, Light of the Phanar). We publish our translation after having verified the authenticity of the document with our contact at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. According to our report earlier today, Archbishop John was informed of this decision as a fait accompli without prior consultation.

(Addendum: This communiqué appeared a day later, November 29, on the website of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.)

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Rue Daru, Paris*

Communiqué on the Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe 

The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in its session of November 27, 2018, has decided to revoke the Patriarchal Tomos of 1999 by which it had granted the pastoral care and administration of the Orthodox parishes of Russian tradition in Western Europe to its Archbishop-Exarch.

This decision responds to the pastoral and spiritual needs of our era, with the greatest respect for canon law and for the spiritual responsibility which falls to us. Indeed the historical circumstances leading to the creation of such a structure in the wake of the October 1917 Russian Revolution, just a hundred years ago, have evolved profoundly. We give thanks to God for the tireless courage which your communities have shown over time in preserving the rich spiritual tradition which had come from Russia in the aftermath of the bloody persecutions committed by the new atheist regime. We rejoice especially that the Mother Church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate took the responsibility to offer her canonical protection to these communities and so permit them to enjoy, in accordance with ecclesial order, a freedom synonymous with life in the Holy Spirit. Read More