Read Archbishop Elpidophoros’s message for the New Ecclesiastical Year
This morning, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America marked the Feast of the Indiction, the New Ecclesiastical Year, and the Day of Prayers for the Protection of the Natural Environment with the following social media
Read His All-Holiness’s message for the Ecclesiastical New Year, Day of Prayers for the Natural Environment
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issued the following message on the occasion of the Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year and the Day of Prayers for Natural Environment, September 1, 2026. See the original message here.
The hospital in the storm: Fr. Samuel Davis responds to Juneteenth criticism
A recently published critique entitled “The Juneteenth Joke” by Aaron Hickman attempts to reduce the historic and spiritual labors of the Apostolic Mission to the African Diaspora in the Americas, West Indies, and Caribbean to
Common ground between Catholic and Orthodox approaches to AI
The new encyclical by Pope Leo XIV considers recent technological advances within the framework of Catholic Social Teaching, and the application of five areas of concern including: the dignity of the human person, the universal
Public Orthodoxy: What U.S. readers should know about the UOJ’s Ukrainian past
In the spring of 2025, a new English‑language media project began to operate actively in the United States under the name “Union of Orthodox Journalists” (in Ukrainian, Spilka Pravoslavnykh Zhurnalistiv, often abbreviated as SPZh; hereafter
The Clergy-Laity Congress and the life of the Church in the U.S.
In the life of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, few gatherings carry as much significance as the Clergy-Laity Congress. More than a conference or an administrative assembly, the Congress is a living expression of
‘God does not dwell in stone but in the hearts of people,’ writes Bishop Michael of Komana
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Beloved brothers and sisters, Christians and people of good will
Ecumenical Patriarchate condemns Russian strike that set the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra ablaze
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has condemned the Russian missile and drone attacks that set fire to the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it an “unacceptable and sacrilegious” assault on a shrine sacred
‘Life is not digital,’ says Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on AI
While the world’s attention has recently been focused on His Holiness Pope Leo XIV of Rome’s May 15, 2026 encyclical letter, Magnifica Humanitas, and its guidance on safeguarding the dignity of every human person amid
What can we learn from America’s first Orthodox bishop?
“I am an Arab by birth, Greek by primary education, American by residence, Russian at heart, and Slav in soul.” — St. Raphael of Brooklyn Many saintly, dedicated, and faithful servants helped plant the seeds
An Orthodox reflection on Magnifica Humanitas
With its 243 paragraphs and more than 200 references, “Magnifica Humanitas – on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence,” the first encyclical of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, will undoubtedly stand
Archbishop Elpidophoros joins fellow members of the Commission of Religious Leaders in condemning San Diego anti-Muslim violence
This morning, New York City’s Commission of Religious Leaders (CORL) issued a statement condemning the May 19 shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is a cosignatory, alongside
A Byzantine vision of an American sacred space: St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center in New York City is a perfect example of an Orthodox ecclesiastical structure, drawing upon Byzantine architectural and iconographic traditions, yet adapted
A pastoral reflection on human trafficking and the Church
Over the past two years, I have traveled extensively, speaking at parishes throughout the United States and abroad. Through the course of this work, I have come to know with certainty that human trafficking is
How Orthodox monasticism has shaped America’s spiritual landscape
While having come into full fruition in the 20th and 21st centuries, the Orthodox monastic movement in North America has nevertheless, deep roots as it continues to support and accompany the development of Eastern Orthodoxy
Across jurisdictions, voices rise for the ordination of men with disabilities
Growing up in Armenia, the Divine Liturgy felt like heaven to a young Deacon Tigran Khachikyan. But born Deaf, and with no interpreters present, he did not understand the words or their meaning. Today, he
Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh welcomes the Archdiocese to Cleveland
As the host hierarch of the Metropolis where the Congress will take place, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh welcomes clergy and faithful from across the Archdiocese to Cleveland. With words of encouragement and anticipation,
‘Every day is Earth Day,’ says Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
April 22 is Earth Day, a global observance of the need to care for the natural environment that has been a centerpiece of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s long and fruitful diakonia to the Church
Ec. Patr. Bartholomew: Pascha is the feast of freedom, joy, and peace
† B A R T H O L O M E W BY GOD’S MERCY ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE – NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO THE ENTIRE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH: GRACE, PEACE, AND MERCY
Christian communities in the Middle East: Contemporary challenges and future prospects
The recent tragic events in the Syrian city of Al–Suqaylabiyah—where the population is overwhelmingly Greek Orthodox—have reignited concern regarding the status and the future of Christian communities in the Middle East. Public discourse often portrays
Faith on the front lines: Fr. Bill Bartz on military chaplaincy
Though fewer than 1% of Americans serve in the U.S. military, an even smaller group walks beside them–Orthodox Christian military chaplains. This ministry, rooted in faith while shaped by the realities of military life, remains
An early glimpse of Paradise: A reflection from Ionian Village
At Ionian Village, each summer invites young people into an experience of faith, fellowship, and discovery. While every journey is unique, many campers choose to capture these moments through personal reflection. The following excerpt comes
Archbishop Elpidophoros lifts Syrian Christians in prayer
Today, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America issued the following statement via his social media profiles: “With deep sorrow and fatherly concern, I lift up in prayer our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria, and
Unity through teamwork: Reflections from Ionian Village
Ionian Village is a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that offers teens from across the country the opportunity to travel to Greece for a pilgrimage centered on the life of the Church