News

Moscow, 28 January 2008 - In his letter to Metropolitan Seraphim of Karystia and Skyros, Locum Tenens of the Archbishopric of Athens, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia expressed his condolences over the demise of His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece. The text is given below.

Your Eminence, Dear Fellow-Archpastors:

On behalf of the whole Russian Orthodox Church I would like to express profound condolences over the death of His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos.

Truly great is the loss that has befallen the Holy Greek Church, the pious people of Greece and the whole Orthodox world. His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos, a fervent preacher, patriot and zealous worker in the field of Christ, was a close friend of the Russian Orthodox Church. He will stay as such in our memory and in our hearts. We were drawn especially close together by His Beatitude's memorable visits to the Russian Orthodox Church.

May the Lord commit the soul of the deceased Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos, to the mansions of the righteous. Eternal and blessed memory be to him.

With love in the Lord, 

+ Alexy
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Source: www.mospat.ru 

Catholic World News

Forum 18 News

04 December 2022

Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)