Patriarch Kyril: American, European de-Christianization is ‘apocalyptic’

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church received a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on May 24 and lamented the secularization of Europe and the United States.

“We are deeply worried to see what is going on in the Christian world,” said Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who referred to the “ongoing de-Christianization of the European and American civilization” as “an apocalyptic scene: sin is affirmed by law.”

“As you know, we underwent a period of state atheism,” he said in reference to over seven decades of Soviet Communist rule. “However, the moral paradigm remained Christian in its major aspects. This is what saved us: our literature and fine arts were permeated with Christian ideas, hence the morality of our people remained Christian.”

Patriarch Kirill added that today the Russian Orthodox Church “has universities of her own, as well as over 40 seminaries, a thousand monasteries, Orthodox TV channels, journals, newspapers.”

From here.

Quote of the day...

"The general political direction of the [Western political] elite bears, without doubt, an anti-Christian and anti-religious character. We have been through an epoch of atheism, and we know what it is to live without God. We want to shout to the whole world, ‘Stop!'"

-Patriarch Kyril of Moscow and all Russia

Memo to Pope Francis and Patriarch Kyril

Communism is not compatible with Christianity. It is arguably the most patently evil ideology yet devised and widely subscribed to by human beings. How these two men could not grasp that is a mystery to me. I am especially embarrassed by Patriarch Kyril's action which I find indefensible. But the Pope should know better too.

Feast of St. Peter Wonderworker of All Russia

Patriarchal liturgy in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Moscow on September 6th (NC).

Services for the Feast of the Dormition in Moscow

Vespers

Divine Liturgy

The Consecration of the Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Kronstadt.

Times have definitely changed in Russia.

Full Patriarchal Paschal (Easter) Liturgy

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Russian Orthodox Church faces sharp criticism for doctored photo

MOSCOW, April 5 (Reuters) - The Russian Orthodox Church apologised on Thursday for doctoring a photograph of Patriarch Kirill to remove what bloggers said was a luxury wristwatch following accusations that he lives a lavish lifestyle.

It responded after eagle-eyed bloggers said an archive photo of the Patriarch on its website showed the reflection of a Breguet watch worth about $30,000 in the polished surface of a table where his arms rested during talks.

Read the rest here.

Sounds like old habits die hard.  Stalin use to do this sort of thing all the time.  Whenever he got rid of another crony they would be quietly airbrushed from official photos.  My real question though is why would the Patriarch of the Russian Church be wearing a watch worth $30,000.00?  That should be a source of serious embarrassment.

Scenes from the liturgy on the 5th Saturday of Great Lent

From the church of Our Lady of Tikhvin in Moscow.

Patriarch Kirill to visit Catholic Poland

Moscow, March 30, Interfax - The Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill is due to visit Poland soon, the head of Synodal Department for Church and Society Relations Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said.

"In a sequence of visits that any newly elected church leader makes to other local Orthodox churches, Patriarch Kirill is due to pay a visit to the Polish Orthodox Church in the very near future," the priest told a press conference at the Interfax on Friday.

The visit is expected to include contacts with the Roman Catholic Church, he said.

"Naturally, if the visit is to Poland, it would be strange to refuse from contacts with the country's leading Church, especially, in light of the recent dialogue aimed at working out mutually acceptable positions on the issues that the Poles and Russians have for one another. One way or the other, the visit to country with a strong Catholic tradition will involve a contact with this Church," Father Vsevolod added.

Source.

Patriarch Kirill's visit to Moldova to be cut short at doctors' recommendation

Chisinau/Moscow - Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill will cut his visit to Moldova by two days at his doctors' recommendation, Secretary of the Moldovan Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church Archpriest Vadim Cheibas told Interfax.

The Patriarchy has confirmed this information.

The duration of the patriarch's visit to Moldova will be shortened "at the strong recommendation of the doctors who insist on relaxing the working schedule of the Holy Patriarch," a source from the Patriarchy told Interfax on Wednesday.

"Nevertheless, the patriarch is firmly intent on visiting all of the dioceses in Moldova within a fairly short period of time and on talking to the Moldovan clergy and flock in all parts of the country," he said.

Source