Orthodox Church

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia made the following statement on the terrorist acts at the Moscow Metro on 29 March 2010.

My heart pains over the terrorist acts at the Moscow Metro this morning. I am praying for the rest of the victims’ souls, for consolation of their near and dear, and for the soonest recovery of the wounded. I beseech the Lord to help the rescuers, medical workers, and all who are trying to alleviate the consequences. I have instructed clergymen to visit the injured persons in hospitals.

Unfortunately, this terrorist act is not the first committed in Russia in recent months. We see clearly that peril is lying in wait for all of us at any minute.

However, we should not respond to it by fear, panic, or animosity. Let our response by the unity of our people, their strong will to stop the terrorists and those who support, finance, or justify them. God’ retribution will come to them. I believe that human justice will not be a long time coming, too.

They also performed at Agia Irene (St. Irene) Church Museum. (From the Russian National Orchestra website.)

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Orthodox and Catholic churches unite with music TV-Novosti

Russian spiritual music was ringing out in Istanbul last night as part of a major international project aimed at uniting the main centers of Christian culture.

The project is the brainchild of the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

The performance of the Moscow Synod Choir was the second stop of its “Three Romes” tour.

It kicked of in Moscow on Thursday and will end with a concert in the Vatican in May, bringing together the leaders of the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

The choir is performing The St Mathew Passion, a piece based on an evangelical text, which aims to celebrate common Christian heritage.

The only way we can clean up a mess is first to admit it exists. In Tampa Bay, Florida a priest brought over from Greece was allegedly assaulted by man who claimed he was propositioned by the priest. The man went through an intense public humiliation, orchestrated in large measure by the defense attorney of the priest, while the priest claimed he was beaten up after asking for directions. The court just ruled in the man’s favor and the videos his defense attorney offers shows the priest was in an area of town where he had no business being.

Questions that need to be asked: Why was the priest brought over? What screening was performed before he was assigned to a parish? Were apologies offered to the man who was dragged through the courts and publicly humiliated by the priest’s defense attorney? How will the reputation of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Tampa Bay area (which has some outstanding priests) be restored? Who is ultimately responsible for this? Read the full story at Tampa Bay Fox News.