July 29, 2016, Friday -- Again, Russia... Earthen Vessels.... "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves." —2 Corinthians 4:7 "As light was the beginning of the first creation; so, in the new creation, the light of the Spirit is his [...]
May 2016 - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, foreground, addresses the 2nd Moscow Cadet Parade dedicated to the 71st anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War and the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Moscow (Iliya Pitalev / Sputnik) Russian Orthodox Patriarch Declares Worldwide “Holy War” on Terrorism The head [...]
May 5, 2016, Thursday -- A Russian Concert in Palmyra, Syria, Contains a Message to the West The Diplomacy of Music As I write this, a renowned Russian conductor is conducting an orchestral concert called "Prayer for Palmyra: Music Revives Ancient Ruins" in the ruins of the ancient desert city of Palmyra in war-torn Syria. As [...]
April 7, 2016, Thursday -- The Problem, and the Opportunity, of the Stepinac Case Croatian Prime Minister Meets Pope Francis Croatia's new Prime Minister, Tihomir Oreskovic (photo) is in Rome today to meet with Pope Francis. The meeting took place this morning. (link) Reports prior to the meeting said that among the subjects of his talks [...]
April 6, 2016, Wednesday -- A Religious "Off-Ramp" for Ukraine? US Ambassador Pyatt Visits Rome An American official has made a quiet, important visit to the Vatican to discuss the situation in Ukraine. In a visit that has received no press attention up until now, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt (photo) was in Rome [...]
February 5, 2016, Friday -- Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill Will Meet in Cuba on February 12, 2016. IMPORTANT PRESS COMMUNIQUE FROM THE VATICAN Joint Press Release of the Holy See and of the Patriarchate of Moscow The Holy See and the Patriarchate of Moscow are pleased to announce that, by the grace of God, His [...]
An interview of Bishop Athanasius Schneider about the SSPX, women and footwashing, the consecration of Russia, anti-pastoral bishops, and more We do not endorse unreservedly every statement of Bishop Athanasius Schneider, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana, Kazakhstan. However, Schneider’s voice has become an influential one in the Church, especially in [...]
January 26, 2016, Tuesday -- Will Pope Francis Meet Kirill in... Cuba? "Everyone knows that he is the Pope of surprises. If he wants to make a change to his schedule, he will certainly do so." —Captain Domenico Giani, head of the Vatican's security force, after visiting Mexico recently to prepare the Pope's February 12-18 visit [...]
January 1, 2016, Friday -- Pope Begins 2016 with Visit to St. Mary Major "The Son of God, made incarnate for our salvation, has given us his Mother, who joins us on our pilgrimage through this life, so that we may never be left alone, especially at times of trouble and uncertainty."—Pope Francis, at a 5 [...]
December 17, 2015, Tuesday -- A Vatican-Russian Concert There was a remarkable "ecumenical" concert in Rome this evening at 8:30 p.m. in the Apse of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, often called "the Mother and Head of all churches in Rome and in the World" because it is the oldest and ranks first among the [...]