Eastern Orthodoxy

The Latest

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I in Greece, April 16, 2016.

Francis appeals to the martyrs in ecumenical message to Patriarch

Nov 30, 2016

The Bishop of Rome sent a message to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople on Wednesday, continuing a recent tradition of... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass Feb. 2, 2015.

Pope invites Georgian Orthodox to unity through baptism

Oct 1, 2016

Speaking to Georgia's religious and civil authorities on Saturday, Pope Francis affirmed the country's Christian identity, and called the Georgian... Read more

Georgian Orthodox protestors line the streets of Tbilisi on Pope Francis' arrival to Georgia, Sept. 30, 2016.

In Georgia visit, Pope finds a country of Christian tensions

Sep 30, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis on his visit to Georgia will find a country where dialogue among Christians is particularly difficult, with cool... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Ilia II, the Georgian Orthodox Catholicos and Patriarch of All Georgia, in Tbilisi, Sept. 30, 2016.

Pope Francis to Georgian Orthodox: Christ's love unites us

Sep 30, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

God's love and our unity in Christ are what enable us to overcome conflict and disagreement, and to spread the... Read more

Members of the commission for dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches outside the shrine of the Holy Face in Manoppello, Italy, Sept. 18, 2016.

Catholics, Orthodox sign agreement on synodality and primacy

Sep 23, 2016

At an ecumenical gathering held this week, representatives of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches signed a joint document regarding synodality... Read more

Khalid Jabara, an Orthodox Christian of Lebanese descent who was killed Aug. 12, 2016.

In Arab Christian's murder, some see deadly American cultural tensions

Aug 19, 2016

By Kevin J. Jones

Khalid Jabara, a Lebanese-American Christian man, was killed in Tulsa, Okla. last week. His alleged assailant was a man who... Read more

Eastern Orthodox Primates gathered in Crete to prepare for the pan-Orthodox Council, June 17, 2016.

Pan-Orthodox Council still a go – spokesman for Ecumenical Patriarch

Jun 17, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Despite last-minute defections by representatives of four Orthodox Patriarchates, a spokesman for the Ecumenical Patriarch insists that the Council of... Read more

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Can the Eastern Orthodox still hold a 'pan-Orthodox Council'?

Jun 16, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

While the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople maintains the “pan-Orthodox Council” scheduled to begin on Sunday will take place, the gathering... Read more

Refugees in Athens.

Pope Francis' visit to Greece shows a shared Christian concern for refugees

Apr 15, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis’ visit on Saturday with refugees in Greece will show solidarity with those in need and demonstrate a shared... Read more

Pope Francis addresses delegates of Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, at the Private Library of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, June 27, 2015.

Catholics and Orthodox should meet, cooperate more often, Pope exhorts

Jun 27, 2015

Greeting a delegation of the leader of Eastern Orthodoxy on Saturday, Pope Francis voiced hope that Catholics and Eastern Orthodox... Read more

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople at the Vatican, June 8, 2014.

A new path for unity – Pope and Patriarch to face world challenges together

Nov 28, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A common declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew on the issues of ecology and poverty would be natural is... Read more

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Pope Francis will meet with Patriarch Bartholomew I in May. Courtesy Israel Ministry of Tourism.

Papal visit to Holy Land to focus on ecumenism with Orthodox

Jan 8, 2014

Pope Francis' pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to be held in May, will center on his encounter with Patriarch Bartholomew... Read more