Polish Church celebrates 100th anniversary of autocephaly

Metropolitan Sawa. Photo: Polish Orthodox Church

On November 13, 2024, Warsaw hosted celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Poland, granted by the Patriarch of Constantinople on November 13, 1924, reports the website of the Polish Orthodox Church.

The official festivities started with a Divine Liturgy at St. Mary Magdalene Cathedral in Warsaw, presided over by Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland. Members of the Holy Synod and numerous clergy participated in the Liturgy.

Metropolitan Sawa extended greetings to representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Polish Council of Churches, the President of Poland, central and local authorities, as well as the faithful. In his address, he thanked God for the gift of autocephaly, emphasizing that this milestone strengthened the Orthodox identity in the country. The Metropolitan recalled the missionary work of Saints Cyril and Methodius and underscored the significance of autocephaly for the Church's stability and its improved relations with the state.

During the Liturgy, a message from the Holy Synod was read, along with prayers for the well-being of Poland and its people. Concluding the events, Metropolitan Sawa addressed the younger generation, urging them to draw wisdom from the lives of their ancestors and adhere to Christian values.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Polish Metropolitan Sawa congratulated Metropolitan Onuphry on his anniversary.

Read also

German McDonald's removes food from adverts until sunset over Ramadan

In Germany, during the Muslim fast, a fast-food chain hides food images in advertising during the day and shows them only in the evening.

Metropolitan Longin after hearings: Sessions conducted under the rule of law

After the Hertsa Сourt session, the bishop thanked the faithful for their support and called for forgiveness, prayer, and faithfulness to Christ.

Christian series "The Chosen" sets world record for being most widely-translated

The streaming series The Chosen , which explores the life of Jesus and his disciples, has broken its own Guinness World Record for being the most widely-translated series of all time.

US Secretary of Defense to the Army: God extends His arms over you

Pete Hegseth stated that American military personnel are "no longer defenders" but warriors "trained to destroy the enemy."

MP demands answers from Rivne authorities over UOC charity event

Bobrovska expressed outrage that city officials allowed the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC to hold a charity festival that raised money for children with cancer.

In U.S., Archbishop of Albania leads Divine Liturgy on Triumph of Orthodoxy

The Primate of the Albanian Church served in Massachusetts and called for visible unity among Orthodox jurisdictions.