EOC bishop on government demands: Salvation does not depend on legal status
Bishop Daniil of Tartu. Photo: s.err.ee
“It is un-Orthodox to claim that the salvation of the soul depends on legal status,” said Bishop Daniil of Tartu on the program Coffee+, commenting on the position of the Pühtitsa Convent regarding the Estonian government’s demands to leave the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), as reported by Postimees.
The bishop of the Estonian Orthodox Church explained that the Pühtitsa Convent cannot change its jurisdiction but hopes this will not affect the convent's activities.
“I think our minister does not want to go down in history as the person who closed a 133-year-old monastery,” said the bishop.
As previously reported, on October 29, the Pühtitsa Convent sent a letter to Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets explaining that the state's demand for the nunnery to leave the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate and renounce its stauropegial status is unacceptable and cannot be fulfilled. The convent underscored that the “proposed granting of the right to the nuns to choose their jurisdiction is in direct contradiction with both the concept of monasticism and the vows based on renunciation of the world.”
Read also
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.
London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights
In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.
DESS: Ramadan is a time of special closeness to the Almighty
DESS congratulated Ukraine’s Muslims on the beginning of Ramadan.
Jehovah’s witness pastor sentenced in Lviv region for refusing TRC service
A court in Lviv region sentenced a Jehovah’s Witness pastor to five years in prison for unauthorized absence from his unit and for refusing to serve as a TRC cook.
Orthodox Church in America raises $700,000 for Ukrainians in Poland
An OCA representative met with Metropolitan Sava and discussed humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
Hollywood Catholic actors remind of the spiritual meaning of Great Lent
Mark Wahlberg i Jonathan Roumie recorded a video message calling for prayer at the beginning of Great Lent.