One of Gaza's oldest churches might have faced the wrath of the ongoing war but the Gazan spirit is on the rise.

Wartime Mass | Palestinians orthodox Christians celebrate Palm Sunday | The West Asia Post

Orthodox Christmas 2024: More than 200 million Christians associated with Orthodox churches celebrated Christmas on January 7 instead of December 25, as they follow the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar followed by other Christian denominations.

Orthodox Christmas 2024: More than 200 million Christians associated with Orthodox churches celebrated Christmas on January 7 instead of December 25, as they follow the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar followed by other Christian denominations. Orthodox Christians from Cairo to Moscow celebrated the occasion by organising various events and ceremonies. The majority of Orthodox Christians live in Eastern Europe. While those living in Ukraine celebrated Christmas on December 25, others living in areas like Russia-controlled Donetsk celebrated it on January 7. Russian President Vladimir Putin also attended the Orthodox Christmas service at a church in Moscow. In Georgia's capital city, Tbilisi, those celebrating participated in an annual Orthodox Christmas procession called Alilo. Meanwhile, in Belgrade, Serbians gathered to eat the traditional Christmas bread. Furthermore, Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia, Egypt, and Macedonia celebrated the festival with several events. ALSO READ | Boeing’s mid-air door blow out: No design flaws suspected ‘this time’, claim investigators Why do Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 Some Eastern Orthodox churches follow the ancient Julian calendar, which runs 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar used by Catholic and Protestant churches. Although the Eastern Orthodox churches agree that December 25 is the date of Christmas or "Feast of the Nativity", they question whether December 25 falls on December 25 or January 7. However, the Julian calendar has increasingly misaligned with the solar year. Until 1923, all Eastern Orthodox churches followed the old calendar. But then, an inter-Orthodox gathering adopted a revised Julian calendar similar to the Gregorian. A few Orthodox churches, including those following Greek tradition and some in Ukraine, have started celebrating Christmas on the same date as Western churches. But many, like the Russian Orthodox Church, the largest communion in Eastern Orthodoxy, Serbian and Georgian churches, have stuck to the old calendar, observing Christmas on January 7. The traditions of Orthodox Christmas vary from place to place. But it usually involves a grand worship service a night before Christmas, featuring a midnight liturgy. Many observe fasting and culminate in a festive meal on January 6 called the Holy Supper. Orthodox Christians based in Western countries like the United States follow different dates. Orthodox, Greek and Antiochian churches in the US celebrated Christmas on December 25. However, some churches in the Slavic tradition, Serbian churches and other small Russian churches observe Christmas on January 7. (With inputs from agencies)

Orthodox Christians around the world celebrated Christmas on January 7. Here's why

Some Orthodox and Muslim communities&nbsp;have only three years until their allotted grave space in Sydney's crown&nbsp;cemeteries is full.&nbsp;The Eastern Orthodox faith, which includes Greek Orthodox, will run out of burial space in four and a half years.

The catastrophic situation has compelled the consolidation of three crown cemetery administrators - Rookwood general, northern metropolitan, and southern metropolitan - into a single unit, as reported by the Guardian.&nbsp;

<h2>How will the issue be resolved?</h2>

The new metropolitan cemeteries and crematoria property manager will be entrusted with solving the major difficulties confronting the Sydney cemetery and crematoria sector, as well as ensuring respectful and affordable burial and cremation services remain accessible for all, according to the NSW government.

“This merger will provide certainty for the industry, staff and consumers and a clear path to better manage our cemeteries so that the city’s burial needs are met and we can identify new efficiencies,” lands and property minister Steve Kamper told the Guardian&nbsp;on Friday.

As per&nbsp;an independent audit, the supply of graves for the Armenian and Antiochian Orthodox religions will run out in three years, the supply of graves for Muslim funerals would run out in four and a half years, and the supply of graves for the Eastern Orthodox faith will run out in four and a half years.

Burial is the sole internment method used by Muslims and Orthodox faiths.

It follows an independent study that indicated immediate action was required to fix "considerable" shortcomings in OneCrown's governance framework.

The Berejiklian Liberal government established OneCrown in 2021 in an attempt to consolidate NSW's five major royal cemetery operators and avoid financial disaster.

However, uncertainty over the project's future prevented major investment choices and resulted in the resignation of one in every three employees.

“The independent report that was released last month highlighted the disaster that the previous government created through indecision and infighting. We will not make the same mistakes,” Kamper said.

<h2>Funds needed to build new graves&nbsp;</h2>

The cost of establishing new graves ranges from $200 million&nbsp;to $300 million.

Pinegrove Memorial Park, a crematorium in Minchinbury created more than 50 years ago, was Sydney's ultimate cemetery.

Sydney's population has grown by around three million since its founding in 1962, according to City Hub.

Greater Sydney will have 6.1 million inhabitants by 2033, raising concerns regarding the price of burial options for households as well as the availability of land, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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Some Orthodox and Muslim communities have only three years until their allotted grave space in Sydney's crown cemeteries is full. The Eastern Orthodox faith, which includes Greek Orthodox, will run out of burial space in four and a half years.

Some Orthodox and Muslim communities have only three years until their allotted grave space in Sydney's crown cemeteries is full. The Eastern Orthodox faith, which includes Greek Orthodox, will run out of burial space in four and a half years. The catastrophic situation has compelled the consolidation of three crown cemetery administrators - Rookwood general, northern metropolitan, and southern metropolitan - into a single unit, as reported by the Guardian. How will the issue be resolved? The new metropolitan cemeteries and crematoria property manager will be entrusted with solving the major difficulties confronting the Sydney cemetery and crematoria sector, as well as ensuring respectful and affordable burial and cremation services remain accessible for all, according to the NSW government. “This merger will provide certainty for the industry, staff and consumers and a clear path to better manage our cemeteries so that the city’s burial needs are met and we can identify new efficiencies,” lands and property minister Steve Kamper told the Guardian on Friday. As per an independent audit, the supply of graves for the Armenian and Antiochian Orthodox religions will run out in three years, the supply of graves for Muslim funerals would run out in four and a half years, and the supply of graves for the Eastern Orthodox faith will run out in four and a half years. Burial is the sole internment method used by Muslims and Orthodox faiths. It follows an independent study that indicated immediate action was required to fix "considerable" shortcomings in OneCrown's governance framework. The Berejiklian Liberal government established OneCrown in 2021 in an attempt to consolidate NSW's five major royal cemetery operators and avoid financial disaster. However, uncertainty over the project's future prevented major investment choices and resulted in the resignation of one in every three employees. “The independent report that was released last month highlighted the disaster that the previous government created through indecision and infighting. We will not make the same mistakes,” Kamper said. Funds needed to build new graves The cost of establishing new graves ranges from $200 million to $300 million. Pinegrove Memorial Park, a crematorium in Minchinbury created more than 50 years ago, was Sydney's ultimate cemetery. Sydney's population has grown by around three million since its founding in 1962, according to City Hub. Greater Sydney will have 6.1 million inhabitants by 2033, raising concerns regarding the price of burial options for households as well as the availability of land, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Grave’ situation in Sydney: Largest city in Australia to run out of burial space?

Thousands of Orthodox Christians marched in Belgrade to protest against holding the EuroPride. The protester marched through the city carrying religious symbols like flags, crosses, and icons while chanting and praying.

The protests came despite the Serbian government's announcing the cancellation of a pan-European LGBTQ event next week. On Saturday (August 27), President Aleksandar Vucic declared, after consulting with his government, that the pride parade would be "postponed or cancelled.’’

According to Vucic, it was difficult to manage everything during a time when the country was already dealing with all kinds of problems, highlighting recent tensions with the former province of Kosovo as well as concerns over energy and food.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-pride-event-scheduled-to-be-held-in-taiwan-cancelled-country-blames-political-considerations-506289">Also read |&nbsp;Global Pride event scheduled to be held in Taiwan cancelled, Taipei blames 'political considerations'</a>

Serbian Orthodox Bishop Nikanor praised the government’s decision to cancel the parade. A video was posted on the Glas Javnosti website, where he considered it to be an "abnormality" that should be handled the same way Vladimir Putin handled it. In 2013, Russia outlined a law banning LGBT "propaganda" directed towards minors with punishable fines and imprisonment. Nikanor referred to Putin as "the tsar of the planet."

The bishop further said that the faithful ones are ready to take it to the streets again, putting themselves before those who intend to destroy the values of Serbia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pride-month-berlin-mosque-flies-rainbow-flag-to-support-lgbt-communities-494569">Also read |&nbsp;Pride month: Berlin mosque flies rainbow flag to support LGBT communities</a>

However, the parade will still take place as per the EuroPride organisers. The coordinator for Belgrade Pride, Marko Mihailovic, said that as per schedule, the parade will take place on September 17.

Since 2014, the Belgrade Pride has been organised on a regular basis but has had a substantial police enforcement presence.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Thousands of Orthodox Christians marched in Belgrade to protest against holding the EuroPride. The protester marched through the city carrying religious symbols like flags, crosses, and icons while chanting and praying.

Thousands of Orthodox Christians marched in Belgrade to protest against holding the EuroPride. The protester marched through the city carrying religious symbols like flags, crosses, and icons while chanting and praying. The protests came despite the Serbian government's announcing the cancellation of a pan-European LGBTQ event next week. On Saturday (August 27), President Aleksandar Vucic declared, after consulting with his government, that the pride parade would be "postponed or cancelled.’’ According to Vucic, it was difficult to manage everything during a time when the country was already dealing with all kinds of problems, highlighting recent tensions with the former province of Kosovo as well as concerns over energy and food. Also read | Global Pride event scheduled to be held in Taiwan cancelled, Taipei blames 'political considerations' Serbian Orthodox Bishop Nikanor praised the government’s decision to cancel the parade. A video was posted on the Glas Javnosti website, where he considered it to be an "abnormality" that should be handled the same way Vladimir Putin handled it. In 2013, Russia outlined a law banning LGBT "propaganda" directed towards minors with punishable fines and imprisonment. Nikanor referred to Putin as "the tsar of the planet." The bishop further said that the faithful ones are ready to take it to the streets again, putting themselves before those who intend to destroy the values of Serbia. Also read | Pride month: Berlin mosque flies rainbow flag to support LGBT communities However, the parade will still take place as per the EuroPride organisers. The coordinator for Belgrade Pride, Marko Mihailovic, said that as per schedule, the parade will take place on September 17. Since 2014, the Belgrade Pride has been organised on a regular basis but has had a substantial police enforcement presence. (With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of Orthodox Christians gather in Belgrade to protest against EuroPride

Orthodox Christians across Egypt celebrated Palm Sunday, a day which commemorates Christ's arrival to the city of Jerusalem, amid coronavirus restrictions for the second year in a row.

Orthodox Christians celebrate Palm Sunday in Egypt