Greek-Orthodox
Australia
The Greek Paradox: Why Do First Generation Greek-Australians Live Longer?
Scottish-Australian physician Norman Swan has made a complex discovery recently. Swan found that Greek-Australians, despite subscribing to potentially life-threatening practices and diets, have the second highest life expectancy behind the Japanese.
Swan dubbed this situation "the Greek Paradox" in his...
Europe
The Karamanlides: Orthodox, Turkish-Speaking People Native to Anatolia
A group of people native to Anatolia, the Karamanlides, are believed by many to be Turkish speaking Greeks. They used a dialect of Turkish in combination with the Greek alphabet.
Starting as far back as 1071, Turks began settling in...
Greek church
Turkey Bans Liturgy at Historic Monastery of Panagia Soumela
Turkey has forbidden the liturgy at the historic Orthodox monastery of Panagia Soumela on the August 15 religious holiday.
The Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople informed the Christian community of the decision in a statement released on Thursday. However, no explanation...
Crime
Greek Priest Detained for ‘Anointing’ Tourist’s Genitals with Holy Oil
A Greek Orthodox priest was arrested on the Greek island of Rhodes for allegedly molesting a male tourist from Estonia, according to local media. The priest reportedly "anointed" the tourist's genitals with holy oil.
The tourist and his girlfriend first...
Greek church
Sanctions Limit Russia’s Participation in Orthodox Christian Assembly
The war in Ukraine and the political fallout ensuing from it has limited Russia's participation in the Interparliamentary Assemble of Orthodoxy (IAO).
Over the weekend, a delegation from Russia, as well as the Belarusian and Syrian delegations, were barred from...
Greek church
King Charles Coronation to Feature Greek Orthodox Music
The conductor of one of the choirs that will sing at the coronation of King Charles III will be Dr. Alexandros Ligas, a Greek professor of Orthodox music and founder of the Cappella Romana choir.
The coronation is taking place...
Greek church
How Christian Communities Coexist Within the Church of Holy Sepulchre
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is one of the holiest sites in the world for Christian believers. It is believed to contain two holy sites: the place of Christ's crucifixion and the location of the tomb...
Animals
Why Greeks Roast a Whole Lamb on the Spit on Easter Sunday
The picture of a whole lamb slowly turning on the spit over charcoal and the smell that accompanies it spells Easter Sunday for Greeks.
Greek church
The Miraculous Holy Fire Arrives in Greece from Jerusalem
The light of the Holy Fire reached Athens on Saturday at approximately 20:30 after a short delay.
The Holy Fire is a miracle purported to take place every year at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Great Saturday, just...
Greece
Why Orthodox and Catholic Easter Are on Different Dates
Orthodox and Catholic Easter are usually set on different dates. Greece is slowly but surely coming closer to the great feast of Greek Orthodox Easter, or Pascha—a religious occasion celebrated here with more gusto than in many other Western...