On January 19, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated the Feast of Theophany, one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Christian Church. Solemn services, water blessings, and traditional baptisms were held in many countries. In North Macedonia, the waters of the Vardar River were blessed, while in Montenegro, the waters of the Black Sea. Services were also held in remote dioceses along the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In Kenya, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa blessed the waters of Lake Victoria. On the Holy Land, in Jerusalem, Patriarch Theophilus conducted the service on the Jordan River, where the baptism of Christ is believed to have occurred.
On January 25, 2025, Archbishop Anastasios of Albania passed away at the age of 96 in Athens due to multiple organ failure. He had led the Albanian Orthodox Church since 1991, restoring it after decades of atheist rule. Under his leadership, hundreds of churches were built, educational institutions were opened, and the clergy were revived. He had been hospitalized in December 2024 and underwent several operations. Condolences were sent by President of Albania and leaders of other Orthodox Churches, including Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
The Estonian Ministry of the Interior has prepared a bill that would require the Estonian Orthodox Church to change its constitution and break away from the Moscow Patriarchate. This amendment aims to reduce the influence of Russia and curb the spread of extremist ideology through religious organizations. The bill has drawn criticism from the Russian Orthodox Church, which views it as an infringement on religious freedom. Meanwhile, the Estonian Orthodox Church has changed its name to the "Estonian Christian Orthodox Church," in response to a court ruling.
Monks and abbots from 40 monasteries in Greece and Mount Athos issued an open letter condemning the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, particularly the new law that places the Church outside the law and the violent seizure of the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy. The letter emphasizes the importance of Christian values and calls for an end to violence and for efforts to restore peace.
On January 16, 2025, the Ukrainian Supreme Court ruled to transfer the Eletsky Monastery in Chernihiv, previously owned by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, to the "Chernigov Ancient" reserve. This decision follows the closure of several monasteries and churches under the pretext of restoration. The relics of Chernihiv saints remain under state custody as museum exhibits.
On January 18, during a rocket attack, the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Zaporizhzhia, belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was severely damaged. The roof, dome, ceilings, windows, and interior were destroyed, and murals were lost. Thankfully, no one was injured. The cathedral, the main church of the UOC in the city, requires restoration, and the diocese is calling on those able to assist with the recovery efforts. A surviving relic—the icon of St. Andrew the Apostle—was found in the ruins.
Abuna Mathewos, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, called for peace in the Tigray region amid the intensifying conflict between the factions of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The Patriarch expressed concern over the division within the TPLF, warning that continued mutual accusations could jeopardize the fragile peace in the region. He called for dialogue among the leaders and urged them to address the pressing issues.
The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, congratulated Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States and emphasized the importance of traditional Christian values. He expressed hope that Trump would work to strengthen peace and defend universal human values based on Christian principles. Patriarch Ilia II quoted Psalm 39:5 and prayed for God's blessing on Trump, his family, and his team. In response, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to God and his dedication to fulfilling Martin Luther King's dream.