Moscow Synod Revives Annual Procession Tradition
On October 30, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church met in Moscow and resolved to restore the annual All-Moscow Cross Procession, a tradition discontinued since 1918. The first renewed procession took place on September 7 and drew tens of thousands of participants. The Synod called it a testament to the living faith of Muscovites, expressing gratitude to Patriarch Kirill, the mayor of Moscow, and city services. The Synod also recommended that dioceses across Russia hold similar annual processions in their metropolitan centers.

New Feast Day Established and Saints Added to Church Calendar
The Synod instituted a new feast — the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers, Founders of Monasticism, and All Saints Who Shone Forth in Egypt — to be celebrated annually on February 1 (January 19, Old Style), the commemoration day of St. Macarius the Great. The assembly includes all Egyptian saints listed in the Church calendar, as well as newly recognized martyrs from Esna and St. Damiana with her 40 companions.
Additionally, the Synod approved the inclusion of St. Olga of Alaska, the first saint from the Yup’ik Eskimo people canonized by the Orthodox Church in America in 2025. Her feast day will be observed on November 9 (October 27, Old Style).

Interfaith Forum “Dare for Peace” Concludes in Rome
From October 26–28, the international interreligious forum “Dare for Peace” was held in Rome, organized by the Catholic Community of Sant’Egidio. Delegates from various religions and cultures called for an end to wars and a “new era of reconciliation.” Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk represented the Russian Orthodox Church, conveying greetings from Patriarch Kirill to Pope Leo XIV. The closing ceremony in the Colosseum included a prayer for peace led by the Pope, who declared, “Peace is sacred, not war.” Participants emphasized that true security is based on dialogue, not armament.

Tensions Escalate Between Armenian Church and Government
The Armenian Apostolic Church reported the seizure of the Hovhannavank Monastery following a service by defrocked priest Stepan Asatryan, allegedly with the involvement of state security forces. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin denounced the act as sacrilege and a violation of religious freedom. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and government members attended the service. The Russian Orthodox Church condemned the Armenian authorities’ actions, with Patriarchal advisor Fr. Nikolai Balashov warning against state interference in Church affairs. Several clergy, including Archbishops Bagrat Galstanyan and Mikael Adjapakhyan, have been arrested.

Syrian President Visits Antiochian Patriarch
On October 26, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited the Assumption Cathedral in Damascus and met with Patriarch John X of Antioch. The Patriarch discussed the condition of Christian communities and called for greater protection of believers, recalling the June 22 terrorist attack at the Church of the Prophet Elijah. The meeting marked the president’s first official contact with the Patriarch since taking office in late 2024.

Consecration of Romania’s National Cathedral Mosaics
Also on October 26, the interior mosaics of the Cathedral of the Salvation of the Nation in Bucharest — the world’s tallest Orthodox church — were consecrated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Romanian Patriarch Daniel. Over 10,000 people attended, including the presidents of Romania and Moldova. The cathedral, standing 135 meters tall and decorated with nearly 18,000 m² of mosaics and frescoes, was the centerpiece of the celebrations marking the 140th anniversary of the Romanian Church’s autocephaly and the 100th anniversary of its Patriarchate.

Russian Historical Society Opens Office in Serbia
A new branch of the Russian Historical Society opened in Belgrade on October 26. The inaugural session gathered over a thousand participants, including Serbian Patriarch Porfirije and Russia’s ambassador Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko. The center aims to strengthen cultural and spiritual ties between the Russian and Serbian peoples and promote cooperation among museums, archives, and academic institutions.

Polish Orthodox Church Calls for Pan-Orthodox Council
Meeting in Warsaw on October 27, the Synod of the Polish Orthodox Church reaffirmed its commitment to overcoming divisions in global Orthodoxy and once again called for a Pan-Orthodox Council to restore unity. The Church made a similar appeal to Patriarch Bartholomew in 2022, insisting that reconciliation can be achieved only through conciliar dialogue.

World Council of Churches Holds Conference in Egypt
The 6th World Conference on Faith and Church Unity, organized by the World Council of Churches, was held in Egypt from October 24–28. The event, hosted for the first time in Africa, brought together over 400 participants from 100 countries. The opening took place at the Monastery of St. Pishoy in Wadi El Natrun under the presidency of Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi later met with the Patriarch and WCC delegates, expressing gratitude for their efforts toward peace and interreligious cooperation.