World Federation of Orthodox and Apostolic Churches

10/06/2026

St Ternan the Bishop of the Picts, from the Arbuthnott Book of Hours Edited by Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) St. Ternan of the Pi...

09/06/2026

The great martyrs of the Far East!

ALL THE SAINTS OF CHINA (JUNE 11TH)

Throughout the 20th century, Chinese Christians endured waves of political upheaval, social persecution, and cultural revolution. Churches were shuttered, clergy arrested, and believers forced into hiding. Yet the faith lived on - quietly, resiliently, prayerfully. Some carried worn icons hidden in their homes. Others baptized in secret. And in every generation, God raised up faithful witnesses: bishops who endured prison, grandmothers who catechized their grandchildren in whispers, and scholars who translated Scripture by candlelight.

In the spirit of Hebrews 11, these Chinese saints - known and unknown - confessed that they were “strangers and pilgrims on the earth,” seeking a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Their lives form a tapestry of faith woven through dynasties, revolutions, and regimes, upheld not by the strength of men, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

COLLECT

O Almighty and Everlasting God, who didst raise up in every age faithful witnesses in the land of China, and didst glorify thy name in the lives and deaths of martyrs, confessors, bishops, and humble layfolk: Grant that we, being compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, may run with patience the race that is set before us; and that, strengthened by their prayers, we may boldly confess thy holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Let their memory be eternal, and may their intercession protect and strengthen the Church in the Far East!

08/06/2026

We pray for those affected by this tragedy. Lord, have mercy!

A PASTORAL LETTER OF SYMPATHY AND CONSOLATION TO THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE
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‎Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
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‎Grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
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‎With profound sorrow, we have received the news of the devastating earthquake that has struck parts of Mindanao, bringing grief, destruction, and hardship to countless families and communities. On behalf of the Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Philippines, together with our sister Churches in communion—the Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Ancient Church of the West, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of East Asia, and the Anglo-Orthodox Vicariate of the Philippines—I extend our deepest sympathy, heartfelt prayers, and unwavering solidarity to all who have been affected by this tragedy.
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‎We mourn with those who have lost their loved ones, pray for the healing of the injured, and stand beside those who have lost their homes, livelihoods, and sense of security. In this time of suffering, may the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Physician and Prince of Peace, embrace you with His unfailing love and strengthen you with His abiding presence.
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‎The Holy Scriptures proclaim, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Though the earth may tremble beneath us, the mercy of God remains steadfast and His faithfulness endures forever. He comforts the brokenhearted, sustains the weary, and calls His people to become instruments of compassion and hope.
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‎We invite all clergy, faithful, and people of goodwill to unite in prayer and in works of mercy for our suffering brothers and sisters in Mindanao. May our generosity, charity, and Christian love become visible signs of God's healing grace as communities rebuild and families recover from this calamity.
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‎We fervently pray that the Most Holy Theotokos, together with all the saints, intercede for the afflicted. May Almighty God grant eternal rest to those who have departed this life, healing to the wounded, protection to rescue workers and volunteers, wisdom to civil authorities, and courage and hope to every family enduring this painful trial.
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‎As one communion united in faith and charity, we assure you that you are not alone. We stand with you in prayer, in compassion, and in the hope of the Resurrection, trusting that God will bring strength from weakness and new life from adversity.
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‎May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon all the people of Mindanao and remain with you always.
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‎Given in the spirit of Christian love and pastoral care.
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‎Most Rev. Rogelio E. Cruz
‎Presiding Metropolitan
‎Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Philippines

06/06/2026

St. Boniface, Apostle to the Germans By Bp. Joseph ( Ancient Church of the West ) St. Boniface was a born to a respected Christian family...

01/06/2026

A Contemporary Icon of St. Blandina of Lyon Compiled and Edited by Bp. Joseph ( Ancient Church of the West ) St. Blandina stands as a shinin...

01/06/2026

St. Justin Martyr Teaching the Gentiles Edited by Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) The Life of St. Justin Martyr St. Justin Martyr ...

01/06/2026

A meditation on Far Eastern Orthodoxy from the Church in the East!

十字寶蓮默想

遠東烏克蘭聖統東正基督教會

當我們默想這十字寶蓮的聖像時，我們不僅是在觀看一件藝術品，更是在瞻仰一個信仰的奧祕，一段跨越千年的見證，以及那位昨日、今日、一直到永遠是一樣的主耶穌基督。

這十字並非出自西方，也非出自近代。它承載著遠東基督教古老而神聖的記憶。當福音從耶路撒冷傳到安提阿，又從安提阿傳到美索不達米亞、波斯、中亞，最後沿著古老的絲綢之路來到神州大地之時，基督的十字便開始在東方發光。景教的修士、主教、學者與商旅，帶著聖經與福音，穿越沙漠、高山與草原，使基督的名被傳揚於長安，也被傳揚於天下。

因此，這十字不僅是一個記號，更是一份產業。它提醒我們，基督教並不是外來的思想，而是早在千餘年前便已在東方扎根、生長、結果的生命之道。

在這聖像的中心，我們看見十字高高豎立在寶蓮之上。

十字乃是宇宙的中心，也是救恩的中心。主耶穌基督在十字架上獻上自己，藉著祂的受死敗壞死亡，藉著祂的復活賜下永生。世人所看為羞辱的木架，神卻使之成為榮耀的寶座；世人所看為失敗的時刻，神卻藉此成就了萬世以前所預定的救恩。

十字之所以寶貴，不是因為它是黃金所造，乃是因為神的兒子曾在其上流出寶血。正如使徒保羅所說：

「我斷不以別的誇口，只誇我們主耶穌基督的十字架。」（加拉太書六章十四節）

而在十字之下，我們看見盛開的寶蓮。

蓮花生於污泥之中，卻不被污泥所染。這正如主耶穌基督降生於墮落的世界，卻沒有絲毫罪惡。也正如每一位基督徒蒙召活在這世界上，卻不屬於這世界。寶蓮承托十字，向我們述說一個永恆的真理：基督並非離開世界而拯救世界，乃是進入世界而更新世界；祂不是毀滅受造之物，乃是使受造之物在祂裡面得著更新與榮耀。

在十字兩旁，我們看見古代景教信仰對至聖三一的見證。

左上方的三葉結象徵聖父、聖子、聖靈。正如大秦景教流行中國碑所記：

「妙有三一，分身無極。」

這八個字深刻地表達了教會自使徒時代以來所宣認的信仰。神只有一位，卻永遠存在於三個位格之中。聖父是造物之主，萬有都本於祂；聖子是救世之主，萬有都藉著祂得蒙救贖；聖靈是生命之主，萬有都因祂得以成聖。

因此，這聖像上的文字宣告：

「父神阿羅訶，創造萬物之主。」

「明子基督彌施訶，道成肉身之救世主。」

「聖靈淨風王，賜生命與聖化之主。」

這不只是唐代基督教的信仰，也是今日普世正教會所宣認的信仰。

因為教會的信仰從未改變，改變的只是語言；從未改變的是福音，改變的只是文化的衣裳。

31/05/2026

25/05/2026

May the Lord hear the prayers of His Friend, St. Augustine of Canterbury!

St. Augustine of Canterbury, Organizer of the British Church Edited by Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) May 26th is the feast of S...