Russian Orthodox Bishop Committed to Protecting Yakut Culture, Organizing a Seminary

During a press conference the newly consecrated Bishop Roman of Yakutsk and the Lena has expressed his intention to have his see's theological school reorganized as a seminary to better provide the pastoral training needed for the clergy of the Orthodox Church in Yakutia. Bishop Roman also expressed his concern over the corrosivie effects of globalization on Yakut culture and the commitment of the Orthodox Church in Yakutia to protecting the Yakut nation and its cultural traditions. More (in Russian) here.

Egyptian Tourist Destination Introduces Dress Code

A movement in Egypt to require visiting tourists to follow a dress code respectful of the local population is gaining momentum as a popular coastal tourist destination has introduced a local code requiring women to wear skirts reaching past their knees and tops that cover their arms. More here.

Moscow City Government to Renovate Cultural Heritage Sites

The city government of Moscow has approved a cooperative restoration project with the Russian Orthodox Church that allocates 1.5 billion rubles ($54.9 million) to restore 28 of the city's churches and monasteries classified as cultural heritage sites. Among the sites is Sts. Mary and Martha's Community in Moscow, the center of the sisters of mercy founded by St. Elizabeth the New Martyr. More (in Russian) here.

"Church Recognizes Growing Need for Mental Health Services"

An interesting article on how mental health issues are dealt with by southern California's Copts (and no doubt by many other communities worldwide) can be found here.

"Fighting Child Marriage in Ethiopia"

An article on the unfortunately rather widespread practice of child marriage in Ethiopia can be found here.

"Avoiding Both Self-Ghettoization and Trinket Evangelism"

Fr. Oliver Herbel has an excellent post on balance in Orthodox life and outreach in North America here. He speaks at one point of Orthodox Christians who grow out their hair, wear all black, and wonder around with long prayer ropes and I couldn't help laughing - partly because I was trending in that direction at one point :-) and partly because I still meet converts in that phase.

When I left Protestantism the question of how to be relevant to the wider culture around me ceased to be a question and the beard and prayer rope were added to my 'look.' I certainly haven't grown in faith since those days, but more and more I'm realizing that the question of relevance isn't irrelevant :-). It can be thought about too much (and result in awesome stuff like crowd surfing during church), but that doesn't mean that we in the world shouldn't take a look in the mirror from time to time and ask ourselves how we are witnesses to others of God's call to communion with Him.

So, there's my half penny on all of this. Fr. Oliver's article is much better and to the point. Enjoy!

Pictured is yours truly being culturally relevant in a kilt - culturally relevant for a friend's wedding that is :-).