Head of Russian Orthodox Exarchate in Western Europe Retires

Archbishop Gabriel (de Vylder) of Comana, head of the Russian Orthodox Exarchate of Western Europe under the Church of Constantinople, has announced his retirement as ruling hierarch of the exarchate due to ongoing health issues. The archbishop's retirement is effective 15 January, although he will be commemorated by the Exarchate until the Ecumenical Patriarchate appoints a locum tenens. More here. Archbishop Gabriel's announcement of his retirement can be found here.

Antiochian Orthodox Patriarch in Critical Condition

It has been reported that Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch has suffered a stroke and is in critical condition. He was initially transported to a hospital in the Damascus area, but later transferred to a hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. Please remember Patriarch Ignatius in your prayers!

H/t to Notes on Arab Orthodoxy for posting this.

Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Undergoes Surgery in Germany

Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zacchaeus I (Iwas) of the Syriac Orthodox Church underwent a successful surgery this morning in Hanover, Germany. Prayers for his continued good health and recovery are appreciated as the patriarch convalesces in Hanover over the next few days. More in Arabic here.

Former Evangelical Orthodox Leader Diagnosed with Cancer

Archpriest Peter Gillquist, a leader of the union of the larger part of the independent Evangelical Orthodox Church in North America with the Antiochian Orthodox Church in the late 1980s, has been diagnosed with skin cancer. Please remember him and his family in your prayers! More here.

Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan in the USA Undergoes Heart Surgery

Please remember Metropolitan Constantine (Buggan) of Irinoupolis, First Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, in your prayers as he recovers from heart surgery, which he underwent this past Monday. Metropolitan Constantine is reportedly in good condition.

Metropolitan Volodymyr Hospitalized

Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) of Kiev, First Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has been hospitalized since the weekend, with his doctors referring to his health as grave. Please keep him in your prayers! Hat tip to Ad Orientem.

Metropolitan Volodymyr Released from Hospital

Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) of Kiev has been released from the hospital following a successful operation on one of his legs. More (in Ukrainian) here.

Coptic Orthodox Pope Returns to Cairo

Pope Sehnouda III (al-Suriani) of the Coptic Orthodox Church has returned to Cairo from his latest three-week visit to the United States for medical care. More here.

Pittsburgh Metropolitan Resigns

Metropolitan Maximos (Aghiorgoussis) of Pittsburgh of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has resigned due to health-related issues from oversight of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has accepted the resignation, whilst Metropolitan Nicholas (Pissare) of Detroit has been appointed locum tenens for the vacant metropolis. More here.

Kyrenia Metropolitan in ICU

Please keep the Cypriot Orthodox Church's Metropolitan Pavlos of Kyrenia in your prayers as he has been hospitalized and placed in an intensive care unit to treat an assortment of medical issues. More details (in Greek) can be found here.

Pittsburgh Bishop Hospitalized

Bishop Melchisedek (Pleska) of Pittsburgh, interim chancellor of the American Orthodox Church, has been hospitalized in New York due to abdominal pains caused by a hernia. Please remember him in your prayers! More here.

Update (16/8/2011): Bishop Melchisedek has undergone surgery for his hernia and will remain in New York until his doctors there permit him to return to Pittsburgh. More here.

Pope Shenouda Preaches Weekly Sermon, Prepares for Visits to the USA and Hungary

Taking rumors of his death lightly, during his weekly Wednesday sermon Pope Shenouda III (al-Suriani) of Alexandria told those present that he "came from the other world" because he missed his flock. The Coptic Orthodox pope will travel to Hungary next week to consecrate that country's first Coptic Orthodox church and then make a brief trip to the United States for medical checkups. More here.

Coptic Orthodox Church Denies Pope Gravely Ill or Deceased

The Coptic Orthodox Church is denying rumors spread last night that Pope Shenouda III (al-Suriani) of Alexandria is gravely ill and had reposed during the night, saying that he will be giving his weekly sermon at St. Mark's Cathedral in Abbasiya, Cairo, this Wednesday as usual. More here.

Patriarch Cyril Released from Moscow Hospital, Attends Services

After reportedly suffering a heart attack Patriarch Kirill (Gundyayev) of the Russian Orthodox Church returned from Moscow's Central Clinical Hospital to the patriarchal residence, where this morning he attended the Sunday Liturgy in the residence's house church. Although discharged from hospital care the patriarch has been placed on a restricted workload for the short-term to avoid a recurrence of whatever caused his recent ill health. More (in Russian) here.

Prayers Requested for Former Archbishop of Dallas

The Holy Synod of the American Orthodox Church has requested prayers for retired Archbishop Dmitri (Royster) of Dallas, whose health has reportedly declined significantly in recent days. More here.

Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Returns to Syria

Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatios Zakka I (Iwas) of the Syriac Orthodox Church has returned to Damascus after traveling to Germany for medical attention. More (in Arabic) here.

Pope Shenouda Returns from Medical Checkups

Pope Shenouda III (al-Suriani) of the Coptic Orthodox Church has returned to Egypt from his most recent round of medical checkups in the United States. More here.

Pope Shenouda in USA for Medical Tests, Not Protests

A spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod has denied rumors that Pope Shenouda III (al-Suriani) is in the United States to protest political developments in Egypt. Pope Shenouda traveled to the USA at the end of May for a round of medical examinations and recently announced an extension of his stay to finish additional tests requested by his doctors. More here.

South Ossetian Orthodox Bishop Retired

The Old Calendrist 'Holy Synod in Resistance' of the Greek Orthodox Church has granted the head of the Orthodox Church in South Ossetia, Bishop George of Alania, retirement due to his ongoing health issues. Bishop Ambrose of Methone, an auxiliary to the first hierarch of the Synod in Resistance, has been appointed locum tenens of the Diocese of Alania. More here.

Pope Shenouda Returns to USA for Medical Care

The Coptic Orthodox Church's 88-year old Pope Shenouda III (al-Suriani) has returned to the United States for medical treatment. More here.