Macedonia: Crackdown on believers
Security forces detained 17 monks, nuns and believers as part of a fresh crackdown on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. On Tuesday, May 22nd police entered several monasteries and homes of church members of the Serbian Orthodox Church's ‘Ohrid Archbishopric’ in Macedonia. Police said the raids were part of an investigation into ‘tax evasion fraud’. But rights investigators have linked these and other raids to the government's refusal to register the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. An Interior Ministry blacklist lists over 20 Serbian Orthodox bishops banned from entering Macedonia. The Serbian Orthodox Church Synod in Belgrade condemned as ‘political and not judicial’ the sentence of two and half years to Archbishop Jovan, in Idrizovo prison. It’s not clear how the EU will react to these developments. Macedonia is seeking membership of the EU and the NATO military alliance. Tensions over religious and national identities are a left-over of the 1990’s Balkan wars.
Pray: against the desire to eradicate the Church in Macedonia, and pray for a modern and democratic approach to Christianity. (Ps.135:13)
Macedonia: Crackdown on believers
Security forces detained 17 monks, nuns and believers as part of a fresh crackdown on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. On Tuesday, May 22nd police entered several monasteries and homes of church members of the Serbian Orthodox Church's ‘Ohrid Archbishopric’ in Macedonia. Police said the raids were part of an investigation into ‘tax evasion fraud’. But rights investigators have linked these and other raids to the government's refusal to register the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. An Interior Ministry blacklist lists over 20 Serbian Orthodox bishops banned from entering Macedonia. The Serbian Orthodox Church Synod in Belgrade condemned as ‘political and not judicial’ the sentence of two and half years to Archbishop Jovan, in Idrizovo prison. It’s not clear how the EU will react to these developments. Macedonia is seeking membership of the EU and the NATO military alliance. Tensions over religious and national identities are a left-over of the 1990’s Balkan wars.
Pray: against the desire to eradicate the Church in Macedonia, and pray for a modern and democratic approach to Christianity. (Ps.135:13)
Special Grace for Diamond Jubilee lunches
Community lunches will take place all across Britain on 3 June in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Churches are being encouraged to take the lead in their communities so that Big Jubilee Lunches start with a specially written Grace. The Grace has been seen by the Queen and reads - O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, we give you thanks for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth; for her steadfast faith and for her royal service to this nation and all the peoples of the Commonwealth. Bless the food before us and the people beside us; may the sharing of this meal strengthen our communities, and nurture the bonds between us of friendship, hope and trust. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who reigns as servant of all. Amen.
Pray: that many communities will use this opportunity to pray together on June 3rd (Ps.133:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/special.grace.for.diamond.jubilee.lunches/29900.htm
Church bell ringing nationally
Churches all over the country will be ringing out their bells simultaneously for three minutes at 8 am on 27th July as part of the London 2012 Festival in celebration of the beginning of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. On the 19 May the Olympic torch began its journey around the country. Churches in the land are invited to ring their bells as the torch passes. The central council of church bell ringers state on their website, ‘If your bell tower is on the route, you should contact your local authority to tell them that you would like to ring as the torch passes. If the route doesn't pass your tower, but goes through the town, it is still worth contacting your local council to see whether they are planning any events to mark the occasion,that you might be able to contribute to.’
Pray: for a mighty call to ring out from our churches across our nation.
More: http://cccbr.org.uk/olympics/torch-relay/
