A devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, killing more than 250 people, leaving thousands injured, and causing widespread destruction. Patriarch Kirill sent condolences to the country’s president and the families of the dead, calling for prayers for the wounded and rescue workers. Orthodox communities in the region are participating in relief efforts, including support for Venezuelan refugees. The Serbian Orthodox Church urged believers to pray for the victims, injured, children, and rescuers, and to help through donations and participation in humanitarian actions. Catholic dioceses also organized assistance for evacuees, and Pope Leo XIV reportedly sent €100,000 for emergency needs.

On Mount Athos, the 1,400th anniversary of the first performance of the Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated. The main festivities took place at the Dionysiou monastery, where the revered “Akathist Icon” of the Mother of God is kept and services are performed daily before the shrine. According to church tradition, the Akathist was first sung in Constantinople in 626 after the city was freed from the siege by the Avars and Persians. Believers reportedly stood through the entire night in thanksgiving. Commemorations also occurred in other historic sites across Greece, while Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated a service at the Church of Blachernae in Istanbul. The anniversary was also marked in Poland with celebrations for the Supraśl (Supraśl) Icon of the Mother of God.

The Orthodox Church of Crete organized food assistance for residents affected by large wildfires at the end of July. In parishes and monasteries across all metropolises, collections of olive oil will be gathered and delivered through the Metropolises of Limnos, Sfyratos, and Sphakia. The hardest-hit area was around Rethymno, where the fire covered about 5,200 hectares; thousands of residents were evacuated and homes, farmland, and olive groves were destroyed. Two firefighters died while battling the blaze. The church continues to pray for the dead and support affected families.

The Albanian Orthodox Church responded to the killing of a 20-year-old young man in Korçë. Archbishop John of Albania, speaking in Tirana, linked the spread of aggression and violence to spiritual emptiness and the lack of a healthy atmosphere within the family. He emphasized that parents bear special responsibility for raising children and must themselves set an example of a good life. Metropolitan Anastasios of Korçë, reflecting on the tragedy, stated that human life is a sacred gift of God and that nothing can justify taking it. The Church called for resisting anger, pride, and hostility through faith and spiritual upbringing.

The Bulgarian Church expressed concern about rising social aggression. In a message to the faithful, the Holy Synod called for prayers for the repose of Georgi Kouzev, 37, who died after a brutal attack by a group of teenagers in Plovdiv. At his funeral on August 14, Plovdiv Metropolitan Nicholas spoke about spiritual causes of the tragedy, citing the loss of faith, love, and respect for human life. The Synod urged resistance to violence and indifference, prayer for Bulgaria’s children, and becoming examples of justice and respect for them. It also called for prayers for those who committed the crime—so they may recognize the gravity of what they did and come to repentance.

In Zugdidi, construction began on a Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker at the site of a church destroyed during the Soviet period. Metropolitan Gerasim of Zugdidi and Tsaish inscribed the foundation blessing and laid the cornerstone, after which a memorial cross was installed on the site. Before the start of construction, the hierarch handed over an icon of St. Nicholas, and donors presented a carved wooden crucifix. The eparchy said the rebuilding reflects a long-standing desire to restore a destroyed shrine and preserve the region’s Christian heritage.

During the same week, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil joined pilgrims on the “Rila Wonderworker” mountain route dedicated to St. John of Rila. The path symbolically repeats the journey of the saint’s relics in 1469, moved from Tarnovo via Sofia to the Rila Monastery. At the Seven Rila Lakes (at an altitude of 2,282 meters), the Patriarch celebrated a water-blessing service and urged pilgrims to preserve unity, avoid discord, and place spiritual values above material ones. The pilgrimage concluded with a festive Divine Liturgy at the Rila monastery. Separately in Sofia, at the Alexander Nevsky memorial church, a spiritual musical poem titled “Rila Hermit” was performed, dedicated to the 1,150th anniversary of St. John of Rila’s birth and the 1,080th anniversary of his repose.

In Washington, celebrations honored St. Herman of Alaska, one of the first Orthodox missionaries in North America. Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America highlighted his example of prayer, humility, and service to people. In the late 18th century, St. Herman traveled to Alaska, educating locals, defending the Aleuts, helping the poor and sick, establishing a school for orphans, and living in solitude on Spruce Island. The metropolitan said St. Herman’s life shows that true greatness is defined not by external achievements, but by the “hidden work of the heart” and love of neighbor.