On August 30, the relics of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of All Russia, were brought to the Priamur Metropolitanate in Khabarovsk as part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of his blessed repose. The relics were welcomed by Metropolitan Artemiy and Governor Dmitry Demeshin and were placed in the Transfiguration Cathedral, where liturgies, prayers, and pilgrimages took place over three days. A poetic and journalistic presentation titled "In the Hour of God's Anger" was held on August 31, showcasing the life of Patriarch Tikhon during the persecutions of 1917, leaving a profound impact on the audience, including schoolchildren.

On September 1, several Local Orthodox Churches marked the beginning of the new liturgical year, or indiction. Ceremonies were held in churches following the New Julian or Gregorian calendars, including the Churches of Greece, Cyprus, Constantinople, Bulgaria, and Poland. Believers gathered for festive liturgies and prayers for blessings in the coming year.

In the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, a solemn liturgy was held on September 1 at the Cathedral of St. Great Martyr Nedelya in Sofia, led by Patriarch Daniel. In his archpastoral address, he called on the faithful to engage in fervent prayer, repentance, and acts of mercy, emphasizing that faith should manifest in purity of thought and active love for others, especially the suffering and oppressed.

On September 2, the first joint liturgy of the heads of the Orthodox Church in America and the Macedonian Orthodox Church took place at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington. Metropolitan Tikhon officially recognized the autocephaly of the Macedonian Church by including Archbishop Stefan's name in the diptychs. The service was attended by hierarchs from the U.S., Canada, Serbia, clergy, and believers, including the Macedonian diaspora. A festive reception followed at the Macedonian embassy.

In Ukraine, the mobilization of clergy from the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) continues. In the Rivne region, military officials took Priest Vladimir Glavatsky during a funeral service, and Bishop Serafim of Novovorontsovsk was sent to serve as a soldier in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, actions that contradict church canons. Similar incidents have been reported across the country, with authorities increasing pressure on the UOC, leading to numerous criminal cases against clergy and the transfer of hundreds of churches to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

In Estonia, a court has ordered the eviction of the Estonian Orthodox Church's office. The Harju County Court upheld the Tallinn City Council's decision to terminate the lease agreement with the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (formerly the Moscow Patriarchate) and mandated the church to vacate its historic office building. This situation is part of the ongoing persecution faced by the Estonian Orthodox Church over the past three years. Metropolitan Eugene, leading a community of about 40,000 believers, has lost his residency permit and manages his diocese from Russia. The court's decision coincided with the adoption of a law restricting the activities of structures associated with the Russian Church. The Estonian Church plans to contest the eviction in the European Court of Human Rights.

In Finland, the government is cutting funding for religious organizations. This week, the Finnish Orthodox Church opposed a proposed reduction of state subsidies by €200,000 annually for 2026-2027. The church administration emphasized that this funding constitutes about one-third of the FOC's income and is essential for spiritual service, educational activities, social assistance, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The church believes that the funding cuts will severely limit its capabilities and impact congregations and communities. The Evangelical Lutheran Church also criticized the proposed measures, stating that the funding cuts will affect parishioners, especially low-income families.

The crisis at St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai, Egypt, took a new turn this week. On September 4, Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem sent a letter to Archbishop Damian of Sinai, demanding his presence at a Holy Synod meeting on September 8 to explain the crisis at the monastery. The patriarch expressed sorrow over the events "grieving the Church" and called for the monastery's gates to be opened and the expelled monks to be returned. The conflict surrounding the monastery has escalated following decisions by the Egyptian court and the Greek parliament affecting the monastery's land and property rights. Attempts at reconciliation mediated by Athens have failed, and the monastery has been temporarily closed to pilgrims, causing dissatisfaction among Egyptian authorities. The situation has caused divisions within the Orthodox world: Constantinople confirmed its support for Damian, while the Jerusalem Patriarchate sided with the brother