There is so much to like about The Tale of Despereaux: it’s visually beguiling; it features genuinely original characters, given voice by a star-studded cast; it eschews crudity and pop-culture references; and it’s not screamy or exhausting. Why, then, did I find my interest evaporating within an hour of leaving the theater? I have a hunch — but let’s deal with the basics first.

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided at the funeral services for Patriarch Aleksy II of Moscow and All Russia in Christ the Savior Cathedral, December 9, 2008.

[YONKERS, NY] Renowned liturgist The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Robert F. Taft, S.J. will present the keynote address at an international academic symposium titled “The Past and Future of Liturgical Theology: Celebrating the Legacy of Father Alexander Schmemann,” to be held at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVS), from January 29–31, 2009.

New York, NY (Dec. 08, 2008) – Last evening, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America departed for Moscow, accompanied by Archdeacon Pandeleimon, in order to join the Official Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the funeral of the late Patriarch Alexy II.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew greets Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George for the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle.

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] -- His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah has received news that early on the morning of Friday, December 5, 2008, His Holiness, Patriarch Aleksy II of Moscow and All Russia fell asleep in the Lord.

May the memory of His Holiness, Patriarch Aleksy II of Moscow and All Russia be eternal!

Moscow, December 5 (Interfax) — Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and all Russia has died in his residence in Peredelkino, Moscow region, "about an hour or an hour and half ago," according to the press secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate, Priest Vladimir Vigilyansky.

The following is a greeting by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW To the Delegation of the Church of Rome At the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (November 30, 2008). It has been the custom for some time that the churches exchange delegation for the thronal feasts.

The Encyclical written by the Chairman of SCOBA, of which OCN is an agency, is available below.

St. Vladimir's Seminary, Yonkers, NY — From November 21–22, 2008, St. Vladimir's Seminary (SVS) warmly welcomed back to its campus an alumnus, James Paffhausen—but this time as His Beatitude Jonah, metropolitan of All North America and Canada of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) and new president of the seminary.

New Anniversary Scholarships Established Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology announce the establishment of two new scholarships as part of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of Hellenic College, the only fully accredited Orthodox Christian four year liberal arts institution of higher learning in America.

This video shows the election and installation of Metropolitan Jonah at the recent OCA conference. View the full story to see the video.

PITTSBURGH, PA [OCA Communications] -- On Wednesday, November 12, 2008, His Grace, Bishop Jonah of Fort Worth was elected Archbishop of Washington and New York and Metropolitan of All America and Canada at the 15^th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America.

IOCC Sunday is coming up on November 23, and the Hierarch of SCOBA have released the following encyclical to be read in all Orthodox Churches under their pastoral care.

At the personal invitation of Pope Benedict XVI, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the 12th General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church. This was the first time ever that an Ecumenical Patriarch has addressed this gathering.

EWTN will broadcast the speech of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the World Synod of Catholic Bishops on October 18th.

REGISTER NOW!!! 2009 Orthodox Christian Camp Conference and Youth Worker Conference on the topic, “Protecting our Youth” - January 22-24, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale - home of OCN!

At a recent meeting in the Phanar representatives of the Orthodox Churches met to discuss a range of issues. The Primates have issued a statement, parts of which are of keen interest to Americans.

This is the text of a speech given by Patriarch Bartholomew at the Synaxis (gathering) of the heads of the Orthodox Churches on October 10th, 2008. Text also available in Greek and Russian.

Baltimore, Maryland (IOCC) — Last summer, Greece’s Peloponnese region lost thousands of acres and livestock to the worst wildfires in 100 years. Among those who lost their lives were three firemen