In Bulgaria, scientists test possible remains of John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist

Some archaeologists in Bulgaria believe they have unearthed what might be the remains of John the Baptist.

Reportedly, the earthly remains of what could be the saint were found near the city of Sozopol. The discovery occurred while scientists were investigating Sv. Ivan (St. John) Island. Currently, tests are ongoing to determine if the remains of are authentic.

Bulgaria's cultural minister, Vezhdi Rashidov, urged caution on the part of people in believing in the validity of the remains until tests have been concluded and the results revealed.

New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to the study of faith and religion in the United States and worldwide. A vital part of the seminary's mission is the preparation of men and women from various backgrounds for ministry.

Commission paves way for a new Muslim center near WTC site

A group is attempting to build a Muslim community center within blocks of the 9/11 attacks, in Lower Manhattan.

The New York City Landmarks Commission recently denied "historic status" to a building constructed in the 19th century nearby the site of the World Trade Center attacks. By doing this, the commission has cleared the way for a group seeking to build a 15-story Muslim community center.

The new community center is expected to be named the Cordoba House, in honor of the medieval Spanish city where Christians, Jews and Muslims lived in peace and tolerance for nearly a millennium. The developers of this project are hoping to build a center that encourages peace, diversity, and reconciliation between people.

While the project has many supporters, it also has many detractors who criticize the construction of a Muslim community center so close to where the attacks took place.

During the Sept. 11th attacks, many faculty members and students from the New York Theological Seminary assisted with the effort in Lower Manhattan. Likewise, volunteers from NYTS served for long periods of time during the period after the attacks.

Denomination garners trend-busting success as others shrink

The Church of God of Prophecy has grown to about 1.5 million members today, up from 1.3 million in 2008. At the denomination's recent annual meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, it was reported that most of the growth taking place in COGOP is in Africa.

This upward membership trend by the COGOP, which remains true to its Pentecostal roots, bucks an overall experience of declining church membership in many other Christian denominations.

In the COGOP's case, the denomination was established in 1886 as the Christian Union. The union reformed as a denomination in 1903 and subsequently adopted its new name in 1907.

With a growing denomination already enjoying great numerical success, according to church leaders, future goals include even more churches and new members for upcoming years.

New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to the study of faith and religion, through the United States and around the globe. NYTS is committed to diversity, social ministry and training men and women to the highest standards within ministry.

Clergy suffers obesity, hypertension, depression at higher rates

According to a recent study, members of the clergy suffer from higher levels of obesity, hypertension and depression than most Americans. In addition, during the last 10 years, the use of antidepressants by clergy has increased as clergy members' life-expectancy has fallen.

And, one study has concluded, if many felt they could change their jobs then they would. Public health experts do not have any easy explanations about why clergy members are experience dramatically decreased quality of life. Duke University's Assistant Professor Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell said many members of the clergy feel compelled to assist people in need and sometimes find themselves called upon around-the-clock. One pastor in a study group hadn't had a vacation in nearly two decades.

New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to preparing men and women, from a wide variety of backgrounds, for ministry. With a focus upon serving in urban settings, NYTS seeks to prepare ministers for service in a global, diverse and multi-faceted world of faith.

Dubious 'nun' found fleecing the faithful in Little Italy

It's a common enough story nowadays: Someone who is not a member of the clergy (though posing as one) collecting donations for themselves, rather than any charitable cause. Yet, every now and again such people do get caught, as did a New York City woman recently who had posed as an Episcopal nun for about a decade in Little Italy. She has reportedly been collecting donations for various 'causes.'

Meanwhile, "Sister Milindia" has never been heard of by the Episcopal Church, and was reportedly arrested, in 1997, for misrepresenting herself as a nun in the Bronx.

New York Theological Seminary is an institution that is dedicated to preparing men and women from various backgrounds for the ministry. NYTS is committed to educating its students to the highest standards of ministerial preparedness.