A Russian Orthodox priest who took part in services for Navalny is suspended by the Patriarch
AP The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Chuch has suspended a priest who participated in services for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Dmitry Safronov took part in Navalny’s funeral as well as presiding at the commemoration on 26th March, the 40th day after his death – an important Russian Orthodox tradition. A woman touches a […]
Church hosting Navalny’s funeral is steeped in the war he opposed
Reuters Alexei Navalny was a Christian who condemned the invasion of Ukraine as a crazy enterprise built on lies. But the church that was designated to host his funeral has donated to the Russian army and enthusiastically advertised its backing for the war. Navalny, Russia’s best known opposition politician, died suddenly on 16th February in […]
Estonia tells its top Russian Orthodox clergyman to leave the country
Reuters Estonia has told the head of its branch of the Russian Orthodox Church to leave the country, calling him a threat to national security, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported on Thursday. Valeri Reshetnikov, who heads the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate as Metropolitan Eugene, was refused an extension of his residence permit […]
On Orthodox Christmas Putin vows to back soldiers who “defend” Russia
Reuters President Vladimir Putin vowed on the eve of Orthodox Christmas to back soldiers who “with arms in hands” defend Russia’s interests, ordering his government greater support of those who fight and calling on his people to be merciful and just. “Many of our men, our courageous, heroic guys, Russian warriors, even now, on this […]
Ukraine says it shot down Russian fighter jets and drones as the country officially marks Christmas
Kyiv, UkraineAP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday hailed the shooting down of two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve and said “this Christmas sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.” In a Christmas message marking the first time the country has officially observed the holiday on 25th December rather than 7th January, […]
“Walking where our ancestors walked”: Anchorage’s oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration project
MARK THIESSEN, of Associated Press, reports…
Russian Orthodox Church appoints Putin’s spiritual adviser Metropolitan of Crimea
RNS The Russian Orthodox Church has installed one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies as the highest-ranking church leader in Crimea. “His Eminence of Simferopol and Crimea, the head of the Crimean Metropolis is to be His Eminence Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov and Porkhov with his release from the administration of the Pskov Metropolis,” the […]
Fate of historic Sofia church unclear as Bulgaria accuses abbot of spying for Russia
RNS After three high-ranking members of the Russian Orthodox Church were expelled from Bulgaria on charges of espionage last month, their former church is not only at the centre of a diplomatic rift between the Russian and Bulgarian governments but an ecclesiastical one between the two countries’ Orthodox churches. On 21st September, Bulgarian authorities arrived […]
Orthodox Church: Ukrainian churches purge vestiges of Russian influence
For centuries, Orthodox Ukrainians saw the traditional Julian calendar as one of the anchors of their church’s identity. Now many are switching to the Gregorian calendar. MEAGAN SALIASHVILI reports for Religion News Service…
“No place in the church”: Russian Orthodox priests face persecution from state and church for supporting peace in Ukraine
KOSTYA MANENKOV, of Associated Press, report on the pressure and actions targeting Orthodox priests who have opposed Russia’s war in Ukraine…