Russian Patriarch reminds Africans of advantages in following Kremlin’s lead
RNS Meeting with African leaders late last month, Russian Patriarch Kirill boasted of the continued expansion of the Russian Orthodox Church in their countries, paralleling the strategy of the leaders’ host, Russian President Vladimir Putin, to expand Kremlin influence across the continent. The Moscow Patriarchate said it had almost doubled its size in Africa since […]
Angry Russia refuses to speak at UN meeting on its attacks on Ukraine’s key port city of Odesa
United NationsAP In an escalation of Russia’s anger at Ukraine and its Western backers, Russia refused to speak at a UN Security Council meeting called to disuss Moscow’s recent devastating attacks on the key port of Odesa immediately following its refusal to extend the Black Sea grain deal. The confrontation began at the start of a council […]
Russia demands immediate release of Orthodox cleric detained in Ukraine
Reuters Russia on Saturday demanded the immediate release of a senior Orthodox cleric detained in Kyiv on suspicion of inflaming religious hatred and justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Abbot of the Kyiv Pechers Lavra, Metropolitan Pavlo of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, accused of being linked to Moscow, attends a court hearing, amid Russia’s attack on […]
Tough bail conditions set for Ukraine Orthodox cleric
Reuters A Kyiv court on Friday ordered pre-trial detention for a senior cleric of a branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with historic links to Moscow on suspicion of sympathising with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine has been cracking down on the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church on grounds it is pro-Russian and collaborating with Moscow. […]
Orthodox Church: After calendar change, many in Ukraine are looking forward to a new Christmas
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine has further cemented its split from the Russian counterpart it used to be a part of by adopting a new liturgical calendar. DAVID I KLEIN, of Religion News Service, reports…
Doomed or sign of hope?: Pope Francis’ mission for peace in Ukraine is underway
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi returned from Kyiv on Tuesday where he was sent by the Pope to promote a just peace in Ukraine. CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, reports…
Revered icon just handed to Russian Church by Putin remains state property – minister
Reuters A revered religious painting that has just been transferred on President Vladimir Putin’s orders from a museum to the Russian Orthodox Church needs a year of restoration and remains state property, the culture minister was quoted as saying on Friday. Putin, who has found a willing ally in the church for his vision of […]
Transfer of holy icon shows Russian Orthodoxy’s new sway under Putin
Moscow, Russia Reuters President Vladimir Putin’s decision to move one of Russia’s holiest icons from a museum to a Moscow cathedral highlights his growing reliance on the Church as the Ukraine war drags on, but has also raised fears about the safety of the fragile artifact. Emphasising its importance to the faithful, Putin last month […]
Russian Orthodox Church fires archpriest for “obstruction” of icon transfer
Reuters Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, on Saturday dismissed his expert on art and restoration for obstructing the transfer of a historic 15th-century Trinity icon to the church from a Moscow museum. Russian President Vladimir Putin had decided that the icon be handed over to the church from Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery because […]
Ukraine’s main church to switch calendar in move away from Russia
Kyiv, UkraineReuters Ukraine’s main Orthodox church said on Wednesday it had decided to switch to a calendar in which Christmas is celebrated on 25th December, a move that distances it from Russia. Ukrainian Christians, a majority of whom are Orthodox, have traditionally celebrated Christmas on 7th January alongside other predominantly Orthodox Christian countries such as […]